Bradford City 2 Crewe 0: Bantams stretch unbeaten run

Goals from Gary Liddle and Billy Clarke were enough to extend the Bantams’ unbeaten run to seven league games on a wet and cold afternoon at Valley Parade.

Crewe had their moments, most notably when Bradden Inman thundered a shot against the crossbar in the second half.

But, in truth, Bradford were too good for the visitors as Phil Parkinson moved up to a season’s high seventh place in the table.

City could have had more than two goals, such was their superiority in sometimes difficult conditions.

During a first half played throughout in light drizzle, the Yorkshire side had the better of the play but resolute defending from the visitors kept Phil Parkinson’s men out until stoppage time.

That was when a sweet free-kick from Tony McMahon was met by Liddle, whose header had just enough power to beat Ben Garrett in the visitors goal.

Crewe could not claim there had been no warning that a goal was coming, with City growing more and more dominant as the first half went on..

Before the breakthrough in the second minute of stoppage time, James Hanson had come the closest to scoring with a shot into the sidenetting after Billy Clarke had squared the ball to the Bantams striker.

He then had another effort deflected wide before Billy Knott’s 20 yard shot was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Ben Garratt.

Hanson also headed over from a Knott cross, while excellent defending from Jon Guthrie and George Ray denied Nathan Clarke and Knott headed opportunities.

Just before the interval, Clarke slid a shot wide after great work by Kyel Reid down the left flank.

Crewe’s best chance of the first half came on nine minutes when Bradden Inman’s swerving shot was blocked by Ben Williams in the home goal.

Billy Clarke doubled the home side’s lead on 58 minutes with a finish from a tight angle to all but kill off Alexandra’s hopes of claiming reward from their trip to West Yorkshire.

Inman did thunder a shot against the crossbar but Bradford were comfortable in the closing stages and Devante Cole could have had a third but for a save from Garratt.

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