It was the familiar feeling of disappointment for Bradford as they drew 1-1 at home to Leyton Orient. Bradford failed grab a strong enough hold on the game before Darren Pratley scored the visitors’ first goal in over eight hours of football. A late, deflected effort from Elliot Watt spared even more disappointment for City, who once more were booed off the pitch at full time.
In a pretty uneventful first half, the clearest opening fell to the visitors. Otis Khan floated the ball into the area, which Omar Beckles headed back across goal. Fortunately for City, no Orient players were able to get on the end of Beckles’s header, and Alex Bass claimed the ball comfortably.
Following the half time interval, more chances were being created, with the first big chance falling to City.
Callum Cooke played in a corner towards the penalty spot. Andy Cook managed to make a yard of space, before connecting with Cooke’s corner. Many of the Bradford fans were already cheering, but Cook’s header flew narrowly wide of Orient’s goal.
13 minutes later, City were punished for not taking this chance.
Theo Archibald played a dangerous free kick into Bradford’s area. None of the City defenders could head clear, and after hesitating, Alex Bass couldn’t hold claim the free kick. Bass’ poor clearance fell to the experienced Darren Pratley on the edge of the area, who made no mistake with his first-time finish into the top right corner of the net.
Orient’s goal encouraged the visitors to play with more freedom, and soon after taking the lead, they created another goalscoring opportunity.
Pratley flicked a floated ball forward into City’s penalty area. The ball found Aaron Drinan with his back to goal, but after a couple of neat touches, Drinan turned and hit the ball on the volley. The Orient forward didn’t connect sweetly, with his scuffed effort looping in the air. Alex Bass was able to backtrack and avoid being embarrassed.
This half-chance for Orient appeared to wake City up, who with 15 minutes remaining, began to play with more intensity, leading to a few more openings on goal.
On 80 minutes, Elliot Watt fizzed in a corner. Andy Cook made space for himself again, this time connecting with the cross near the penalty spot. For a minute it appeared as though Cook’s effort would beat Lawrence Vigouroux, but again, Cook’s header went inches past the post.
Less than five minutes later, however, City were level.
The visitors failed to clear Matty Foulds’ long throw in multiple times, before the ball fell to Elliot Watt on the edge of the area. Watt strook the ball first time, and with the assistance of a big deflection, his half-volley beat Vigouroux to draw City level.
Bradford kept pushing for a winner, parking Orient deep in their own half. Although, they were unable to create any more clear chances, and once again, the game finished level.
The result was met with more discontent from the Bradford faithful, who again were disgruntled with Derek Adams’ tactics. Adams spoke in his post-match interview about respecting the opposition, but when the opposition haven’t scored in over eight hours, the City fans expect a more attacking and urgent display.
Up next for City is the short trip to Harrogate on Saturday, where Bradford will be hoping to return to winning ways against their Yorkshire neighbours.
