Millers beaten by Bantams

A goal rush in the first half saw Bradford get all three points in this entertaining re-arranged Yorkshire derby game at Valley Parade this evening.

The Millers were first out of the blocks and could have taken an early lead but Chris O’Grady’s shot hit the inside of the post and Ben Starosta cleared from the rebound. But within minutes, City came back and took the lead when Dale Tonge under-hit a pass and Omar Daley pounced on the ball, raced into the box and drove home an unstoppable shot from fifteen yards out. Just two minutes later the Millers were caught napping and the home side doubled their lead with Joe Colbeck delivering a perfect cross for Alex Rhodes who tapped the ball into the empty net. A few minutes later, O’Grady passed to Mark Hudson who saw his shot hit the woodwork and go straight into Scott Loach’s waiting hands. Then, just before the half hour mark, Ian Ross’s superb pass found Ryan Taylor who controlled the long ball before slotting it in past Loach from close range. Two minutes before the end of the half, Lee Bullock got on the end of a cross from Colbeck and headed the ball past Andy Warrington to restore the home sides two goal cushion.

The second half didn’t quite live up to the first and the visitors started to get on top and got a goal back from O’Grady, who looked lively tonight, when he drilled the ball in at the near post. Bradford started to look a little nervy and Peter Thorn wasted two easy chances, one in front of goal with no one to beat and the final five minutes was quite frantic but in the end the home side held out.

So many chances missed again by Mark Robins team tonight and even allowing for the windy conditions, some of the crosses were woefully short. The Millers really have to do the double over Accrington at Millmoor at the weekend.