Bradford’s winless home run continues as Port Vale defeated the Bantams 2-1. Charles Vernam’s goal on his return from injury wasn’t enough to spark a late comeback, meaning Mark Hughes is still yet to pick up a point at Valley Parade since becoming City manager. The Bantams’ home form this season has been far from good enough, something that Hughes will want to change going into next season.
Hughes’ side have been very composed on the ball in the last two games, but lacked composure from the start, gifting Port Vale the ball numerous times in dangerous positions.
However, Vale’s first real chance came from a free kick. Vale’s Brad Walker attempted a Ronaldo-style effort from range, but Alex Bass was able to comfortably parry the ball away from his goal.
Despite often winning the ball around Bradford’s penalty area, Vale weren’t able to capitalise, and it was City who created the best opportunity of the first half.
Deep into first half stoppage time, Callum Cooke picked out Andy Cook with a slick pass. Cook had a couple of yards of space, and fired the ball goalward with his left foot. Walker attempted to block the effort, but instead diverted the ball over Aidan Stone, who was relieved to see the ball strike against the bar.
Cook’s chance failed to push City on at the start of the second half, allowing the visitors to take the lead just five minutes after the interval.
Dion Pereira mishit his clearance, which bounced off Matty Foulds straight to James Wilson. The former Manchester United forward played a dangerous ball across goal, which Luke Hendrie attempted to clear. Unfortunately for City, his clearance fell nicely for Ben Garrity to fire home from a few yards out.
City failed to recover from going behind, and less than 15 minutes later, Vale doubled their lead in controversial fashion.
Former Bantam Jamie Proctor appeared to drag Yann Songo’o to the floor on the half way line, but the referee allowed play to continue. James Wilson latched onto the end of a long ball, and ran at three City defenders. None of them did a good enough job at stopping his shot, which crept under Alex Bass and into the back of the net.
Mark Hughes brought on Jamie Walker and Charles Vernam to try get something from the game, and Vernam, on his return from injury, made an instant impact.
City were playing the ball across Vale’s penalty area, but seemed reluctant to shoot. After Vale intercepted a loose pass, the ball fell kindly to Charles Vernam, who hit the ball first time. Vernam’s effort took a wicked deflection past Stone, and brought City right back into the contest.
Vernam’s goal certainly lifted the atmosphere at Valley Parade, but failed to lift the players, who weren’t able to sustain a spell of pressure to find an equalising goal.
The Bradford fans were hoping for a similar performance to their previous two against Forest Green and Hartlepool, but left disappointed with yet another home defeat. This defeat has acted as a reminder to the City fans that there is still a lot of work to be done before Mark Hughes can be a success at Valley Parade.
One positive that can come from the game is that it gives Hughes another insight into which areas he needs to work on going into next season.
