Bradford 1 Burnley 2
Clarets give Bantams the bird
The statistics said...
We beat Bryan Robson's Bradford City 2-1 at Valley Parade (yes, we know it's now The Bradford And Bingley Blah Blah Something Or Other Stadium, but we prefer to call it by its proper name).
Burnley took the lead in the 8th minute via ex-Bantam Robbie Blake, but Bradford equalised in the 18th minute via Danny Cadamarteri. (Remember him? He was once an up-and-coming young footballer at Everton - until he was convicted of assaulting a woman at a nightclub, and the Toffees dropped him like a hot potato.)
After that, Bradford were kept at bay by The Beast, who made several top-class saves. The Clarets then had a David May goal disallowed for offside, and a penalty appeal turned down, before Ian Moore's stoppage-time header secured all three points.
Many observers felt that the result had perhaps flattered Burnley, and indeed, Bryan Robson subsequently described it as "the biggest injustice I have experienced [as a manager]". Even Stan Ternent admitted that if he were the Bradford manager, he would feel very hard done by!
Still, it's the result that matters, and the win takes Burnley to 19th in the Division One table. We also have a game in hand (Franchise FC at home) over several of our near rivals - though we can take nothing for granted, and more wins are certainly required. As far as Bradford are concerned, the defeat may well have ended their hopes of playing Division One football next season.
Our survey said...
:
A vital win that gives us a real chance to survive. Jensen made three excellent second-half saves to keep us in it, before Little set up Moore for the winner.
Branch, Grant and May all played well. The ref finally gave something in our favour after even he couldn't find any reason to disallow the winning goal. Splendid!
The lino in front of the main stand was fatter than Michael. If that lino is fit to officiate at this level of football, I am Carol Vorderman.
Firmo:
To be honest, I thought we were rubbish today. During the second half, if any team deserved to win it, it was Bradford. Wahey! I love undeserved wins, I love away wins, and both at once is heaven. We've had a lot of back luck, and this might just be the bit of good luck that we needed.
It was two poor teams playing each other today, but in the second half, Jensen was the difference. He was tremendous.
Apart from the obvious satisfaction of getting the away win, which will do much to secure our Division One status, I am particularly happy to have killed Bradford off. They're a bunch of Yorkshire bastards. They're a joke team in a poxy ground. The officious stewards threw out two of our members today for doing absolutely nothing. I will celebrate when they get relegated, which is surely only a matter of weeks. I hope we never have to go to this miserable shit-hole again. Last year, they were extremely ungracious after their last-minute equaliser. He who laughs last, laughs longest. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Can you hear tintintin?
Simon:
Ian Moore Moore Moore! What else is there to say?
Luke:
That was the worst game I've been to. 1-2!
Joan:
Brilliant - beyond my wildest dreams today. A goal from David May was disallowed, and a penalty claim ignored. The linesman was in a different world, but we got three vital points - and two good goals from Blake and Moore which they couldn't ignore. A great team effort.
Barbara:
Wow!! What a finale! Usually, other people score goals against us in the last minutes. Hopefully the three points will spur us on to fifty. Unfortunately, we probably sealed Bradford's fate today. Keep going, Clarets!
Razor:
A game we started well and finished better - for the first time since Ian Wright at Oxford! 2-1 in the 90th minute from a bloke who should have been off at half time! A crucial game and crucial points.
Editor's note: Razor did make some other observations, but unfortunately his handwriting is almost as bad as Paddy's! We think he was pleased, though.
Michael:
I must be pleased - Patrick said so. A sublime moment made it one of those days that make it all worthwhile. Realised I'd forgotten how to really celebrate, but am now discovering that the answer is alcohol! Lots of it. We won, we didn't deserve to, I don't care.
Jensen was superb when it mattered. The defence as a whole did well - even Branch. Midfield was largely missing, but we managed to overcome it. Forward line staccato, but we managed. I am nearly happy!
Editor's note: Michael has beautiful handwriting. Second only to a typewriter!
Lee W:
A vital game and a vital win. We were up for it, and I thought every player gave a hundred percent. Shame they don't do it every week!
Jules:
Not the best performance, but who cares? Jensen was amazing - his saves have got us three points. Bradford were almost out of sight. Branch also was outstanding, and what a goal by Moore. The performance was stubborn, the defence held out somehow - and how good is Robbie Blake? Bring on Norwich!
Pauline:
I hope the horrible Bradford fan who came up to us after the game last season and starting being abusive was there today. Who was it who said that revenge is a dish best eaten cold?
Pic of the day
You'll probably need something to counteract the image of Woody as Carol Vorderman... Here's the perfect antidote, as featured in the Bradford programme (they must have had a premonition!).
As with all articles on the site, the views expressed in the vox pop section are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Burnley FC London Supporters' Club.
