Bradford City

In Saturday's exercise in frustration against Hartlepool United, City had to settle for a point despite registering 18 attempts on goal, with seven on target.

City had a few promising situations on the counter, but could not open the door with that requisite moment of poise and precision and Carlisle - who had a handy spell before the end of the first half - had the reason to be more satisfied. The visitors, not afraid to mix it up and go direct at times, did offer a semblance of threat down the left at junctures and there were a few home flutters in particular when a dangerous cross from Jack Armer flashed across goal when it just required a touch from a United player. A point was not ideal - a fourth successive draw on the spin - and there was no victory to crown Hughes's fiftieth game in charge of the club. Commitment was there in spades in a game which was ferociously competitive, but the trade-off was that it was pretty frantic and lacked genuine goalmouth incident, certainly in the first half. City increased the urgency and tempo in the second half and predictably, it was Cook, who started his career at Brunton Park, who went closest to providing the game breaking moment midway through. On a night when the result was the be-all and end-all, in a 'huge' game as Mark Hughes put it, it was another 'if only' occasion, all rather commonplace for the Bantams in recent seasons.

A fourth draw on the bounce means they are still five points behind the Cumbrians with nine games to go. A Valley Parade crowd of 17,653, the largest for an ...

City’s bright start to the half prompted Carlisle into a double switch as they changed both strikers. Hughes made a treble sub with just over 20 minutes left. The pace remained frantic between two committed sides but it was yet to really settle. Vadaine Oliver had also come on - and went in the book after catching Senior as he lunged for the loose ball as City looked to break upfield from a Carlisle corner. He initially forced his way past Ben Barclay but the centre half recovered to get back and get in the way as Feeney blocked the shot. Jamie Walker and Dara Costelloe both missed out through injury.

The draw in west Yorkshire is 9/4. Inevitably, in-form Bantams frontman Andy Cook leads the betting to be first goalscorer. Cook - who ...

Another 1-0 win for United is 8/1 while a 2-0 home victory - the score in this game last season - is 10/1. Joe Garner is 6/1 for the Blues, with Omari Patrick 17/2 to net first against his former club. United top scorer Kristian Dennis, who is hoping for a recall to the starting line-up, is 11/2 to strike first.

However, it was the Bantams who created by far the better of the chances, with a stern Carlisle defence dwindling as the game boiled down, but ultimately ...

[Liam Ridehalgh](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/01/20/1135203-tranmere-rovers-2-1-boreham-wood-2018-national-league-play-off-final-where-are-they-now.html) on the right hand side to strike a low effort that completely evaded the sprawling Harry Lewis in the Bradford net, but the winger could only watch in desperation as the low dagger smashed off the foot of the post and made it's way out for a throw. Both teams extend their undefeated runs, with Bradford hitting seven and Carlisle reaching six. [Andy Cook,](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/15/1137826-micky-mellon-criticises-tranmere-for-wasting-chances.html) but did find it's way through to Chapman, who could only blaze over with a reactionary effort from the edge of the box. Bradford switched themselves back on in their search for a deadlock breaker, and carved themselves out another big opportunity through the ever-dangerous Banks, who broke through the centre of a cramped midfield before picking out Cook on the right, who did well to hold off the challenge of Armer to strike an effort that was kept out by the massive frame of A deep free-kick was launched into the area in the first minute of six added on at the death, and a poor defensive header from Joe Garner made it's way to the back post was waiting to meet it, but Holy rose up to his weak effort to claim it as Carlisle held on for dear life. [Richie Smallwood](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2021/03/01/1061591-what-is-hull-citys-strongest-side-going-into-the-final-stages-of-the-season.html) picked up possession on the edge of the box before releasing it inside to Cook, who's effort was sublimely blocked onto the bar at the very last moment by Feeney. [Andy Cook](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/13/1137613-bradford-city-vs-tranmere-rovers-league-two-preview-gameweek-31-2023.html) broke forward a couple of minutes later with the same level of energy seemingly found by Mark Hughes' side at the interval, rolling past Morgan Feeney down the right wing to get into the area, but the man who scored twice in Bradford's last game hesitated over whether or not to shoot or release Chapman inside, and his eventual shot was blocked by the recovering Carlisle captain Feeney. [Mark Hughes](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/05/16/1111902-5-free-agents-bradford-city-should-consider.html) named two changes to the side that drew disappointingly to [Hartlepool United](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/02/1139272-tranmere-rovers-vs-hartlepool-united-league-two-preview-gameweek-35-2023.html) at home last time out, with [Jamie Walker](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/14/1137780-four-things-we-learnt-from-bradfords-win-over-tranmere.html) and [Burnley](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/26/1138997-burnley-vs-fleetwood-town-fa-cup-fifth-round-preview-2023.html) man Dara Costelloe being withdrawn in place of [Crystal Palace](https://www.vavel.com/en/data/crystal-palace)'s [Scott Banks](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/08/27/1121226-bradford-city-0-0-crewe-alexandra-bantams-and-alex-play-out-stalemate.html) and former [Blackburn Rovers](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/01/1139175-leicester-city-1-2-blackburn-rovers-post-match-player-ratings.html) winger [Harry Chapman.](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/04/12/1108255-burton-albion-0-0-wigan-athletic-brave-brewers-hold-leaders-to-stalemate.html) [Stevenage](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/03/13/1140569-dagenhamredbridge-vs-oldham-national-league-preview-gameweek-39-2023.html) in their last game, as Paul Huntington, [Omari Patrick](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2021/08/05/1081012-shrewsbury-town-vs-burton-albion-preview-how-to-watch-team-news-predicted-lineups-and-ones-to-watch.html) and [Joe Garner](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2020/09/11/1036538-ipswich-town-vs-wigan-athletic-preview-how-to-watch-kick-off-time-predicted-line-ups-and-ones-to-watch.html) were replaced by Ben Barclay, [Ryan Edmondson](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/02/02/1100390-leeds-united-loanee-ryan-edmondson-delighted-to-get-his-first-goal-for-port-vale.html) and [Kristian Dennis.](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/01/30/1136201-carlisle-united-vs-barrow-league-2-preview-gameweek-28-2023.html) [Paul Simpson](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/01/26/1135774-rochdale-vs-carlisle-united-league-2-preview-gameweek-29-2023.html)'s side drew the first chance as Jack Armer broke down the left wing to clip a loose long ball into the path of Joel Senior, who's first-time attempt was blocked by a trailing Sam Stubbs leg. [Bradford City](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/28/1139119-efl-midweek-round-up-play-off-and-relegation-races-heat-up.html) will be coming away from their promotion six-pointer with [Carlisle United](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/05/1136829-league-two-round-up-stockport-move-into-the-play-offs-whilst-leyton-orient-and-gillingham-win-vital-games.html) wondering how a winner was never found in a 0-0 draw. However, it was the Bantams who created by far the better of the chances, with a stern Carlisle defence dwindling as the game boiled down, but ultimately neither side could come up with the goods in a tense and fiery exchange.

Mansfield Town under-19s are back in action this afternoon for a Youth Alliance League fixture against Bradford City at Bodington Football Hub (1pm ...

Right-back Taylor Anderson and Abdullah featured on the first team’s bench when Nigel Clough’s side visited Edgeley Park on Saturday in a game which ended 1-1 against Stockport County in Sky Bet League Two. Sam Collins’ side put on a top display as a unit which allowed them to see out the encounter and secure the points. The young Stags return to action today as they travel to Bradford City to face the Bantams in a rescheduled clash that was originally set to be played on Saturday 11 March - but was postponed due to heavy snowfall.

Andy Cook rightfully took the plaudits despite a frustrating Bradford City performance against Hartlepool United. Reaching 25 goals for the season is a ...

If Bradford City are to finish this season in the play offs or better, then we may need to find more ways rather than solely relying on Cook. The Bantams hoped to face Carlisle United having closed the gap on the top two but instead the automatic places are slipping away. The fact the team are now contenders for automatic promotion must be beyond most expectations.

Jordan Gibson came millimetres away from a dramatic winner with the last kick of the game when the sub's shot hit the inside of the post. Bradford had also ...

Cook was denied late on by Tomas Holy before, with the final kick, Gibson – booed on by fans of his former club – sent a left-footed drive past keeper Harry Lewis, against the inside of the post and clear as Bradford, who are now fifth, survived at the death. Senior then did well to deny Chapman before Cook saw a deflected attempt dip against the angle of post and bar. Joel Senior had an effort blocked at the edge of the box before Chapman skied one from a good position on the break for Bradford. Bradford had also earlier struck the woodwork through Andy Cook in a game where United had the better of the first half before going on the defensive after the break. A 16th clean sheet of the season extended an unbeaten run to six games as United now prepare for their second of a three-game run of away fixtures at Gillingham this weekend. Jordan Gibson came millimetres away from a dramatic winner with the last kick of the game when the sub's shot hit the inside of the post.

Mark Hughes' Bantams were held to a 0-0 draw with Carlisle United at the University of Bradford Stadium. In an even encounter where both teams cancelled ...

City's No.9 again came closest in the second half to breaking the deadlock. Cook chased the ball down and wriggled away from a few Carlisle defenders, but was tackled by a another before being able to get a shot on goal. In a cagey opening, the Bantams' first chance came from Harry Chapman.

Mark Hughes was pleased with the commitment his players showed and was encouraged by a "dominant" second-half display, as City were caught in a stalemate ...

“We wanted to take more points off them. We did everything we could, but we were up against a good side. We wanted to damage them and draw them closer to us in the table. “When you have done everything right leading up to the shot, you need the ball to drop for you. The 59-year-old felt his side were unlucky in attacking areas - insisting City “had done everything right” - and urged the Bantams to continue causing a threat creatively. It is what we need.

VERDICT: An absorbing, urgent but ultimately bloodless game saw Carlisle back into the automatic promotion places and a potential rival kept at heel.

No goals at all – but ample drama, a fair result and degrees of quality and endeavour that you had to admire. A while later, when Cook received the ball in the box, blue-shirted players appeared from all angles to try and stop him. Simpson’s changes – Patrick and Garner for Edmondson and Dennis – occupied Bradford but not in a punishing way. Andy Cook, inevitably, came closest, hitting the crossbar and on a couple of occasions making United defend at their most desperately (in a good way). United had the better of the first half, Bradford more of the second. An absorbing, urgent but ultimately bloodless game saw Carlisle back into the automatic promotion places and a potential rival kept at heel.

A brilliant game between two promotion contenders ends in a draw that helps Carlisle more than the Bantams.

It proved to be a shrewd move, leading to a final quarter of the game that City undoubtedly shaded. And given eighth-place Mansfield – just outside the play offs – have two games in hand on everyone, the fact City are now five points ahead of the Stags could be crucial. The big striker was also slightly lucky that a robust challenge on Barclay only resulted in a yellow card. Gilliead was pushed up to the number 10 role, with Banks and Chapman dropping back and finding space to operate. City emerged for the second half in a 4-2-3-1, and looked much more accomplished for it. After the 1-1 draw with Mansfield in early February, there was rightly a lot of attention on the fact City were starting games well but struggling to carry it through over the 90 minutes. And though it would be abandoned in the second half, the reset was good for Alex Gilliead and Richie Smallwood especially. The first 30 minutes were even, with Carlisle 5-3-2 solid, slightly dour, but clever in giving the middle three space to attack. They had Carlisle on the ropes for a time, but couldn’t deliver a knock out blow. The reality for City is they remain five points off third-place Carlisle with nine games left to play. The Carlisle manager Paul Simpson, who as a player is famous in these parts for once hitting the width of a post, will have left Valley Parade ruing the fact one of his players – the former Bantam Jordan Gibson – matched him in smacking a long rage shot against the woodwork, this time with the last kick of the game. Where a confident Carlisle team, with a healthy advantage in the table, crucially kept them at arm’s length.

Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson slammed what he described as “disgusting” comments aimed at him from some Bradford City fans.

“The players put on a performance to keep them with us. “I don’t agree with it. “They were just silly little kids, and I told the steward about it. Simpson, asked if he could explain what was said, added to the News & Star: “I don’t even want to give them the credit for it. Simpson said the nature of the stick was “unacceptable” and led him to report the matter to a steward during the 0-0 draw. “The majority of them [here] are fantastic fans, but there were some idiots sat behind me who were saying things to me that were unacceptable,” he said.

CARLISLE boss Paul Simpson couldn't imagine the reaction if Jordan Gibson had scored a last-gasp winner at Valley Parade.

“I know Bradford were on the back of three draws and weren’t quite getting wins before the game. “The back three were absolutely outstanding,” said Simpson. I think this is a really big point at a tough place to come and it keeps us ticking along nicely. “I thought we played really well first half. “But I think we’ve shown character, personality and real strength of desire to want to keep the ball out the back of the net. Neither one were settling for a draw.

BRADFORD City moved to fifth in League 2 after a stalemate against one of their promotion rivals at Valley Parade last night.

Very solid last night against a team that don't look to dissimilar to ourselves. We need wins not draws. Imperative for me to get him in the defensive line.

Paul Simpson felt Carlisle United earned a “brilliant” point after going toe-to-toe with Bradford City in an absorbing draw at Valley Parade.

“Credit to the players for doing that. “I think the players showed different sides over the first and second half. “I thought we turned the opportunity down to shoot too many times, but it’s also just about getting quality when we were in there. “They threw bodies forward and, I’ve got to say, Cook is a proper handful isn’t he? That second half is just as important as the football in the first half – you have to have that. “There were a lot of good things in the second half to back up the really good football that we had first half.

Harry Lewis praised the Bantams' recent defensive performances, following another clean sheet in last night's stalemate with Carlisle United.

We had chances to win the game, but so did they. “A goalkeeper’s job is to be there when your team needs you. After Saturday we were disappointed - we did more than enough to win the game. “When we come back, every game is going to be a battle. From Grimsby onwards, it is going to be everything we have got. “We stood up to them well, and I thought a point was fair on reflection.”

Bradford City AFC is devastated to learn of the passing of the founder of Bradford's Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU), Professor David Sharpe ...

He retired in 2014, after a career in plastic surgery spanning 40 years. The thoughts of all at Bradford City AFC are with those who knew Professor David Sharpe at this difficult time. Bradford City AFC is devastated to learn of the passing of the founder of Bradford’s Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU), Professor David Sharpe OBE, aged 77.