Scorers:
Bradford: Ball (90+2') Blackpool: Gnanduillet (24', 68'), Virtue (50'), Taylor (80')
H.T: 0-1
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 23/03/2019
Referee: Antony Coggins
Bradford manager: Gary Bowyer
Stadium: Valley Parade
Form: WLL - DDL
Changes in the table: Bradford stay rock bottom, but Blackpool are now just 2 points off the playoffs.
Teams:
Bradford: O'Donnell, Chicksen, O'Connor, Anderson (Wright), Akpan, Knight-Percival, Caddis, O'Brien, Payne (Butterfield), Ball, Doyle
Subs not used: Wilson, O'Connor, Clarke, Patrick, Devine
Blackpool: Mafoumbi, Nottingham, Heneghan, Tilt, Bola, Spearing (Taylor), Virtue, Evans (Pritchard), Delfouneso, Feeney, Gnanduillet (Kirby)
Subs not used: Boney, Anderton, Long, Dodoo
Preview: https://theblackpoolblog.wixsite.com/theblackpoolblog/home/bradford-a-match-preview
Match Events:
The beginning of the match was rather subdued and, although Bradford seemed nervous on the ball, Blackpool were equally poor. As a result, the opening minutes were scrappy and contained very few chances. The entirety of the first half was basically a continuation of this, but there was at least some action.
In the 14th minute, Blackpool won their first corner of the afternoon, with the deep cross being weakly headed wide by Gnaduillet. Blackpool were looking more assured at the back too, with a couple of big blocks denying the Bantams from getting a shot on goal. Bradford were poor at both ends and looked especially vulnerable down the Blackpool left, with a rapid counter in the 24th minute leading to an Evans flick being blocked.
It would not be long before Evans found redemption however. His swivel and pinpoint cross was perfect for Gnanduillet just minutes later. The big man thundered the ball beyond a helpless O'Donnell and gave Blackpool a valuable lead.
Blackpool almost doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Delfouneso ran almost the length of the pitch to feed Feeney. The winger could only curl over though, a chance that was a huge chance to provide a killer blow. It would stay at one though and stay that way until the halfway stage.
2nd half:
It is fair to say that the start of the second half was rather eventful. In the 50th minute, a positive run from Virtue would lead to gaps opening up. His lethal shot from all of 35 yards screamed to the keeper's right and into the net; a goal of untold quality.
To be fair to Bradford they did try to respond to this second goal. In the 54th minute Mafoumbi rapidly got down to deal with Bradford's first effort on target. It would get even more tedious for Blackpool as they conceded a penalty. It was controversially adjudged that Tilt unfairly brought his man down, but it was not to worry with Mafoumbi pushing Doyle's penalty behind in the 56th minute. A huge let off for the Seasiders.
Bradford would persevere though and so would Doyle. The striker would clip over from close range in the 60th minute, missing another fantastic opportunity.
Blackpool were making no such errors in their attacking third though. In the 68th minute Pritchard stretched out a leg, but could not get enough of a contact to direct Bola's cross on target. Just seconds later however, Blackpool would have that game clinching third. Gnanduillet rose highest once more and this time headed in off the post to put the game beyond any doubt.
It was seemingly just a question of how many from this point onward. Bradford looked dejected and their heads had dropped. Blackpool almost walked in their fourth, with Delfouneso laying off to the substitute Taylor who slotted his first Blackpool goal into the top corner. Bradford were crumbling. Despite the Bantams pulling back a goal in extra time, it was quite an abysmal display and, if I had condemned them to relegation when I saw them at Bloomfield Road, I am afraid things seem to have got even worse for them. Bowyer will have to work miracles much greater than those that he worked at Blackpool and I think that could be one ask too many.
Player Ratings:
Mafoumbi 9 - He has had more game time than ever this season and this has told. His penalty save was pivotal and he really is developing into a fantastic keeper.
Nottingham 6 - Going forwards he really is superb, but it is no surprise that Bradford were more comforable on his side of the defence.
Heneghan 10 (MOTM) - The amount of blocks he made, the sheer number of clearances and the calmness on the ball resulted in a fantastic all round performance.
Tilt 9 - A great display on his first game back folllowing his injury.
Bola 8 - He come back into the side and Blackpool play better. It really is as simple as that.
Spearing 9 - Was unmarked for much of the match and this gave him a liscence to control the game.
Taylor 7 - Good finish when he came on and should really be getting more game time.
Virtue 8 - His goal was a contender for goal of the season and overall he was very good.
Evans 5 - The only thing he did all game was set up the first goal. He takes too many risks and does not do the basics well.
Pritchard 7 - Assured when he came on and could have easily grabbed a goal.
Delfouneso 8 - Looked energetic throughout and was the main contributer to the final Pool goal.
Feeney 6 - Should have scored in the first half, butoverall had a good game.
Gnanduillet 9 - Two bullet headers and led the line as well as he so consistantly does.
Kirby 6 - Had very little time, but should realistically be starting ahead of Evans if fit.
UTMP