Source: Northern_Echo
Hanson header sinks Quakers
A solitary first half goal was enough to condemn Darlington to their latest defeat at Bradford City today.[LNB] The game was Peter Taylor's first on home soil since being appointed Bradford manager two weeks ago and James Hanson's 26th minute header was all that separated the sides on an unven paying surface.[LNB] It meant the Bantams won at home for the first time since October and the result leaves Darlington's situation at the bottom ever more perilous.[LNB] Though Quakers can count themselves unlucky after a determined showing, especially in the second half when Tadhg Purcell believed he should have been awarded a penalty while Patrick Deane missed a headed chance.[LNB] The Purcell penalty incident came in the closing stages, but with only 50 seconds gone the same player saw a close-range shot charged down by defender Steve Williams after Josh Gray had knocked the ball into the Irish striker's path.[LNB] The chance came during a bright start by a determined Darlington, but Bradford hit back with debutant Mark McCammon twice putting the ball narrowly wide inside the first ten minutes.[LNB] Both came after right-wing crosses, first diverting the ball past the wrong side of the post after prodding the ball with his knee, then the burly strike headed an effort off target.[LNB] The Bantams' Michael Flynn was booked for a late tackle as Gray went on one of his direct runs at the opposition defence as Quakers showed their attacking intent.[LNB] Although competitive, for a period neither side were able to create a clear chance on a boggy pitc that did little encourage good football, until the 24th minute when a Bradford set-piece resulted in Williams heading wide.[LNB] Robbie Threlfall's curling delivery to the far post was met by at the far post by the defender who scored the only goal when the sides met earlier in the season, but h was unable to find the net today.[LNB] But two minutes later striker James Hanson opened the scoring, netting with a free header.[LNB] He evaded Darlington's defence to meet Gareth Evans' right-wing cross to make it 1-0, and the same duo combined again two minutes later it would surely have become 2-0 had Hanson not scuffed an effort from 12 yards.[LNB] The goal succeeded in stifling Darlington, though seven minutes before the break Mor Diop had a half chance.[LNB] After midfielder Gary Dempsey dinked a lovely ball over the hosts' defence, Diop latched on to the ball and, with Matt Clarke back-peddling, the Paris-born striker fired a low effort wide of the far post.[LNB] Before the break referee Karl Evans awarded his fourth yellow card of the half with Gray going into the book. Already cautioned were McCammon (foul) and Diop (time wasting) as well as Flynn.[LNB] From the resulting free-kick Threlfall's inswinger found Clarke at the near post but the defender headed wide and he punched the turf in frustration.[LNB] That proved to be the final scoring opportunity of the first 45 minutes, but both sides saw plenty of goal after the break without either keeper being frequently tested.[LNB] Staunton had struck with the same starting XI that lost to Chesterfield last week, but two minutes into the second half Richie Byrne limped off to be replaced by Alan White.[LNB] And in the 57th minute winger Nathan Mulligan, who had struggled to make an impact, was replaced by striker Patrick Deane.[LNB] Shortly before the second change, left-winger Gray called Bradford keeper Matthew Glennon into action for the first time.[LNB] The Darlington youngster charged into the penalty area, following a pass by Dempsey, and Gray opted to shoot towards the near post where the keeper turned ball behind for a corner.[LNB] It was an opportunity wasted, especially as Diop had been demanding the ball in a central position. But with the score only at 1-0 Quakers continued to show willing with a Simon Madden delivery into the penalty area just inches away from a team-mate.[LNB] The hosts were clearly rattled, as demonstrated when the home supporters showed their displeasure at Glennon being forced into a save from Dempsey.[LNB] Bradford reacted well to Darlington's period of supremacy with sub Michael Boulding going close to goal.[LNB] The striker, on for McCammon on the hour, attempted a diving header at the near post to meet Luke O'Brien but the effort was off target.[LNB] Darlington, backed by 247 supporters, continued to get forward and they at least attempted to play the ball on the ground, unlike their hosts who, it seems, are already under the influence of Taylor's renowned long-ball tactics.[LNB] Quakers' Madden saw a long-range effort go high and wide before Evans was unfortunate with an 18-yard shot that rolled narrowly wide. The chance came seconds after Quakers keeper Shane Redmond had blocked at close-range from Hanson.[LNB] At the other end in what was an entertaining second half, Darlington believed they should have been awarded a penalty when Purcell was felled by Threlfall in the 82nd minute.[LNB] Just as a carefully-weighted Diop pass was about to reach the Irishman, he was knocked to the ground but the referee waved play on.[LNB] In the dying minutes Darlington subjected Bradford to serious pressure with Staunton's side sending bodies into the opposition's penalty area.[LNB] The best chance fell to Deane who rose well to meet a Curtis Main cross, but the headed chance looped over the bar and with it went Quakers' hopes of salvaging a point.[LNB] Attentions now turn to Tuesday evening's home game with Port Vale.[LNB] Goal: Hanson (26, 1-0)[LNB] Bookings: Flynn (15, foul); Diop (29, time wasting); McCammon (40, foul); Gray (42, foul); Clarke (86, foul)[LNB] Referee: Karl Evans[LNB] Attendance: 11,532[LNB] Bradford City (4-3-3): Glennon; Ramsden, Williams, Clarke, Threlfall; Bullock, O'Brien (Daley 70), Flynn; McCammon (M Boulding 61), Hanson, Evans. Subs (not used): McLaughlin (gk), Thorne, Bateson, Horne, O'Leary[LNB] Darlington (4-4-2): Redmond; Madden, Miller, Byrne (White 47), Giddings; Gray (Main 83), Waite, Dempsey, Mulligan (Deane 57), Purcell, Diop. Subs (not used): Liversedge (gk), Groves, G Smith, McReady[LNB]
