Quickfire double ends Leamington’s hopes of getting something from trip to Bradford

Brakes were left frustrated in Yorkshire again as two rapid goals from the hosts turned on its head a game that Paul Holleran’s men had looked quite capable of winning, writes Paul Edwards.
Jordan Goddard takes the acclaim of his team-mates after scoring the opener. Picture: John RhodesJordan Goddard takes the acclaim of his team-mates after scoring the opener. Picture: John Rhodes
Jordan Goddard takes the acclaim of his team-mates after scoring the opener. Picture: John Rhodes

Jordan Goddard’s first goal for the club lit up a first half short on incident and, although the hosts began to look more dangerous in the second half, Leamington were coping well until they were finally undone with a little over 20 minutes remaining.

A couple of early corner kicks came to nothing, Danny Newton having the first real chance when he was unable to squeeze a close-range shot under keeper John Lamb, who got down well to save.

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Martin Drury headed a Bradford corner straight at Neil Collett while James Mace did the same for Leamington at the other end from Joe Magunda’s right-wing cross.

The home side thought they had opened the scoring when Richard Marshall slotted home Matty James’ cross from the right touchline but the officials ruled the ball had already gone out of play.

With half-time approaching it was the visiting side who grabbed the initiative, Goddard exchanging passes with Richard Batchelor before firing low past the outstretched arms of Lamb and into the net off the inside of the post.

The referee blew the half-time whistle just as Stefan Moore was getting the better of his marker in a straight sprint which would have seen him go clear on the keeper, something the striker was none too happy about as the teams left the pitch.

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Moore was denied by a superb tackle from Drury as he shaped to shoot just inside the area shortly after half-time. Paul Walker then lashed a shot well over the Leamington bar after some neat possession football from the hosts before John Deacey made two substitutions that ultimately changed the course of the game.

Despite this, Bradford could well have gone two goals behind when Newton forced Lamb to palm a well-struck shot over the bar after his initial effort was blocked.

Bradford began to exert more pressure on the Leamington defence as they grew into the game.

Joe Colbeck curled a shot well wide with the outside of his right boot before Chib Chilaka turned smartly inside the box, his shot looking goalbound until a timely intervention from Stuart Pierpoint sent the ball over the bar.

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Jamie Tank then cleared off the line as Ryan Qualter tried to fire home at the far post.

Brakes’ resistance was finally broken in the 67th minute when Walker outjumped Mace to loop Grant Black’s right-wing cross over the diving Collett and into the far corner.

A little over two minutes later, the hosts were in front, substitute Scott Kerr finding space on the left to curl a fantastic strike wide of Collett and into the same corner.

It was a little puzzling as to why he felt he had to celebrate in front of the Leamington bench but it was a special goal to win a game that had looked to be getting away from Bradford prior to the equaliser.

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Lee Moore missed a decent chance to level things up when he fired first-time over the bar from Goddard’s cut-back before Collett saved from Matty James.

Avenue were now looking dangerous every time they attacked and Walker set up James again, only for the shot to lack power, allowing Collett to claim easily.

Walker’s audacious attempt to lob the Brakes keeper from distance failed, while Stefan Moore’s late shot was spilled by Lamb.

Newton lashed the last opportunity for a leveller over the bar from a loose back pass.

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Bradford Park Avenue: John Lamb, Grant Black, Martin Drury, Jack Rea (Jamie Price, 54), Ryan Qualter, Joe Colbeck, Matty James, Nathan Hotte, Chib Chilaka (Danny Frost, 85), Richard Marshall (Scott Kerr, 54), Paul Walker. Subs not used: Steve Mallory, Chris Howarth

BRAKES: Neil Collett, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda (Aron Wint, 88), Jamie Tank, Stuart Pierpoint, Lee Moore (Matt Dodd, 77), Jordan Goddard, Stefan Moore, Danny Newton, Richard Batchelor (Jack Edwards, 77). Subs not used: Luke Connolly, Liam Maher.