| Stevenage 1 |
| White 18 |
| Bradford City 1 |
| Byrne 3 |
Words and images by Adam Raj
Second vs Third. Stevenage vs Bradford City. Not many would’ve thought those would be the league standings when this fixture was announced. But, in what has been an opening few months of surprising contenders in League One, it was yet another top of the table clash for the Bantams and another on the road. The last one, away at Cardiff yielded arguably the performance of the season but as a spectacle, this afternoon’s encounter couldn’t have been more different.
City’s tie at the Cardiff City Stadium was a fantastic footballing affair with some real good quality on display from both sides. The Lamex however, would not allow for such quality.
Stylistically, Stevenage are unapologetically a big, physical, long ball side. They play for set pieces and second balls, with their main goal threat coming from captain Carl Piergianni causing chaos on a set piece. They won’t win any prizes for entertainment but what they do has brought them success.
They have also benefitted from a settled side, specifically at centre half where Piergianni and Charlie Goode have played every game together. City do not have that luxury, with a significant injury list growing further. Stephen Humphrys and Antoni Sarcevic the latest to be unavailable following last week’s draw with Barnsley.
Will Swan and Tyreik Wright got the nod to replace them with Ciaran Kelly chosen ahead of Tom McIntyre.
The game couldn’t have started any better with City taking the lead after three minutes. Swan found himself in behind the home defence, he cut it back to Ibou Touray who crossed for Neill Byrne to volley home from just inside the box. Byrne’s strike took a big deflection that wrong footed keeper Filip Marschall into the far corner.
The game naturally settled into the ding dong Stevenage wanted it to be. There was very little control from either side, the ball spending more time out of play than in and the home side benefitting from a truly atrocious refereeing performance. Sam Allison set the precedent within the first five minutes with some incredibly soft fouls in favour of the home side after the most minimal of contact. In fairness, Stevenage knew exactly how to play him and he fell for it hook, line and sinker.
For those who remember, Allison was the official who allowed City to make six substitutes away at Exeter in the FA Cup a few years back. Yet his performance today topped it in terms of incompetence. I’d go so far as to say it’s the worst refereeing performance I’ve ever witnessed.
But anyway, back to the football. City didn’t really press ahead after taking the lead and Stevenage began to put a lot of balls in the box which caused some messy moments. 15 minutes in and a long ball forward was headed by Joe Wright straight to Jordan Roberts who managed to square for Dan Kemp. His shot was blocked but fell perfectly for Harvey White to strike a volley in off the post from the edge of the box.
City really do seem to be conceding some fantastic strikes lately. Obviously Reyes Cleary’s goal last week will take centre stage but White’s finish was also excellent. The half generally faded out with very little goal mouth action.
The second half saw a lot more intensity and control from City who had the majority of the play in the opposition’s half but without creating anything particularly clear cut. Andy Cook made a difference when he came on and had the home side panicking from some excellent Max Power crosses, but City just did not have the quality in front of goal that was necessary.
That is not overly surprising given the notable absentees. Humphrys, Sarcevic, Bobby Pointon and Alex Pattison all add creativity and a genuine goal threat. At the other end, City are missing arguably their first choice back three in Matthew Pennington, Aden Baldwin and Curtis Tilt. Pennington and Baldwin especially are first choice.
With that being said, it’s hard not to be content with a point. It was a fair result on the balance of the game and probably one most of us would’ve taken when the line ups were announced. We’re the first side to take points off Stevenage at home this season and were good value for it despite having half a team out and playing against 12 men. That’s really encouraging.
With Cardiff losing in the early kick off to Bolton, City are now joint top, being third on goal difference. Who would’ve thought it? And a result on Tuesday will see City going into the FA Cup break top of the league. There’s a lot to look forward to.
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Got to say I wasn’t full of confidence when the team sheet came out and seemed to be full of defenders. Obviously, injuries dictate who is available but the line up smacked of defence rather than attack. A defender scored the goal so who what do I know! We started well and it looked like an onslaught might be on the cards but that changed quickly and they got back into the game. City did well in the second half and could’ve sneaked a winner but a point was a decent return from this match. Now to Lincoln and the chance to go top of the league without goal difference being a factor!
Like you Chris I was a little worried when I saw the team selection. However I quickly realised that we have a pretty good squad and I have a lot of faith in the judgement of the manager.
That said I was relieved that we managed an excellent draw.
There is something very League 2 about the way Stevenage play but credit to them they are very effective in this style of play.
League one is so much better than League 2 in the variety of opposition we face and no doubt Lincoln will pose another difficult challenge on Tuesday.
This season is so enjoyable and long may it continue!
City must be the only team with so many key players that are injured on a weekly basis. When I saw the line up, I thought we would struggle. We had at least half a dozen of players out injured. We have a competitive squad but with so many unavailable, we will struggle. If all the squad was available today we would have won comfortable. I waiting for the Prognosis of the injured players and when will they be available. Hopefully soon.
Considering the state of the squad this was a good point. We still have that die hard mentality who ever plays, which runs through the squad. All credit to GA and his team for giving who ever treads over that white line the confidence to go and succeed. My only concern is that we are looking a bit light on the bench? The sooner the squad recovers to full fitness the better. Hopefully we can weather this mini crisis and get all squad members back. Hopefully the crowd on Tuesday can play the twelfth man and get a result.
‘Tyreik Wright is having a stinker,’ said the Stevenage commentator early in the second half, ‘I will be surprised if he finishes the match.’ It was the most perceptive thing he said all afternoon and if he could see how bad the player was I am surprised Wright stayed on another 15 minutes. I thought Alexander was ten minutes too slow with his subs, too, in the previous match. I suppose what Kavanagh lacks in skill, he makes up for in guts and determination. What Wright lacks in guts and determination, he fails to make up for in skill. Lapslie appears to have guts, determination and skill – and seldom gets a look in. Why is the manager so determined to shoehorn Kavanagh and Wright into the team.
absolutely right. Lapslie deserves a fair run in the side ( certainly in the squad !!!).
Was at the game. Ref completely out of his depth, hard to understand how he can be doing games at this level. Stevenage football ‘style’ like a throwback to the worst of League 2. Horrible town, very basic ‘stadium’ but with a half-decent bar, full of City fans before kick-off – very little local interest in Stevenage FC. Back to more regular League 1-style football on Tuesday night v Lincoln…
Good article, though I thought the ref was poor for everybody and ruined the match from the vey start. I was, like a lot, skeptical when the team was announced but this season has shown me, how wrong I was and how strong the squad is this season.
It makes you think could we have had an even better return than 2pts a game if Bobby, Tilt etc. had all stayed fit? I’m in agreement also re T Wright. Left wing (out and out) ok for me, but we’ve got better in Lapslie, Leigh for example than him in that role. Appears weak, void of ideas and causes play to break down too often. That’s nit-picking I know in an otherwise miraculous start to the campaign
it was Exeter who used too many subs, not City. Also, to disagree with you saying we played against 12 men I thought the ref gave baffling decisions in our favour also. He supposedly does more Championship games if what I read is correct. A point on the road against awkward opposition so let’s move on. I am more worried about Lincoln than I was Stevenage, hope I’m wrong