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Walsall 2-3 Bradford City

Last updated on .From the section League Twocomments20

Andy Cook returned to haunt his old club as Bradford kept alive their League Two play-off hopes and dented Walsall's with a win at the Bescot Stadium.

Walsall led through Ryan Stirk and Mo Faal before Cook pulled one back and set up two for Jamie Walker, who was later sent off.

The Saddlers went in front after seven minutes as Isaac Hutchinson put Stirk clear to slot home from 12 yards.

Faal added a second four minutes later, pouncing on a mix-up between Walker and Dan Oyegoke to loop home a header.

Bradford were back in it three minutes later as Cook headed home a deep cross.

Hutchinson hit a post for Walsall but Bradford levelled five minutes before half-time as another towering Cook header was nodded in by Walker.

Walker completed the turnaround after 53 minutes, thumping home from eight yards after Cook's header was blocked, before seeing red 15 minutes later for two quickfire cautions.

But Bradford held on as Tom Knowles hit the woodwork late on for Walsall, who must win their final game and rely on several other results going their way.

Bradford are four points adrift of the top seven with two matches left.

Report supplied by PA Media.

Line-ups

Walsall

Formation 3-1-4-2

  • 22Smith
  • 2OkagbueSubstituted forJames-Taylorat 79'minutes
  • 5Daniels
  • 21AllenBooked at 32mins
  • 14ComleySubstituted forTierneyat 59'minutes
  • 12FoulkesSubstituted forKnowlesat 59'minutesBooked at 90mins
  • 8Hutchinson
  • 25Stirk
  • 3Gordon
  • 23FaalSubstituted forJohnsonat 74'minutes
  • 18GordonSubstituted forMattat 60'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Evans
  • 6Farquharson
  • 9Matt
  • 10Knowles
  • 11James-Taylor
  • 26Tierney
  • 39Johnson

Bradford

Formation 3-4-1-2

  • 1Walker
  • 22Oyegoke
  • 5Platt
  • 18KellyBooked at 45minsSubstituted forOduorat 82'minutes
  • 2Halliday
  • 7WalkerBooked at 68mins
  • 6SmallwoodBooked at 90mins
  • 36WrightBooked at 67minsSubstituted forRichardsat 89'minutes
  • 23PointonSubstituted forTomkinsonat 73'minutes
  • 9Cook
  • 8KavanaghSubstituted forGillieadat 73'minutes

Substitutes

  • 11Gilliead
  • 12Oduor
  • 13Doyle
  • 14Smith
  • 20Chapman
  • 31Tomkinson
  • 32Richards
Referee:
Adam Herczeg
Attendance:
6,656

Match Stats

Home TeamWalsallAway TeamBradford
Possession
Home53%
Away47%
Shots
Home22
Away11
Shots on Target
Home8
Away5
Corners
Home9
Away4
Fouls
Home13
Away14

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Walsall 2, Bradford City 3.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Walsall 2, Bradford City 3.

  3. Post update

    Attempt saved. Jamille Matt (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Isaac Hutchinson with a cross.

  4. Booking

    Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) is shown the yellow card.

  5. Booking

    Tom Knowles (Walsall) is shown the yellow card.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Tom Knowles (Walsall).

  7. Post update

    Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Post update

    Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Sam Walker.

  9. Post update

    Attempt saved. Tom Knowles (Walsall) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  10. Post update

    Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Richard Smallwood.

  11. Post update

    Attempt saved. Douglas James-Taylor (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ross Tierney with a cross.

  12. Post update

    Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Brad Halliday.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Bradford City. Lewis Richards replaces Tyreik Wright.

  14. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jamille Matt (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Taylor Allen with a cross following a corner.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Matthew Platt.

  16. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Isaac Hutchinson (Walsall) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Danny Johnson (Walsall).

  18. Post update

    Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Tom Knowles (Walsall) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Isaac Hutchinson.

  20. Post update

    Foul by Clarke Oduor (Bradford City).

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Comments

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20 comments

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 19:32 20 Apr

    The 1st 20 mins were pants, but some real guts (& great saves from Super Sam Walker) to come back & win from 2-0 down. Get in City, up the Bantams!

  • Comment posted by Aidan, at 19:47 20 Apr

    Who would have thought it a month ago. If we can win a tough game at Barrow on Tuesday and Colchester beat Donny. All to play for and a near 20k crowd for last game home to Newport (which knowing City we would lose😅). Walsall were unlucky today but looks like our luck could be changing just at the right time. If not hey ho we will see the good set of Saddlers fans for another beer next year.

    • Reply posted by jay, at 21:09 20 Apr

      jay replied:
      If what you said does happen your still going to need Crawley and Donny to slip up next Sat. Shame Bradford didnt start their run a few games before, as everone outside the top 4 and Doncaster have been in awful form.

  • Comment posted by John Devey, at 19:32 20 Apr

    No complaints the desire to win and a super start by The Saddlers in the end not enough sadly.Bradford a big club and having ex Saddler Cook on fire.We cheered him together when he played for us Each return he excels will never know why he left Enjoyed the game as did many

  • Comment posted by Silly McFlipFlops, at 19:21 20 Apr

    An unlikely victory away to Barrow could make it still worth something to play for on the final day at home.

    As always: 'Up the Paraders!

  • Comment posted by daw, at 20:09 20 Apr

    This was a good old fashion game of football, both teams went for it.
    When Walsall came to Bradford .
    A decent end to our season, 12 from 15pts.
    I

  • Comment posted by daw, at 20:13 20 Apr

    Sorry sent previous msg in error,
    meant to add - when Walsall came to Bradford I was impressed.

  • Comment posted by Mel, at 10:01 21 Apr

    Sadly both teams have fallen short this season and will have to go again in August to try and get out of this league.

  • Comment posted by stanley, at 20:06 20 Apr

    If bradford can we in the next 2 games , play off coming

  • Comment posted by rupert dalrimple, at 11:00 21 Apr

    Not our day today better team won 👍

  • Comment posted by Bantams, at 07:38 21 Apr

    There's still life in the old dog yet.

  • Comment posted by John Turkey, at 04:33 21 Apr

    well done City, just keep this going

  • Comment posted by Harrogate Bantam, at 12:58 21 Apr

    Well done City, unfortunately we may have left it to late to make the playoffs. Cook just loves scoring against his old clubs, hope that continues on Tuesdays!

  • Comment posted by MC1000, at 23:09 20 Apr

    I have more chance of being named and shamed on Taylor Swift's next album than Bradford do of making the playoffs

    • Reply posted by david, at 14:04 21 Apr

      david replied:
      I've more chance of singing on her album

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 21:13 20 Apr

    We looked doomed to yet another season in the lower league. Oh for the ghosts of Tony Richards, John Christie, Billy Moore and the rest of that fourth division championship winning team to visit the Bescot stadium and reinvigorate the Bescot Stadium like they did at Fellows Park. They were proud to play for the Saddlers!

    • Reply posted by John Devey, at 10:47 21 Apr

      John Devey replied:
      Remember catching overnight supporters coach to St James Park Exeter first game of 1958 season long trip no M5 The team flew from Bham to Exeter airport Bad start 0-3 but slowly improved until those glory seasons 59/60 60/61 Feel confident structures are in place for more of that in the future.Hopefully Andy Cook will soon retire.After all he has a duty to his employers to do his best.

  • Comment posted by Paul Marston, at 20:50 20 Apr

    Blowing a two goal lead and conceding three at home proves Walsall were not good enough for the play-offs. Let's hope Richard O'Kelly can improve them next season now he is back at the club.

  • Comment posted by Tommytom1, at 23:28 20 Apr

    Surprises me, big crowds big support Bradford and a big memorable win, but only 11 comments.

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Stockport452711795464992
2Mansfield452413889464385
3Wrexham4525101087513685
4MK Dons452381479641577
5Crewe451913136864470
6Barrow441814126053768
7Crawley45207187167467
8Doncaster44207176765267
9Walsall451811166868065
10Bradford441712155557-263
11Gillingham45189184455-1163
12Wimbledon451614155950962
13Harrogate451711175867-962
14Notts County45187208985461
15Tranmere45176226666057
16Morecambe45179196478-1457
17Newport45167226172-1155
18Accrington45159215970-1154
19Swindon451411207480-653
20Salford451311216480-1650
21Grimsby451116185772-1549
22Colchester441111225775-1844
23Sutton United45914225580-2541
24Forest Green45109264378-3539
View full League Two table

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