Written by Tim Penfold (images by John Dewhirst)

Bradford City came back from a self-inflicted deficit to see off a spirited but limited Colchester side and pick up their first win of the season.

Mark Hughes made two changes from the midweek game against Accrington, swapping out the wing-backs for the more attack minded Daniel Oyegoke and Alex Gilliead, but otherwise maintained the 3-4-3 system which he has started the season with.

City started fairly brightly, moving the ball quickly in possession and finding space down the flanks – and then, ten minutes in, shot themselves in the foot. Harry Lewis received a backpass then dallied on the ball in the box, completely oblivious to the striker closing him down. Inevitably, he lost the ball and after a brief scramble it was 1-0 to Colchester.

Frustration levels rose from the home crowd, not helped by more sloppy play from the Bantams and the usual levels of inconsistent refereeing. Jamie Walker was clattered, with no free kick being given, and limped off a few minutes later to be replaced by Tyler Smith.

City started to get themselves back into the game as the half went on. Clarke Oduor sparkled, slipping Andy Cook through to have a shot stopped at the near post then finding space to drag a shot wide from distance and linking up well with Oyegoke down the right. One set piece brought a good chance for Matty Platt well saved from the keeper, and finally the breakthrough was made.

Lewis’ long goal kick was flicked on by Cook to Smith, who found space down the side of the visitors’ defence and fizzed a cross-shot in. It was saved, but the rebound went straight on to Oduor’s head a few yards out. It was almost impossible to miss, and Oduor got the goal his performance deserved.

The second half started with the Bantams on top and Colchester pinned into their own half. Smith’s movement caused major issues, dragging the defence out of position. Oduor was also causing major issues and had one shot from a corner tipped on to the bar and over – naturally, the referee missed this and gave a goal kick. Gilliead then burst through the middle from wing back and slipped a pass through to Smith, whos shot was blocked – another goal seemed inevitable.

It came just before the hour mark, with a quick move from the back. Gilliead broke through the middle and passed to Oduor, whose clever flick set Pattison through. Andy Cook was screaming for the pass to his left, but Pattison instead finished brilliantly, firing the ball into the bottom corner.

Colchester were rocking, and City initially tried to press for the third goal. Oduor was causing havoc, and on the counter he fizzed a cross just past a sliding Cook at the far post. This was his last major action in the game, however, as he was surprisingly substituted for Emmanuel Osadebe.

It was at this point that the home side fell into the trap that they’d fallen into too many times last season. They sat back and hoped to see out the single goal victory, and in doing so let Colchester back into the game. Without Oduor, and with Osadebe having little to no impact in his place, there was suddenly no real threat on the counter, and Colchester monopolised possession and territory.

Hughes went safety-first with his later subs, bringing on Brad Halliday and Liam Ridehalgh, while moving Oyegoke into the back three in place of Ciaran Kelly, who had suffered a bang on the head. Kevin McDonald also replaced Smallwood at the back of the midfield, and Osadebe dropped back to make the system 3-5-2.

This didn’t really shift the balance of play, however, and Colchester came very close to equalising with a few minutes to go. Harry Lewis, however, made up for his earlier error with a fine save at his near post from Junior Tchamadeu, and Colchester didn’t get as close again.

Finally, in the nine minutes of second half stoppage time, the hosts managed to regain control of the game. The ball was kept better, and kept in the visitors’ half a lot more. Smith nearly rounded off his performance with a goal, but the pass from Cook forced him slightly too wide and he hit the side netting. Finally, the full time whistle came and the Bantams were off the mark for the season.

It was a strange performance at times. Colchester struggled to cope with the high press from City, and there was some excellent interplay and movement between Oduor, Pattison and Smith which caused real problems. On another day we could’ve had three or four goals.

Defensively, however, we still looked wobbly at times. The players look unsure of their positioning at times, and Oyegoke looks uncomfortable positionally when he’s on the right of the back three. This means that sitting deep doesn’t work, as the team just cedes territory and possession without gaining any sort of solidity.

The defensive issues should be solved with time and practice, particularly on the training ground, but they – and the lack of a natural left wing back – are the main limiters of this team at the moment. The big priority for the rest of the transfer window must be extra strengthening on the flanks, and if that happens there is the potential for this team to challenge again.

Categories: Match Reviews

Tags: 2023/24, BCAFC, Colchester United, League Two