Matchday Guide | Bradford (A)

26 August 2023

Crewe Alexandra travel to Bradford City in the hope of extending their unbeaten start to the season on Saturday (3pm).

Lee Bell's men picked up a point in their first away game at Swindon Town and they will hope to add to their tally in front of a big crowd at Valley Parade.

The Opposition

Bradford City have started the season with two losses both coming on the road. A draw with Stockport County was preceded by their only win at home to Colchester United.

The Bantams will be aiming to get in the promotion mix this term so three points will be the only target for Mark Hughes' men.

The Gaffer

Mark Hughes took over at Bradford City in February 2022 - the first team he has managed outside the Premier League.

The Manchester United and Wales legend previously managed the Wales national team between 1999-2004 and nearly took them to the Euros. He was also boss at top flight sides like Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Fulham, QPR, Southampton and Manchester City.

Fighting Talk

Lee Bell: “Mark Hughes has a wealth of knowledge and I’m sure he commands the respect of his players so they can implement what he wants from them. We have to thrive off the occasion and take the game to them.”

Mark Hughes: "Our last home performance was very good and we want to try and improve on that level. It is a great opportunity to get back on track and it will calm everyone down. We have to play well at home.”

Head-to-Head

In previous games between the two teams Bradford have most wins with 43. Crewe have 37 wins and there have been 20 draws. Crewe have won two of the last three clashes.

Match Officials

The referee will be Darren Drysdale. His assistants will be Jacob Lehane and Kevin Mulraine and the fourth official will be Simon Clayton.

Elsewhere in League Two

AFC Wimbledon v Forest Green; Barrow v Wrexham, Gillingham v Colchester; Harrogate Town v Colchester; Mansfield v Stockport; MK Dons v Doncaster; Newport v Sutton; Notts County v Tranmere; Salford v Accrington; Swindon v Crawley; Walsall v Grimsby.

How to Get There

For travel advice as well as helpful information on your visit to Valley Parade click HERE.

Ticket Details

For ticket information click HERE.

Can't Make The Game?

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Match Reports

Match Report | Bradford 1 Crewe 0

26 August 2023

Railwaymen beaten for first time this season
Walker goal against run of play divides teams
Alex draw a blank on the road

Crewe Alexandra suffered their first defeat of the season when they fell to a single goal at Bradford City.

Jamie Walker’s strike just before half-time came at the end of 45 minutes of domination from The Railwaymen, in the 100^th meeting between the clubs

Bradford improved after the break and went close several times, while at the other end they kept the visitors at bay.

It was a disappointing outcome for Lee Bell and his players but they will take encouragement from some aspects of the display as they prepare for a midweek trip to Port Vale.

Manager Bell made one change to the side that draw with Walsall last time out, with Connor O’Riordan being recalled to the heart of defence in place of Zac Williams who dropped to the bench.

Bradford, captained by former Crewe loan man Sam Stubbs, found themselves on the back foot in the opening 20 minutes.

The Alex bossed possession and caused problems with a number of set-plays and long throws, and home fans began to get frustrated.

On 29 minutes the Alex won the ball high up the pitch and Christopher Long outpaced two defenders before getting a shot on target. Keeper Harry Lewis parried it and Elliott Nevitt felt he was tripped as he tried to turn home the rebound, but the referee wasn’t interested.

Bradford had looked completely toothless but took the lead just before the break when Kevin McDonald whipped in a ball from the right and Walker steered home with the inside of his foot.

O’Riordan’s header from the Alex’s fifth corner of the game brought a superb save from Lewis and it stayed 1-0 at the break.

O’Riordan made a brilliant goal-saving tackle to prevent Andy Cook from doubling City’s lead soon after the restart.

Cook and Daniel Oyegoke tried to force the ball home after another break on 55 minutes but Harvey Davies was able to smother the chance.

Another vital block from O’Riordan, this time at the expense of Alex Pattison, kept Bradford at bay, and then Davies was out quickly to deny the same player.

The Alex switched to 4-3-3 for the final quarter but could never reestablish the rhythm they showed in the first half.

They kept plugging away and went close in injury time, particularly when Joel Tabiner’s low drive had to be turned around the post by Lewis.

But they ran out of time and slipped to a first defeat of 2023-24.

Bradford (3-4-3): Lewis; Platt, Stubbs, Kelly (Smallwood, 66); Oyegoke (Halliday, 66), McDonald, Pattison, Richards (Ridehalgh, 75); Walker (Osadebe, 80), Cook, Smith (Derbyshire, 80).

Subs not used: Doyle, Pointon.

Booked: Kelly, Richards.

Crewe (3-4-3): Davies; Demetriou, O’Riordan, Offord; Cooney (Holicek, 75), Powell (Griffiths, 87), Tabiner, Adebisi (Williams, 90+7); Tracey, Long, Nevitt.

Subs not used: Booth, Thomas, Billington, Lunt.

Booked: None.

Referee: Darren Drysdale.

Attendance: 16,402 (334).