Bradford City |
2 |
v |
0 |
Derby County |
Full-time |
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15:00 Kickoff
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Bradford City: |
Walsh , Halle , Jacobs , Myers , Molenaar , Jess , Whalley , McCall , Blake (Grant 78) , Ward , Carbone |
Subs not used: |
Davison , Nolan , Lawrence , McKinlay |
Bookings: |
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Derby County: |
Poom , Carbonari , Riggott , Boertien , Eranio (Gudjonsson 76) , Johnson , Murray , Kinkladze , Burton , Morris (Christie 61) , Delap |
Subs not used: |
Grant , Mawene , Bragstad |
Bookings: |
Boertien 34, Gudjonsson 80 |
Bradford remain rooted to the foot of the Premiership despite Ashley Ward’s brace handing The Bantams a 2-0 win over fellow-strugglers Derby.
Ward handed the home side a lifeline on 16 minutes when he slotted home Eoin Jess’ cross from six yards out, before completing a brace three minutes before full-time to leave Jim Jefferies’ side mathematically in with a shout of surviving relegation from the Premiership.
Derby, who still have Manchester United, Arsenal and Ipswich to play, never looked like ending their miserable away form and had Seth Johnson sent-off to slip to fourth from bottom.
The Rams are without an away win since December 2 and on this form could realistically find themselves losing their Premiership status.
Dean Burton should have put the visitors in front inside the first minute but his half-volley flew narrowly over the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Gary Walsh.
Rams boss Jim Smith was without Taribo West – on World Cup qualifying duty with Nigeria – and Johnson took over the captain’s armband from Darryl Powell, who has ruled out with a knee injury.
Jefferies named an unchanged side for the third successive game, although winger Jamie Lawrence returned to the subs’ bench after recovering from a broken hand.
Bradford looked to raise the tempo as the visitors struggled to establish any pattern to their play.
Robbie Blake tested Rams stopper Mart Poom with a stinging 20-yard drive before Burton had a replica effort that forced Gary Walsh into a save.
Poom then saved twice to deny Benito Carbone firstly from a free-kick and, from the follow-up, he somehow managed to pluck Andy Myers’ goal-bound header out of the air to safety.
But the breakthrough finally arrived for the home side. Jess broke free down the right-hand flank and his dangerous cross was met by the on-rushing Ward, who drilled the ball under the helpless Poom to claim only his fourth goal in claret and amber colours.
Ward then missed a golden chance to double Bradford’s advantage after a swift attacking move. The former Blackburn marksman fired over the bar from close range after some neat interplay between Myers and Carbone.
Bradford were then denied what looked like a clear penalty when Chris Riggott appeared to handle defender Gunnar Halle’s shot – but referee Neale Barry waved away the home side’s protests.
Carbone, instrumental in most of Bradford’s attacking moves, set up Ward for a possible second but his header looped over the bar.
But it was Derby who finished the first-half with the best chance when Johnson’s shot from 15 yards skimmed the post.
Walsh produced a stunning double save after the re-start to deny Derby, as the visitors looked to level proceedings.
The former Middlesbrough stopper brilliantly parried Horacio Carbonari’s long-range free-kick before pulling off a one-handed save from Rory Delap from the rebound.
England Under-21 midfielder Johnson then added to Derby’s troubles when he received his marching orders on 56 minutes for a nasty two-footed lunge on Stuart McCall, connecting with the veteran midfielder just below the knee.
Former Manchester City midfielder Georgi Kinkladze grew in confidence as Derby looked to grab an equaliser, but even he failed to find the necessary magic to unlock a resolute Bradford rearguard.
The home side then killed the contest shortly before the final whistle when Jess’ long-range drive was deflected in off Ward.

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