On Sunday Bradford City played their first West Yorkshire derby of the season as they faced Leeds United at the Horsfall Stadium. City were looking to get back to winning ways after their cup defeat against Chorley the previous weekend however, the wait continues as Leeds came away 2-1 winners after a very fiercely contested game.
The open 10 minutes of the game set the tone for the full 90 minutes really as both team chased the opening goal it is very safe to say the game was end to end, the score line didn't really change that either as both teams attacked well into the 90 minutes determined to get on the scoresheet. Leeds were the first team to have a real chance though with a long range effort hitting the target but the Bradford keeper got into position well and saved the ball very comfortably. City didn't wait too long to have their first real chance either with a great free kick sent into the box which found the head of Woodcock, the header forced the Leeds 'keeper into a finger tip save to pt the ball out for a corner.
Leeds did eventually break the deadlock in the first half though with a brilliant strike into the roof of the net, the build up to this goal from Leeds was great but in the end it was Bradford holding back and not pressuring Leeds that led to them taking a 1-0 lead. City definitely didn't deserve to be behind at the break but unfortunately those few minutes where they just backed off led to them chasing for a result.
Not long after the second half begun Leeds doubled their lead, again the goal was a brilliant strike from outside the area, the poor City 'keeper didn't stand a chance as the ball was absolutely fired into the back of the net. Again though the scoreline really didn't refelct the game being played in front of us as it was certainly even in terms of possession and chances. City were looking lively all game but just couldn't find those final passes and the back of the net.
City did manage to get 1 goal back though as a late challenge just inside the area saw them being awarded a penalty which O'Hanlon calmly put into the back of the net. City definitely stepped it up a gear once the penalty was converted, you could tell they knew they deserved to get something from game and the pushed creating more great chances for themselves which included a brilliant header from O'Hanlon which had the Leeds 'keeper stretching for and just getting her finger tips to it to push it behind for a corner. Unfortunately that was one of the last plays of the game though and City were defeat 2-1 to their local rivals, the team can definitely be proud though as me and Liam both agreed that this is one of the best performances we have seen from them so far this season and they are definitely improving game after game. City are moving the ball around well throughout the game and most of the time they are also pressuring the opposition well, they just need to get that final pass and the shots on target nailed down and the results will surely start going their way.
As for our player of the match this week we definitely have to give this to City's Emma O'Hanlon, she converted the penalty with ease but the stand out point for us is her work rate throughout the whole 90 minutes. She was always chasing the ball when City weren't in possession and when City did have the ball she was making sure she was in space to be an option for her teammates and she moved the ball around the field really well, she was a big part in the chances City had throughout the game and I am looking forward to seeing more from her during the season.
City will be looking to bounce back from this result on Sunday when they face old manager Chris Hames new side Hull City, will they be able to cause an upset for their ex manager? I really hope they do as they certainly need to start getting some points on the board as after 6 games they are sitting 11th in the table.
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