Match Report 2002-2003
Tuesday 10 September, 2002, League Cup
Wrexham away
One of the things I like most about Nicky Law is that he has seemed to tune into what Bradford City fans, or at least this Bradford City fan wants. Tonight Danny Forrest was given his debut. Jim Jefferies flirted with playing Forrest put as usual Jim lacked the courage of his convictions. No such accusation could be levelled at Law who seems to believe that if a player is in the squad then he is worth a game.
Forrest looks every inch of a prospect. He is big for his 17 years and 10 months, confident too and a problem for defenders. The new Michael Owen? One thing is for sure we will never find out if Danny Forrest and his peers are left on the bench while contracts and appearances are given to the likes of Juanjo and Andy Tod.
I also like Nicky Law's style. He let the players in from the crisp air at half time for long enough to shout a few choice words about the wretched first half and then sent them back to stand around and think about how to win this game.
The first half Wrexham enjoyed the lion's share of the ball and the chances and should have scored when Jeff Whitley, once of Manchester City fame, got behind Andy Myers but put his shot at Aidan Davison.
City got little better at the start of the second half. Forrest worked his legs off and was replaced by Juanjo with Danny Cadamarteri going back up front. It took 75 for Cadders to get City's first decent chance, a stinging shot from the edge of the box. He followed that up with a close range effort that should have been hit quicker and suddenly City looked like they had woken up.
Michael Standing curled one wide and it looked like City would go on to show a touch more class. It was not to be and Aidan Davison was forced into heroics to get City towards extra time. Ashley Ward had other ideas when Claus Jorgensen flipped a ball into him. Ward, who to his credit was never the problem tonight, pushed the ball back into the path of Danny Cadamarteri who slammed home.
Of course Wrexham equalised. Robert Molenaar did his tiller girl impression at the back and Andy Morell hit home from close range.
The sucker punch came two minutes into stoppage time. The improbably named Carlos Edward got onto a cross and that was that for the League Cup for another year.
It's Nicky Law's show, this club called Bradford City, and I for one would not have liked to have been on the coach home with the manager.
Man of the Match
Danny Cadamarteri
Did most of the good things that City did.