Bradford City 3 Crewe Alexandra 3: City’s battling spirit exemplified by Jones

TWO MEN at opposite ends of their careers took the plaudits in a thrilling draw which belied the blustery conditions.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Feb 2014, 05:02 BST
Bradford City midfielder Gary JonesBradford City midfielder Gary Jones
Bradford City midfielder Gary Jones

At 36, Bradford City captain Gary Jones was the driving force behind a comeback from two goals down.

Jones revealed that he has been receiving sessions from a psychologist to help him score goals more often – and it paid off with two venomous strikes.

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Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Ben Garratt, at 19, looks destined to play at a much higher level than League One and, watched by a Manchester City scout, the youngster made at least three exceptional saves.

City remain without a home win since the end of September.

But Jones insists: “We have been playing quite well at times. Going two-nil down was a massive disappointment, but we have spirit and character in the team and players who never give up.”

Striker Uche Ikpeazu, on loan from Watford, pounced for Crewe in the 11th and 54th minutes but James Hanson and Jones then restored parity as on-loan midfielder Matt Dolan had an industrious debut. After Hanson had ballooned over from six yards, Crewe regained the lead with Mathias Pogba’s vicious angled drive.

Yet Jones refused to capitulate and his second long-distance effort left even the agile Garratt helpless.

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Bradford City: McLaughlin; Darby, Bates, Davies, McHugh; Bennett (Thompson 77), Dolan, Jones, Reach; Hanson, Mclean. Unused substitutes: Jameson, Gray, Taylor, De Vita, McBurnie, Atkinson.

Crewe Alexandra: Garratt; Tootle, Ellis, Davis, Guthrie; Pogba, Grant, Evans, Inman; Aneke, Ikpeazu (Moore 65). Unused substitutes: Phillips, Mellor, Dugdale, Osman, Leitch-Smith, Waters.

Referee: G Horwood (Bedfordshire).

Bradford man of the match: Gary Jones.