What the press made of the defeat at Valley Parade
The Sentinel
CREWE failed to score for the fifth time in six games as they went down 2-0 to Bradford City.
Goals in either half from Gary Liddle and Billy Clarke meant it was a comfortable afternoon for the hosts, with Brad Inman going closest for the Alex with an effort which cannoned off the crossbar in the second half.
Liddle’s goal, right on the stroke of half time, came after a dubiously awarded set play found its way to him, with the midfielder’s header wrong footing Ben Garratt and finding the bottom corner.
And a depleted Crewe side had no way back one Billy Clarke fired past Garratt just before the hour after somehow finding a way past Ben Nugent.
The Chronicle
Crewe Alex were comfortably beaten by a strong and experienced Bradford City side at Valley Parade on Saturday.
Goals either side of the break from Gary Liddle and Billy Clarke earned a routine three points for the hosts.
Crewe threatened on a couple of occasions after the restart but City were in command for the most part and left their victims rock-bottom of League One.
After a bright start from the visitors, the hosts slowly but surely imposed themselves and Ben Garratt, Ben Nugent and Jon Guthrie all made important blocks to keep the sides level.
But Bradford made the most of a controversially-awarded free-kick on the stroke of half-time and Liddle’s header squirmed in the bottom corner.
While Crewe looked more dangerous after the restart – so did Bradford as the game opened up. Clarke’s goal just before the hour mark gave them a cushion and they stayed on top.
Brad Inman rattled the bar but the home side had plenty of opportunities to add more and never looked in a great deal of danger as the game moved to a conclusion.
The Bradford Telegraph & Argus
GARY Liddle’s first goal of the season sent City marching to a victory which extended their impressive unbeaten league run to seven games.
The midfielder headed home Tony McMahon’s left-wing free-kick in first-half stoppage time and Billy Clarke’s neat strike made it 2-0 in the 58th minute.
The striker cut inside on the right-hand side of the penalty box before hitting a low left-foot shot which deflected past Crewe goalkeeper Ben Garratt.
City are now on the cusp of the play-off places and have not conceded a goal in their last four matches.
More significantly, Phil Parkinson’s men have claimed five wins and drawn twice during their unbeaten league run.
Crewe are bottom of League One and offered next to nothing as an attacking force in front of a crowd of 17,546 which saw 157 visiting supporters make the trip from Cheshire.