Bradford City: The Nahk is Back

Article by Bradford City Correspondent Tim Feather

Bradford City 3-3 Coventry City- Att. 14,322 (717 away)

SkyBet League One

17/11/13

The Sky Sports cameras really did pick a fantastic game to replace their normal Super Sunday programme due to the international break. It was a game which exhibited the two best strike forces in the league, Leon Clark and Callum Wilson, and Nakhi Wells and James Hanson.

The day got off to a farcical start when a mix up in the Bradford City defence, caused Rory McArdle to collide with keeper Jon McLaughlin, the ball fell to Andrew Webster who lashed the ball into an empty goal. Coventry City then doubled their lead, Rory McArdle failed to clear his lines and Callum Wilson ran through one on one with McLaughlin who saved but Leon Clarke coolly finished off. It could have been worse for Bradford, they could have been down by three within ten minutes. McArdle again failed to clear and it was Callum Wilson this time who was one on one with McLaughlin, but the City keeper did enough to save with his foot.

The Bantams were accused by manager Phil Parkinson of lacking fight last week in their 3-0 loss to Rotherham, but Bradford fought back. They went near when Nahki Wells’ cross found Kyel Reid who slid in at the far post but he was not able to keep the shot under the bar. Coventry City then had a penalty claim when Rory McArdle upended Conor Thomas on the edge of the area but referee; Kevin Friend waved away strong protests from Coventry.

Bradford continued to pile the pressure on for a life line and they got one; Kyel Reid’s long ball over the top caused the Sky Blues’ keeper, Joe Murphy, to have a rush of blood to the head, he lost out to a header to James Hanson and Wells gambled on Jordan Clarke to miss kick his clearance. Wells controlled the ball before finishing off well. The scores were level just before the half hour mark, a free kick was played deep into Coventry’s half and Hanson’s flick on was bravely finished by Nahki Wells. However, against the run of play a swift move from Coventry City, found Callum Wilson whos’ thunderbolt shot beat McLaughlin at his front post.

Bradford came out in the second half desperate for an equaliser. They went close when a Mark Yeates cross found James Hanson but he was unable to keep his header under the bar. However, with thirty seconds left to play there was controversy. Stephen Darby played a long ball but Jordan Clarke raised his hands when challenging for a header and Mr Friend was in no doubt it was handball and he pointed to the penalty spot. He waved away heavy protests from Coventry. Nahki Wells dispatched the penalty and to receive the match ball and win the Bantams a very valuable point.

It was a game where defensively both teams were extremely poor, Bradford City failed to do the basics correctly. McArdle, who passed a late fitness test after returning from international duty, took time to get his head into the game. Coventry played a high line against a Bradford team who thrive off of the long ball. Steven Pressley’s comments after the game were derogatory of the Bantams direct style despite it being no secret as to the way Bradford play. City boss, Phil Parkinson praised the spirit and fight that was shown by his side, to come back from 2-0 down was something to be admired. Bradford dropped out of the playoff places into 7th with 24 points.

Bradford: McLaughlin, Darby, Meredith, Doyle, McArdle, Bates (Connell- 83’), Thompson (Yeates- 68’), Jones, Reid (De Vita- 85’), Hanson, Wells.

Unused Substitutes - Kennedy, Ripley, Taylor, Folan

Coventry: Murphy, Christie, Adams, Thomas, Clarke, Webster, Barker, Fleck, Wilson,
Clarke, Moussa (Phillips- 85’)

Unused Substitutes - Burge, Barton, Daniels, Loza, Garner, Haynes

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