Bradford City 0 Grimsby Town 0: Stalemate for Bantams

Both men had just watched 90 hugely uninspiring minutes from seats in front of the 1911 Club and must surely have left rubbing their hands with glee.

Basically, the only way really is up after the manner in which Bradford City had laboured to a goalless draw at home to Conference-bound Grimsby Town.

When news of City's largely insipid efforts reached Peter Taylor, Peter Jackson, Steve Cotterill and Jim Magilton via the representatives sent in their place, no doubt they will have had similar feelings to Slade and Allen.

Ditto the, as yet, unnamed manager currently employed by one of Bradford's rivals who remains on the club's radar.

The scouts attending on behalf of those hoping to take charge at Valley Parade had much to report with the most obvious deficiency in the Bantams ranks being a crushing lack of confidence.

Without a home win since Hereford United were beaten 1-0 on October 24, Bradford were expected to put that right against a Grimsby outfit who arrived in West Yorkshire without a league win almost five months.

The initial signs were promising for all but the 470 Mariners fans in the 11,321 crowd as the Bantams started strongly.

They twice went close through Gareth Evans and Scott Neilson before Evans shot narrowly over following good work by Michael Flynn and James Hanson.

Just 17 minutes were on the clock at that stage and a City goal seemed more a probability than a possibility.

However, having failed to make the hoped for early breakthrough, the Bantams gradually lost their way as the players became more and more inhibited.

There was no lack of endeavour, just quality, on a pitch that did make passing the ball difficult.

Flynn continued to battle gamely in the centre of midfield in an attempt to rouse his team-mates, while Peter Thorne, making his first start in the league since August, used his wily experience to try and create an opening.

Full-backs Simon Ramsden, who had started at centre-half before being returned to his normal position at half-time, and Luke O'Brien also impressed on their respective flanks.

However, against a Grismby side who started and ended the day six points adrift of safety, there was no escaping the feeling Bradford had once again failed to test an opposition goalkeeper sufficiently.

Certainly, Nick Colgan is unlikely to have had a quieter afternoon all season with any saves he had to make being of the routine variety as City huffed and puffed in an attempt to prevent the winless run at home reaching eight games.

At the other end, City's problems in the centre of defence were not as glaringly obvious as they have been on many occasions this season.

Both Matt Clarke and the mixture of Ramsden/Zesh Rehman dealt comfortably with what the Mariners attack could muster.

Despite that, it was difficult to dislodge the thought that a better team than Grimsby would have done enough to leave Valley Parade with all three points.

The visitors' best chance came on the hour courtesy of Peter Sweeney's guile and quick-thinking. The former Leeds United winger took a short corner to Michael Coulson before collecting the return pass and hitting a stinging shot at Matt Glennon.

The City goalkeeper beat the ball away, just as he had done eight minutes earlier to deny Adam Proudlock as he turned and smashed in a knockdown from Oliver Lancashire.

Grimsby did beat Glennon when Peter Bore – the back of his No 14 shirt neatly summing up this game – ghosted in at the far post to convert a floated free-kick from Sweeney.

A linesman's flag curtailed the celebrations but City were unable to take advantage with Michael Boulding having two late efforts saved and Clarke reacting too slowly to a free-kick from Flynn that fell kindly.

The final whistle brought a predictable second round of booing from the home fans, though caretaker-manager Jacobs was quick to praise the effort of his players at the end of a difficult week for the club.

He said: "If it was down to attitude, focus and how they had conducted themselves through the week, the lads would have won the game easily.

"I can't fault their effort but confidence is low. A really small plus is we got a clean sheet and Grimsby are no closer to us for those who see the glass as half empty."

Bradford City: Glennon; Rehman, Ramsden, Clarke, O'Brien; Neilson (Brandon 90), Bullock, Flynn, Evans; Evans (Osborne 72), Thorne (M Boulding 65). Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Williams, Bateson, O'Leary.

Grimsby Town: Colgan; Bore, Lancashire, Atkinson, Widowson; Coulson (Louis-Akpa-Akpo 72), Peacock (Leary 76), Sinclair, Sweeney; Wright, Proudlock (Hudson 85). Unused substitutes: Hegarty, Linwood, Fletcher, Overton.

Referee: S Tanner (Somerset).

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Steve Tanner

By blowing the final whistle, the Somerset official thankfully brought to an end a truly awful game between two teams wretchedly low on confidence.

Villain: Andrew Hutchinson

Fourth official caused confusion and delayed eagerly-anticipated final whistle by a minute when signalling via his board that Grimsby wanted to substitute Dean Sinclair when it was Lee Peacock who was coming off.

Key moment: 12th minute

Scott Neilson opts to cross rather than shoot when the ball falls at his feet after Nick Colgan saves from Gareth Evans.

Ref watch: Steve Tanner

Proved overly fussy in what were difficult conditions. The game had little rhythm as a result, adding to the fans' frustrations.

Verdict

The only way is up for Bradford at the moment. Firm action is required from the board this week to bring a much-needed focus to the club.

Next game

Accrington Stanley v Bradford City; Saturday, 3.0pm; League Two.

Quote of the day

I was probably the proudest man in Bradford because I was the manager of Bradford City Football – Caretaker Wayne Jacobs underlines his feelings for the club where he spent more than a decade as a player.

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