Match Report 2001-2002

Saturday 17 November, 2001, Division One

Walsall At Valley Parade

Stan-jo

Before City eased past a Walsall side that looks like it will struggle to stay in Division One there was a balloon release in aid of charity. The worst was expected, balloon's trapped in the Valley, parading only under the main stand and being forked to prevent them messing with play.

But no, almost everyone floated higher, over the main stand, and away to the wild blue yonder of Manningham, safely away. It was that kind of afternoon.

City did things right, the simple things that is. Simple passes, simple headers, simple blocks. All done well enough to keep Walsall at bay and claim all three points.

The Bantams had warmed the hands of impressive Saddler's keeper James Walker with a few test shots from range before Eoin Jess took a pass from Gunnar Halle and powered home from distance.

Jess looked impressive coming in off the right wing, things falling into place as Jefferies completes the switch from the complexities of formations past to the ease of the 442. Matthew Etherington provided width on the left, could have had a goal early on when he cut back onto his right and fired a shot that Walker saved. Peter Beagrie would have scored it.

Andy Tod led the line with Robbie Blake toiling alongside him. Blake often prefers to opt for anything other than simple and today was not his day. He ran off Tod, but ended up in the wrong place. He twisted and turned, but ended up on the wrong side of him man and when he came off for Spaniard Juanjo with a quarter of the game remaining Blake stomped down the tunnel, ticked of with how his game had gone more than how Jim Jefferies had subbed him.

So Blake missed the crowning moment of the bitter cold, misty afternoon that put one in mind of the debut of one Stanley Victor Collymore at this time last year. A couple of good touches suggested that City would not allow the rise of Walsall, who by then were enjoying ball but could not hit a cow's backside with a banjo up front, to come to anything.

Etherington crossed from the wing, Juanjo connected with a firm header that beat Walker on his far post. Game, set and match and the Spaniard who turned a cartwheel in celebration.

Time left then for Stuart McCall to lob Walker who caught the ball in the back of the net and sneaked it back into play without anyone wearing black noticing, simple things like telling when the ball crosses the line being beyong the officials it would seem, and for Andy Myers to get the sponsors man of the match to general bemusement until someone pointed out that perhaps there was a reason that the visitors had not converted pressure to goal chances and that reason could surely not be Aidan Davison or Robert Molenaar, who was poor after missing training all week.

So simple things done well and City five games undefeated. Tuesday night at Preston could See City back in the top ten and win bonuses payable agian once more.

The system of bonuses the players and Geoffrey Richmond agreed means more money for wins achieved when higher up in the league. More wins, more money and a higher league position. Simple really.

Man of the Match

Stuart McCall

Kept things ticking over nicely...

City Team:

Davison
Halle Molenaar Myers Jacobs
Jess McCall Locke Etherington
Tod Blake

Subs: Juanjo for Blake