Bradford City 1-2 AFC Wimbledon, Valley Parade. 24/09/2011

Well, Well, Well... Embarrassing & garbage is a severe understatement for this game! 


Upon arrival at VP, after the usual programme buy as well as going green over Aldershot's money spinning cup tie at home to Manchester United. We waited for the players to arrive. The players arrive doing there usual pictures, autographs ect. & Ben practically needing a new pair of boxers over Michael Bryan's other half! But, there's a talking point to come from the City front. Upon the news that they shall not be involved, Mark Stewart & Jack Compton stormed off very angry. Or as Stewart put it, "A bloody joke!" Didn't go down too well! And if looks could kill, Branston would of killed & Stewart & Compton's would have started a war!


Before this however, the AFC Wimbledon team coach arrived. After autographs & pictures, Wombles manager Terry Brown took time to chat to myself & Carribob, after announcing that I went to watch them in the Play Off Final & they're my second team, Terry said he'd try sort us out some tickets for when we head to Kingsmeadow in February! Legend!  So, we headed in the ground & continued Womble chat with goalkeeper Seb Brown before heading to our seats & Lenny gave the Don's fans some well deserved applause as well.


So, the team's came out onto the VP surface & the game got under way. City oh so nearly took an early lead when Seb Brown headed a backpass into James Hanson to watch it anguishly hit the post & go wide, complaint that he didn't follow up. Hanson however was a man on a mission, he won header after header but couldn't make the chances count or find team mates. So back to the game. 


After a couple of missed chances & some dodgy keeping, Bradford were awarded a penalty after Dons defender Callum McNaughton decided to re-arrange Jamie Devitt's face by giving him one hell of a wallop! (Probably did his dentist a favour & knocked the gnashers out!) Michael Flynn for the second home game in a row stepped up & smashed the Bantams into a well needed lead. However, it was the sign of a false dawn.


AFC Wimbledon came on the offence bar a Devitt shot well saved by Seb Brown & five minutes after going behind pulled level when Christian Jolley punished some poor marking by setting Jack Midson up for a tap in to bring the Dons level & send the travelling 515 supporters into raptures & pumped the noise level up to a whole other level. The Wombles continued this pressure in a scrappy end to the first half as half time came.


After a very quiet half time in which the shock of Plymouth winning was the only highlight the second half began. The second half began in the same fashion the first half ended, scrappy with the Dons on top. Rashid Yussuff continued to take apart the wing & came close to punishing the Bantams again. Hanson, replied for City forcing Brown into another fantastic save.


Kyel Reid showing his commitment to the cause by not showing up & Hanson knocking a poor lad or lass in Bantams Bar out with a wild shot didn't do much to cheer up the City faithful as we slipped into a deep depression. Christian Jolley then placed a wonderfully taken shot over Matt Duke into the top corner to give AFC Wimbledon a 2-1 lead & it also proved to be the winner. Question is, could of Duke done more?


AFC Wimbledon continued there control off the game & was helped by a shocker from our midfield, especially Reid on the left wing! No wonder Compton's face was worse than before up in the Co-operative Stand! The game than pantered out to full time with the only bright spark a Fagan shot just going over.


So, the players ratings: Bradford City & AFC Wimbledon! (I have some space to fill!)
BRADFORD CITY:
Matt Duke - 3 - Could of done more for the first goal, if he was more to the right he could of stood a chance with Jolley's goal (the second) but didn't stand a chance with that one! Looked generally poor & signing him & sending Jansson back is looking like a mistake from Parko!
Liam Moore - 4 - Did his job when needed but kept being turned & walked past far too often by Hatton & Yussuff!
Andrew Davies - 4 -Loves getting stuck in & doing a job but his marking & positioning let him down today.
Luke Oliver - 5 - Could of prevented the first goal with half a yard of pace more but did his job & looked fairly solid today.
Robbie Threlfall - 4 - Hoofball to Hanson does not work Scouse! How many times lad, you're a bright spark but hoofball lets you down. 
Chris Mitchell - 4 - Has done absolute naff all since Barnet to be honest! Forgot he was there at times!
Michael Flynn - 5 - Scored the penalty to keep him at a 5 & not a 4 but look tired & his legs went after about 75-80 minutes.
Ritchie Jones - 5 - MOTM - Only bright spark in a very poor midfield today, did all the hard work & even though he wasn't mentioned was my Man of the Match this afternoon.
Kyel Reid - 3 - Oh My Word! Having a mare is an absolute understatement! Didn't look bothered & was poor in all aspects, no wonder Compton's face went from Thunder to Hurricane during second half!
Jamie Devitt - 5 - What position does the lad play? He just wanders but get's a job down & a bright spark in a poor team.
James Hanson - 5 - Bar his missed opportunities, he won everything in the air & supplied some good balls. His best game this season to date.


SUBS:
Craig Fagan - 5 - Some clever balls & a near beautiful goal did the job.
Ross Hannah - N/A - One touch of the ball & not enough time on the pitch makes him un-rateable this afternoon.


AFC Wimbledon:
Seb Brown - 5 - Fantastic saves by the lad throughout the game after a very shaky start to the afternoon.
Sam Hatton - 5 - Terrorised Moore & Mitchell along with Yussuff.
Jamie Stuart - 5 - Did his job when needed.
Callum McNaughton - 4 - Shaky at the back & gave away a penalty when he didn't need too.
Gareth Gwillim - 4 - Quiet game, forgot he was there during the game.
Sammy Moore - 4 - Very quiet & was dominated easily put out the game by Ritchie Jones.
Lee Minshull - 5 - Was allowed to roam free & get balls in, but a good performance by the lad.
Luke Moore - 6 - Deserved applause from both sets of fans when he was subbed, put in one hell off a shift.
Rashid Yussuff - 5 - Caused Moore & Mitchell problems but his final ball was a letdown.
Christian Jolley - 6 - MOTM, was absolutely fantastic today! Played his part, gave our defence a headache & also a beautiful goal & an assist to boost him & his team's performance.
Jack Midson - 5 - Did his job up front & got himself a goal, good game by the lad.


SUBS:
Brendan Kiernan - N/A - Revert to Ross Hannah. 


Ten Categories chosen by Chapalar:

Was it worth the money? No, City were absolutely shocking.
City MOTM - Ritchie Jones, Only bright spark in a very poor midfield today, did all the hard work & even though he wasn't mentioned was my Man of the Match this afternoon.
AFC Wimbledon MOTM - Christian Jolley,  was absolutely fantastic today! Played his part, gave our defence a headache & also a beautiful goal & an assist to boost him & his team's performance
Quote of the Match - 'He couldn't of saved that even if he was on a ladder.' - Queeny in response to the Wombles second.
Goal of the Match - Christian Jolley's goal beautifully taken & left Matt Duke & the City defence for dead.
Moment of the Match - Watching half the kop duck following Hanson's shot in the second half.
Fan of the Match - . The full contingent of travelling supporters from AFC Wimbledon were fantastic! Made noise & made themselves known.
Chant of the Match - 'Where's your banner gone!' - AFC Wimbledon fans still remember THAT day in May 2000.
FB Status of the Match - 'THAT WAS FUCKING TERRIBLE, MORE BULLSHIT. YOU R ALL TERRIBLE!!!!!!!' - Matthew Carrington 
Referee Watch - Mark Brown, had a fairly bad game. Didn't get most decisions right but got the important ones right.

And finally...
FATWATCH - Carribob called it at Bolton & as I failed to spot anyone one of the larger nature, Carribob's call is final.

Port Vale 3-2 Bradford City - Vale Park, Tuesday 13th September 2010

So, for the third City game in a row there was 93rd minute drama. Sadly it wasn't in our favour this time.

After a tedious & coke covered trip down from Bradford to BurSLUM we arrived at chav city that is Vale Park. They make the BU5's look gothic! So after confusing the youth team keeper with Glenn Morris & Martin Hansen (Really?) & the traditional Vale stewards row over flags & balls, the game got under way.

It was an actioned pack first half, it got under way with a Vale chance missed by Ben Williamson & Threlfall & Hanson both giving away sloppy free kicks but in the 5th minute the ball fell to Vale left back Robert Taylor who with a 25 yard curling screamer smashed Vale in front, good tekkers lad! Despite Vale dominance, Ried & Devitt tried there hardest to bring the Bantams back into the game & Oliver put a header wide, but for 15 minutes it didn't happen as Vale took advantage of our poor defence to have chance after chance but that changed.

In the 24th minute after some trickery & defence dodging by our new star loanee, Jamie Devitt curled the ball from outside the area into the top right hand corner to bring the Bantams level in a case of whatever you can do, I can do better! From the goal City found new life with Moore, Mitchell, Jones & Flynn trying to control play with Reid & Devitt but it sadly didn't pay off with Moore getting caught out in the midfield & Branston repeatedly coming out of position all but pushing Threlfall into the centre saw Vale's dominance return.

From a corner resulting from this poor defensive show saw Gary Roberts whip a corner in, which Duke rabbit punched away but from there it was downhill. Fresh off his early stage screamer Taylor looped the ball back in but most of both teams stood there in anticipation of it going over the crossbar but a crule dip caught Duke off guard & despite a pretty flimsy effort ended up going in off the back of an un-expecting Threlfall's head to put the home side back in front. Vale dominated & to the relief of everyone associated with VP, half time came.

Half time was a pretty dull affair with the exception of casually winding Becky up! So, to the second half.

The second half began with the third long range effort of the evening, A Anthony Griffith clearance fell to Ritchie Jones, from where Jones smashed it towards the goal & despite the poor efforts of Vale keeper Chris Martin, City were level once again.

After another 10 minutes of Vale trying to re-take the lead, it was City's turn to dominate the game. Reid & Devitt were beginning to cause real problems to the Vale defence who decided to turn attack in an attempt to give Vale the game back and if Devitt didn't get greedy it could of been 3-2 but he did & Mitchell showed his anger. In the meantime however with this happening, a double substitution by Micky Adams saw more attacking prowess added to the Vale side.

With the defense being pulled apart & the attack losing it's pace, Parko decided it was time for some subs off his own, starting with his now usual sub of Jack Compton for Kyel Reid. The next 5-10 minutes had not much to report other than a Flynn shot saved by Vale keeper Martin. Then, after another man of the match appearance by the loan superstar Devitt was brought to an end as he was replaced by Bermudan international & the returning Nahki Wells. A golden chance by Compton which was tipped onto the post by Martin & then missed following a stupid decision by the ever not reliable James Hanson was the last chance of the game for City as the later corners didn't produce.

On the way to the game, Albert said "Tom Pope plays for them & he always scores against us." Well, Albert was right after the attacking right side of Moore & Mitchell were caught out which dragged Branston out of position to which a cross was allowed to go in & allowed Pope to scored a 93rd minute looping header over Duke to make it 3-2 & win Vale the three points, which to be honest they deserved.

Only a few prank calls to report on the way home & after getting back into Bradford, it was home & bed time.

So, the City players ratings:
Matt Duke - 4 - Couldn't have done anything about the first & third goals but what on earth was he doing for the second? Rabbit punched & then was caught out in comically tragic style by the return shot. Poor decision making on his part.
Liam Moore - 4 - We need to switch it round & have him on the right wing & Mitchell at right back because Moore's attacking head keeps getting him caught out defensively & makes it harder for Mitchell to cover.
Guy Branston - 3 - Kept coming out of position & getting caught time & time again. Looked very poor & his pace is appalling. Need Williams back I say.
Luke Oliver - 5 - Despite conceding three goals had another good game at centre back. Looks solid, well one of the defence has too!
Robbie Threlfall - 4 - Keep's getting dragged into the old habit of hoofing it up to Hanson & the second goal was a comical tragedy.
Chris Mitchell - 4 - Despite playing right wing ends up playing right back most of the time because of Moore's attacking head & with Moore capable of playing down the wing, why not switch them round?
Michael Flynn - 4 - Looked tired last night & looked like his Taylor self, but with Jones playing in the middle with him, he can get away with it in the odd game but not all the time.
Ritchie Jones - 5 - Worked hard in the middle of the park & chipped in with a goal as well, but at times he looks poor maybe because he has to carry Flynn every now & again.
Kyel Reid - 6 - Had to do all the work for the pink army with Devitt. Caused Vale's attacked minded full backs problems but tires easily.
Jamie Devitt - 7 - MOTM - How this lad can not get into the Hull team is beyond belief! Whether we have Syers or not you know we'll miss him when he leaves! Worked his socks off & caused Vale problem after problem & showed some great tekkers to smash City level in the first half.
James Hanson - 3 - When, when will this lump be dropped onto the bench! Missed a great chance following Compton's shot & apart from that I forgot he was even on the pitch!

SUBS:
Jack Compton - 5 - After coming on for Reid, try to create & help the team forward but sadly couldn't & had a good chance tipped onto the post.
Nahki Wells - 4 - After coming on only had one or two touches of the ball so it's hard to rate him.

Ten Categories chosen by Chapalar:

Was it worth the money? Is Vale away ever worth the money? We always lose at Vale Park these days.
City MOTM - Jamie Devitt, caused Vale problems galore & worked his socks off showing tekkers & scoring a very special goal in the process.
Port Vale MOTM - Robert Taylor, the left back got two goals as well as keeping Moore & Mitchell quiet for the whole game before being subbed off.
Quote of the Match - Albert: 'I live next to that white house there,' Ayesha: 'What houses? Where are you looking? All I can see is tree's!'
Goal of the Match - Even though Devitt's goal was special it was sadly beaten by Robert Taylor's opening 25 yarder in the 5th minute.
Moment of the Match - Devitt & Taylor's goal are the joint winners. Both very special goals, not often you get them in League Two. 
Fan of the Match - The geekiest 'firm' member I've ever seen! In his dopey (Seven Dwarfs) jumper & glasses, keep to the books lad.
Chant of the Match - 'You never sang anyway' - City to the very quiet Chav Army trying to make some noise.
FB Status of the Match - Bradford City, you are fucking inept to keeping clean sheets, and defending simple balls in and around the box. Complete and utter joke. - Josh Spruyt
Referee Watch - Dean Whitestone didn't have much to do & had a quiet evening & a good game.

And finally...
FATWATCH - The Vale fan in the middle of their main stand in the grey tracksuit, Chav Army!

Bradford City 2-2 Bristol Rovers, Saturday 10th September at Valley Parade.

So, for the second week in a row, Bradford snatched a point in injury time!


After arriving at the ground, I headed to the players bar where after enjoying Branston writing Brano's bitch across the forehead of Liam Chew's James Hanson mask I made a tit of myself falling over a traffic cone to be laughed at by young Jamaican striker Darren Stephenson. I then headed into the ground, where I ended up on the receiving end of an hour & 15 lecture of the last 15-16 years of Bradford City's history by a steward... Yawn!


So, the first half got under way & the opening 5-10 minutes showed what a feisty affair it would turn out to be! Guy Branston caused some early controversy & fierceness between him & Prince Harry... Oh sorry Matt Harrold, by punching the lanky ginger forward in the face & leaving him on his backside moments after a collision between the two further up the pitch! 


Cue the next 10-15 minutes which were just as fierce with fouls & dives galore which resulted in the free kick count rising & rising until Michael Flynn's shot which nearly ended up in Bristol it was that wide broke the chain of play & allowed heads to be cooled. Liam Moore was booked for refusing to give the ball back for a throwing & was previously warned for a ridiculous decision. If a player falling over you while your rolling on the floor is a foul & a booking then I for one am baffled! Also, Ritchie Jones was denied a goal by a world class save by Scott Bevan from the midfielder's header. 


But after Reid & Devitt's chances both fell wide, Bristol Rovers took the lead in the 40th minute with a header by Harrold. Oliver allowed his man to lose him & the ginger striker was then played on by a lazy error by Scouse to score for the visitors. Cue quite possibly the funniest half time in VP's history!


During the half time interval, the local Zumba group came onto the pitch to show us some moves, hilariously Bristol Rovers fans decided to show us there's after a rendition of 'who's the fat bitch at the back!' Whatever the Zumba dancers did on the pitch, the Bristol Rovers fans decided to replicate in the stand. One Bristol Rovers fan took to the stairs & got a tad carried away allowing entertainment & laughter for both sets of supporters! Towards the end of the performance, Bristol Rovers fans switched to the Inbetweeners dance as a small majority of the TL Dallas faithful decided to join him! Hilarious & genius as that was, there was still 45 minutes left to play at VP.


Not much to report in the early stages of the second half apart from a James Hanson header being cleared off the line until Jamie Devitt was booked for a nothing trip on Eliot Richards. Bradford were then awarded a free kick but strangely decided to take Chris Mitchell of to bring Ross Hannah on before rather than after the free kick to the dismay of Michael Flynn. Devitt took the free kick & Rovers centre back Bolger headed it over the TL Dallas. 


From the resulting corner City were awarded a penalty after Devitt was pulled down by ex-Rovers manager & current Rovers captain Stuart Campbell. Flynn stepped up & cooly & calmly smashed the ball past Bevan from 13 yards to bring the Bantams level. Game On! Two minutes after the penalty City were denied the chance to go 2-1 up after another class save by Bevan denied usual super sub Ross Hannah. Bradford City should have had another penalty after Matt Harrold brought James Hanson crashing down in the box following a tug of the shirt.


Following this, the game went quiet until Eliot Richards received the ball outside the box after losing his marker before using his right foot to take it across his body to smash from distance with his left to restore the Rovers lead. Yet, there was some added time controversy to come at VP! A was it or wasn't it penalty decision following an apparent foul on Jamie Devitt by Lee Brown but after much appeal by the travelling side the penalty was given & once again Flynn stood up after taking the ball of Compton. He began his run up with hearts in mouths & smashed in to bring City level & save us a point! Guy Branston had a chance to win the game but cleared the bar with a header & the game finished 2-2 with spoils shared.


I would before the end of my blog wish to offer an apology to the young lad on the train who was hit by Carribob's failed paper aeroplane attempt.


So, the players ratings for the afternoon:
Matt Duke - 6 - Rarely challenged but when challenged was put on his toes & stayed solid.
Liam Moore - 6 - Looked excitable & wasn't afraid to push up & put pressure on the Bristol Rovers left back. Didn't deserve to be subbed. 
Guy Branston - 5 - Looked slow at times but gave Harrold a game the front man won't forget for a while!
Luke Oliver - 5 - At fault for the first goal with Scouse. But remained solid after but had a quiet game by his standards this season!
Robbie Threlfall - 4 - Sloppy error after Harrold lost Oliver played the ginger man on side & allowed him to score. He also developed a habit of crossing the ball straight at Bevan between the Rovers sticks.
Chris Mitchell - 5 - Set pieces & crossing perfect as usual. One of his quieter games at VP.
Michael Flynn - 6 - Even though he had a poor first half. Can't fault the man's second half performance & his two penalties saved the day for City!
Ritchie Jones - 5 - Unlucky not to score in first half but disappeared after that.
Kyel Reid - 6 - Looked far better than Morecambe & can tell he is nearing full match fitness. Sad to see him go to changing rooms after being subbed off, hope it's not a bad injury!
Jamie Devitt - 8 - MOTM, Can not fault the young Irish man this afternoon! Caused the away side problems all game & without him we wouldn't have got our penalties.
James Hanson - 5 - The lad won his fair share of headers put looked very poor when we tried to play it on the floor but a stint on the bench or being used as a sub impact player will do the lad a world of good!


SUBS:
Ross Hannah - 5 - Had a quality chance for 2-1 denied by Scott Bevan. Can't fault the lad's enthusiasm & effort.
Jack Compton - 6 - Won the free kick in the build up towards the second penalty & his breath of fresh air continued the problems that Reid caused for Rovers right back.
Mark Stewart - 4 - Came on & didn't deliver anything to the game in his short time on the pitch.


Ten Categories chosen by Chapalar!


Was it worth the money? To see Bristol Rovers Zumba & the second half... Yes it was!
City MOTM - Jamie Devitt, Can not fault the young Irish man this afternoon! Caused the away side problems all game & without him we wouldn't have got our penalties.
Bristol Rovers MOTM - Scott Bevan, his world class saves throughout the game kept Bristol Rovers alive & left City wondering how we didn't score more.
Quote of the Match - 'Have you seen Kitchen's new girlfriend?' Ellis Taylor romancing the fat one from Zumba for Kitchen! 
Goal of the Match - Bristol Rovers second of the game. Well taken & well struck by Eliot Richards.
Moment of the Match - Half time's Zumba lesson with the ladies on the pitch & the Bristol Rovers fans in the stand.
Fan of the Match - Not so much Fan but Fans! The Bristol Rovers Zumba group at half time was another class! Absolute genius by the lads & lasses from Somerset!
Chant of the Match - In your best high pitched voices now lads! 'Jonny will tear Vicky apart again!'
FB Status of the Match - 'to quite the iron sheik, FACKIN BULLSHIT!!!!!' - Matthew Carrington
Referee Watch - Nigel Miller, if there ever was a referee who made Stuart Atwell look good at his job, then that referee is you sir! Poor game & Bradford's first penalty was only decision he got right all afternoon! 


FATWATCH - 'Who's the fat bitch at the back?' Well Bristol Rovers fans, I don't know but what I do know is she's won the match's fat watch! 

Morecambe 1-1 Bradford City - Globe Arena, 3rd September.

Viva La Hannahlution! If he keeps popping up with these point savers away from VP, I for one will be happy! Either that or from how Sam Speight's talking I will be left with a very sore backside!


So, upon arrival at Morecambe Dan's caravan park (I hear the comedian was top notch once again!) I, Sam, Brett, Albert, Carribob, Ellis & the other Sam made the mile walk up the road to the chippy (okay, Greggs for Carribob!) & we all had fish & chips each yet the talking point wasn't the food, it was the fact you had to pay an extra 50 pence to eat in! Scandalous! So, after that & some stealth bumming in Co-op we headed back to the Globe Arena!

The plan of action was to have some pictures with the team & get them to sign programmes, so the usual really in the pouring seaside rain was brought to an abrupt halt with the news that a crash on the M6 meant the City side was delayed & wouldn't arrive until just before kick off, scrapping that whole idea! However, the ref's decision to delay kick off by 5 minutes was appalling!


But why did the team get stuck in traffic? Answer please Phil Parkinson... The cooker broke down on the bus, we couldn't have any food so we had to stop at the services, then the traffic delayed us... Classic!


So, we headed into the ground & got ready for the game but there was a downside, Bolton showed up! The first half was a bit of a mixed, drab affair. A few decent Mitchell deliveries missed as per usual by Hanson from City & from Morecambe they had a few chances which either flew over the bar or comfortably saved by Matt Duke on his City debut between the sticks. The first half was lightened up by the new players chants created by Laney & company, some were hits with the City faithful others were not as much! Mark Stewart was booked for a challenge on Morecambe keeper Barry Roche as well (played Stewart!) But, half time came.


Half time was just a bit like the first half, very drab & mixed! If you weren't ducking from Compton's shots you were abusing or sticking up for Carribob! So, second half.


The second half  saw the game spring to life! After the early exchanges to the half saw cross after cross, mostly by Chris Mitchell & Izak Reid followed by clearance after clearance by Kevin Ellison & Luke Oliver. But, some shocking City defence lead to the opener & a Morecambe goal following one hell off a goalmouth scrambe. Flynn cleared from Reid which fell to Jevons who's effort was cleared by Moore to Laurence Wilson which then deflected back off the crossbar to Danny Carlton who's shot was saved by Matt Duke before Izak Reid managed to get the ball into the back of net. Then some noise & a shocking poznan attempt took place in the Morecambe end!


Parko made the changes instantly when he pulled Mitchell off & gave Bugs Bunny, sorry Jamie Devitt a City debut. His impact was immediate & helped City! But first we had to fight off some Morecambe pressure, Flynn headed off the line, while Duke & Oliver were clearing & saving like there was no tomorrow to make sure the home side didn't double their lead! Parko felt more changes were needed & too the majority of fans delight Compton came on to replace debutant Kyel Reid (Dyslexic parents?) & Ross Hannah came on for Jame... oh, Mark Stewart. 


City pushed on in an attempt to get a point, Hanson had a header saved by Roche & Laurence Wilson was booked at last for another un-fair challenge, the wingers combination of Compton & Devitt started causing Morecambe some serious problems yet Morecambe were still having the better of the chances with Ellison & sub striker Lewis Alessandra both missing great chances to double the Shrimps lead. Then in injury time it happened...


... City equalised! Get in! The wingers dream team of Devitt & Compton combined once again with Bugs, sorry Devitt whipping it over to Compton who then crossed it to Ross Hannah who's shot was slightly deflected pass Barry Roche into the bottom right corner to bring City level & send the away fans into raptures! Scenes of absolute joy & hysteria in the Bay Radio Stand were somewhat marred by a one man pitch invasion yet the point at the Globe meant so much more than people think! The pouring rain was forgotten for this moment of fan base wide joy by the seaside! So, the point was given & we headed home but here's a laugh.


On Wednesday I 'f'raped Carribob & barried to the back of the coach saying I'd discovered some train porn! (Does it even exsist?) & some of  us let some steam off & took the banter off the rail! We discovered the different possibilities off train porn such as the carriage goes in & out of a tunnel before climaxing with a mass steam explosion! Yet, Carribob's reaction for once was un-usually delayed! After, some jokes & a mention of Carribob's Torquay fwiend Liam Chew Chew ;) we finally ran out of steam & the runaway train off banter came to an end!

So, the player ratings:
Matt Duke - 6 - Solid debut by the experienced keeper! Some very good saves as well as defensive clearances kept Morecambe at one goal.
Liam Moore - 5 - Looks good attacking yet poor defending, not good for a full back! 
Guy Branston - 5 - Looked solid yet his speed keeps letting him down! Should of took some of the workload of Oliver & Flynn.
Luke Oliver - 7 - MOTM, Another solid performance by the 6'7 centre back! Kept Carlton & Jevons at bay as well as doing his bit attacking but wins MOTM with his performance at the back!
Robbie Threlfall - 4 - Looked poor today & Izak Reid must be looking forward to going against him at VP already!
Chris Mitchell - 5 - Just like Wednesday midweek! Kept popping up with very good crosses & set pieces before being eventually subbed.
Michael Flynn - 5 - Another one of those days were it looked like his legs had gone while attacking but the combination of him, Duke & MOTM Oliver kept Morecambe at one.
Ritchie Jones - 5 - Solid in centre midfield & like I said v Wednesday is getting better game by game!
Kyel Reid - 4 - First game of season yet looks like a black OB! Has his odd moment of skill or genius & rest of time looks poor with no right foot!
James Hanson - 4 - Oh my word! Where do I start with Hanson? 6'5 & only won two headers? If we're going to hoof the ball to a striker please make it one with some actual heading ability! But it shows how poor City were when his header was our best & only decent non-scoring chance!
Mark Stewart - 5 - Had a quiet game before being subbed yet his work rate was unbeatable once again!


SUBS:
Jamie Devitt - 6 - One of the trio of super subs who changed the game! The little Irish winger covered every blade of grass he could in a close MOTM attempt to get City the point.
Ross Hannah - 6 - One of the trio of super subs who changed the game! Looked quiet but when the chance to smash City level came, he took it & blew the roof of the Globe Arena & Sam Speight!
Jack Compton - 6 - One of the trio of super subs who changed the game! Him & Devitt look like a wingers dream team! They work extremely well together & did so to supply Hannah with the equalising chance!

To finish of the blog, Ten Catergories chosen by Chapalar:

Was it worth the money? It wasn't until Ross Hannah smashed in the equaliser!

City MOTM - Luke Oliver once again! He's getting better & better since Taylor left in February!

Morecambe MOTM - Fantastic for them at the back & up front as well today, Ex-City loanee Kevin Ellison.

Quote of the Match - 'Jonny (Stott) only like under 6's... or Vicky!'

Goal of the Match - The goal that sent us wild! Ross Hannah's late, late equaliser!

Moment of the Match - The scenes of joy on the away terracing following Hannah's equaliser!

Fan of the Match - For the second game in a row it's Laney! His & companies chants were another class!

Chant of the Match - 'We love you Branston because you've got no hair! We love you Branston because your everywhere! We love you Branston, City through & through!'

FB Status of the Match - Fucking loves Ross Hannah by Sam Speight.

Referee Watch - Andy Haines, less said the better!

FATWATCH - Carribob called it as Michael Bolton, so I'm letting Carribob's call be final today.