After Tuesday nights disappointment away to Charlton in another 1-1 draw, this time it probably was a point gained rather than two dropped though, City completed a dramatic late comeback to take all three points against Swindon. Charlie Wyke yet again the hero at Valley Parade with a late brace to rescue the victory in injury time.
Nicky Ajose had opened the scoring in the 75th minute and some of the home supporters headed for the exit. I repeat in the 75th, SEVENTY FITH, minute. At a ground we haven’t lost at for over a year. Against a team in the relegation zone. When we are chasing the automatic promotion places. In the playoffs. Strewth. The majority who did stay were treated to a typical Bradford response, one of intent, desire and passion.
Mark Marshall had been questioned in the first half when he had a few pot shots at goal and a couple of poor crosses. These though were interspersed with delicious balls in, one of which Wyke headed against the woodwork at the back post. Marshall has been a revelation this season and has shown why he was preferred to bringing Kyel Reid back, again. The fact he has the confidence to cut in and strike towards goal reflects his direct approach to the game and shouldn’t be shackled.
Rory McArdle could have grabbed himself a first half hat trick with a succession of delightful deliveries from Tony McMahon from both sides of the pitch, could have sent the Bantams in at half time with a huge goal advantage. However it wasn’t to be and a familiar drone of ‘will we ever take one of these chances’ echoed around the concourse at the break. We had created more than enough chances to put the game firmly out of reach, but a combination of the goal frame, desperate defending and an inform Vigouroux between the posts, kept the scores level.
The second half didn’t quite have the intensity of the first, perhaps the home side were in ‘don’t panic, it will happen’ mode. Based on the first 45 minutes it probably should, but the game didn’t really come to life until Swindon took the lead, a rare attack from the visitors allowed Obika to burst forward with the ball, leaving both Vincelot and Cullen behind him, before sliding a perfectly weighted ball for Ajose to steady himself in the box before firing past Doyle, who in all honesty, was nothing more than a spectator, before having to pick the ball out of the goal.
Marshall first popped up on the right hand side, with a perfect cross towards the back post and this time Wyke made no mistake, his towering header was only palmed in to the roof of the goal by Vigouroux. City were never going to settle for a point, the boys didn’t even celebrate the goal, Vincelot calmly grabbed the ball out of the net as the whole team streamed back over half way to restart the game.
City grabbed all three points in the 91st minute, Marshall on the left this time, drove to the byline before a left footed cross in to the 6 yard box, Jones initially the target but h couldn’t quite turn it in as he was challenged and ended up in a head. Wyke though was in the perfect pace to capitalise, rolled the ball across his body and neatly slotted it in to the bottom corner of the goal.
McCall and the faithful supporters went berserk, if there is a way to win a game its in injury time. Swindon had no chance of getting back in to the game from that point. Wyke then ran down the clock, keeping the ball in the final third and away from danger. What a mature young man we have signed and surely he and Jones are the missing pieces of the jigsaw we have been trying to put together since Nahki Wells came and went.
Other results have gone our way this weekend on the most part too, we will be watching to see if Agent Parkinson fluffs his lines on Tuesday evening to make the run in that little bit more exciting too. But my lord, stay till the end of the bloody game… The lads have given everything this season so far, the least they deserve is the same from us. Stick with them and we will get our rewards come May.
Up The Bantams!
