MATCH REPORT: Peterborough United 1-1 Bradford City

Saturday 17th November 2018, English Football League 1.

PETERBOROUGH UNITED 1-1 BRADFORD CITY     Att. 8,046

Toney 61                                      O’Connor 10

Line-up- Chapman, Naismith (Dembele 45), Bennett, Tafazolli, Denton, Walker (Toney 45), Woodyard, Reed, Ward, Godden (Cummings 76), Maddison.

Bottom side Bradford were at the ABAX Stadium on Saturday, coming off the back of six straight league defeats. Worse than that, they have suffered 24 defeats within the calendar year, which of course is still not over yet.

Posh must have been quietly confident in the search of a vital three points in their promotion push. By the full-time whistle, both sides had to settle for a point. A point, that will be definitely treasured more with the travelling Yorkshire contingent.

Posh played with the two full-backs pushed far too high up field for my liking. To the point where Naismith looked more of an attacking winger, than the full-back he is supposed to be.

Bradford dominated the early exchanges, Posh keeper, Chapman called into action to claw away an effort from Paul Caddis, before saving superbly with an out-stretched leg from a Jack Payne effort. Bradford’s (all too easy), dominance eventually led to the opening goal. Once within the area, Hope Akpan prodded the ball to Anthony O’Connor and despite Chapman’s best efforts (he got a touch on it), O’Connor’s effort bobbled in off of the keeper.

Similarities with the home game against Accrington abounded, for instance the goal was scored around the same point of the match and once again Posh struggled to get a positive strangle-hold on the game.

Boro’s efforts for the remainder of the first-half were speculative at best. Maddison was showing positive bursts and tried to find penetrating passes into the box, however Bradford with mainly all, but one player behind the ball, marshalled the pressure well. Posh nearly received a freak equaliser, as the ball was sent across the area, a mix-up in the Bantam’s rear-guard almost led to an own goal, however as Posh’s misfortune at home continued the ball instead bounced behind for a corner.

Evans’ bewildering tactics of Godden alone up-front, receiving close to zero service, from so called assistant support mechanism Walker, led to a positive double substitution at the break. The ineffectual Walker was culled for an extra striker in Ivan Toney and Naismith was subbed for the full of vibrancy Sirike Dembele. Both made a difference, however Bradford’s game-plan of ‘parking the bus’, and stifling any possible attempt, worked wonders for the most part.

However, with around half-hour remaining, Maddison got the ball through to Toney, whom slotted his effort past the visiting keeper for the equaliser. Though not clear from my vantage point within the stadium, there was controversy regarding whether Toney was within an offside position as Maddison provided the assist to him. Goal stood, 1-1.

As much as Posh tried to perforate Bradford’s resilient rear-guard, they couldn’t steal a winner. Crosses were mainly collected or were inaccurate. The final whistle blew on a game in which Peterborough fans will see as two points lost in the bid for promotion as we drop to fourth.

words Ian McFarlane, D3D4 Peterborough United correspondent