After all the bad weather this week and last Saturdays postponement away to Rochdale it was a pleasant surprise to hear this encounter would go ahead after a mid-day pitch inspection.
On arrival at Gigg Lane it was obvious Bradford would be supported by another large following. Obviously starved by the lack of football at the weekend The Claret and Amber Army had made the short journey into Lancashire in the hope that City would record their third win of 2008.
The opening quarter of an hour of this encounter was lacklustre with both sides trying to come to terms with the tricky playing conditions.
Joe Colbeck made one or two promising bursts down the right wing and this looked like it could be City’s best route to goal.
Bradford had to endure some pressure from the Home side in the closing stages of the first half and with the persistent rain still falling, players from both sides were makeing mistakes.
It was one of those mistakes which lead to the opening goal of the game.
Omar Daley crossed the ball into the Bury goalmouth,up jumped Bury centre half Haslam with his arm clearly trying to stop the ball from reaching the City Strikers.
Referee Mr Oliver immediately pointed to the spot.
Barry Conlon stepped up to take the spot kick,and confidently put the ball past Jim Provett in the Bury goal.
Half Time
Bury 0 Bradford 1
The second half got under way with City looking to add to there slender lead but Bury had other idea’s and made several raids into the Bradford half.
Bury’s equaliser eventually came after an uncharacteristic mistake by Matt Clarke who made a right ash of his clearance the ball fell kindly into the path of livewire Bishop who cracked the ball past Ricketts for his 13th goal of the season.
Bury 1 Bradford 1
Bury found a new lease of life and went in search of a second goal but is was City who grabbed what most City fans thought would turn out to be the winner.
Thorne made way for Birthday Boy Kyle Nix.
Conlon,and Evans both went close before Nix received the ball from Daley,Burys keeper came out towards Nix but it was all in vein as the pint sized dynamo struck a low shot into the far corner of the net.
Bury 1 Bradford 2
City were now in the driving seat and should have taken all three points but we all know football can kick you in the teeth and with with only three minutes of normal time remaining Bury delivered the sucker punch.Bradford were caught messing about in midfield and lost the ball cheaply.Bury player Stephens picked up a loose ball and hit a thunderous shot from 25yards past the diving Don.
City survived a late scare when Bury substitute Yeo almost caught Ricketts off guard. Considering the conditions both sets of players struggled to command the game so a draw was just about right but City were desperately close to securing all three points.
Final Score
Bury 2 Bradford 2
Player Ratings
Ricketts 7
Made some important saves.
Williams 5
Lost the ball on more than one occasion
Wetherall 6
Tower at the back.
Clarke 6
Mistake for Bury’s opener.
Heckingbottom 5
Had to be on his guard against a pacey winger.
Colbeck 6
Inconsistent.Good first half.
Bullock 6
Played okay nothing spectacular just the simple stuff.
Evans 4
Poor in my opinion.
Daley 6
Lively but took a knock in the second half.
Thorne 5
Injury to his neck did him no favours.
Conlon 8
Barry never gave up and his hold up play was exceptional.
Kyle Nix 7
Gave City a lift and scored a good goal.
Rhodes N/A
Eddie Johnson made a goalscoring return with the reserves so could Paul Evans make way? He’s had three poor games in a row and looks unfit. Appears to me that we’re carrying him.