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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Big Match Review - Bradford 2 Crewe 3

League Two
Bradford City 2-3 Crewe Alexandra
Saturday October 10, Valley Parade, Att: 11,757

Calvin Zola scored twice as Crewe upset the form book to end their run of five straight defeats and inflict a first defeat in nine matches on Bradford City in an entertaining affair at Valley Parade.

The visitors got off to the perfect start when Zola found the back of the net in spectacular style after just eight minutes. The forward latching onto a throw-in down the line to smash the ball over Bantams 'keeper Simon Eastwood and into the net from an acute angle.

Alex were on top and could have doubled their advantage after a quick breakaway unleashed Joel Grant. However, his mazy run ended in a shot which struck Eastwood's upright and rebounded to safety.

Dario Gradi's side weren't to be denied a second though. Zola again, this time with a sweeping finish from outside the box, after some careless defending from the home side.

Bradford hit back though, and were unlucky not to score when Michael Boulding's close range drive rattled off the crossbar. However, the same man helped bring City back into the match just before the break. A header from Chris Brandon's cross reducing the deficit.

Just after the hour mark though, Crewe had restored their two-goal advantage. Steven Schumacher, playing against his former club, with a long-range effort that bounced past the despairing dive of Eastwood.

Stuart McCall's side responded almost immediately. Boulding turned provider for James Hanson to acrobatically volley Bradford back into contention with twenty minutes remaining.

However, despite plenty of late pressure, City failed to find an equaliser leaving Crewe to take all three points back home to Cheshire.

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