SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday November 20th, 3.00pm
Utilita Energy Stadium
BRADFORD CITY 1
Charles Vernam 67
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Mitch Pinnock 60
Attendance: 15,372 (426 Cobblers fans)
Bradford: Richard O'Donnell, Liam Ridehalgh, Paudie O'Connor, Niall Canavan, Yann Songo'o, Callum Cooke (sub Abo Eisa 84), Alex Gilliead, Charles Vernam, Elliot Watt, Theo Robinson (sub Caolan Lavery 60), Finn Cousin-Dawson
Subs not used: Sam Hornby, Matthew Foulds, Ficcre Kelleher, Gareth Evans, Levi Sutton
Cobblers: Liam Roberts, Aaron McGowan, Fraser Horsfall, Jon Guthrie, Ali Koiki, Shaun McWilliams, Jack Sowerby (sub Nicke Kabamba 90), Sam Hoskins, Paul Lewis, Mitch Pinnock, Kion Etete (sub Danny Rose 45)
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Scott Pollock, Jordan Flores, Dylan Connolly, Max Dyche
Referee: Carl Boyeson
Booked:
Bradford: Niall Canavan (63), Yann Songo'o (70), Alex Gilliead (88)
Cobblers: Jack Sowerby (88, 2nd of the season), Jon Brady (88)
5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Bradford: none
Cobblers: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Aaron McGowan, Mitch Pinnock and the fit again Jack Sowerby all came back into the Northampton Town side for the trip to Bradford City.
Liam Roberts made a good early save to deny Callum Cooke while, for the Cobblers, Kion Etete couldn’t quite get on the end of a teasing cross in from Sam Hoskins.
Paudie O'Connor made an important challenge with Etete bearing down on goal and former Cobblers goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell gathered in a header from Fraser Horsfall as Jon Brady’s side tried to prise an opening. There was then a chance for Bradford on the break but Roberts was alert to the danger, racing off his line to deny the onrushing Charles Vernam.
The Cobblers were dealt an injury blow when Etete was unable to continue after being caught by the arm of a Bantams defender and the on-loan Spurs striker was replaced by Danny Rose in first half stoppage time.
Mitch Pinnock made the breakthrough on the hour mark and it was a terrific solo goal from the midfielder who finished low past O’Donnell after initially picking up the ball in his own half and embarking on a lung busting forward run.
Hoskins saw a free-kick deflected behind and Pinnock had a volley well-blocked as the Cobblers looked for a second goal but Bradford then equalised against the run of play, Charles Vernam with a cool finish after being played in by substitute Caolan Lavery.
Rose shot just wide and McGowan, played in by Sowerby, fired into the side netting in a couple of half chances for the Cobblers. Alex Gilliead was somewhat fortunate to only receive a yellow card following a challenge on Roberts with Jon Brady then also booked by referee Carl Boyeson.
Six additional minutes were added at the end of the regular 90 but neither side could find a winner in injury time and the game ended all-square.
BRADFORD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3
CORNERS: (2) 3
FOULS: (8) 16
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 6
CORNERS: (1) 2
FOULS: (3) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2