Many Bantams fans like my self saw the script for this match as already being written. An in form city versus an out form bottom of the table Crewe. The outcome looked clear.
From just 7 minutes in city where having a test at the Crewe goal when James Hanson's right footed shot from the middle of the box sailed agonisingly wide of the right post. Crewe would try their hand next when Bradden Inman forced an early save from City keeper Ben williams, after his 8th minute, right footed shot came blasting to the bottom left corner from outside the box.
Williams didn't looked too worried however.
19 minutes in saw James Hanson back in front of goal this time meeting the ball with his head but placing it over the bar. Two minutes later Bradford City had yet another chance to open the scoring when Kyel Reid struck from the left hand side of the box, with his left foot and forced Crewe's keeper Ben Garrett to make a save to his bottom left of the net. 37 minutes in saw Billy knot try his luck for City with a left footer of his own but was easily saved by Garrett straight in the centre of goal.
It took Bradford to the stroke of half time to break the deadlock at Valley Parade, when Tony Mcmahon's cross found the head of Gary Liddle, who controlled it beautifully into the bottom right corner.
Bradford 1-0.
After half time it was back to business as usual for the City boys with on Ben Garrett keeping the score line the same and hope for Crewe alive. He saved a good right footed shot by City's James Hanson struck down the centre of the goal just 5 minutes after the restart. Crewe would have a chance to get back in the game and level things up when at 53 minutes in Ryan Colcough right footed shot came in, but Ben Williams saved gracefully in the centre of the goal.
Just five minutes later however the last nail had been placed in the coffin of Crewe, when a beautifully executed shot from Billy Clarke with his left foot came sailing from the left of the six-yard box in to the centre of the goal. Bradford 2-0.
Crewe still clung to hope though as Ryan Colcough's right footed attempt from the middle of the box was turned out for a corner by City keeper Williams.
It would be whipped in to the box but found the head of Nathan Clarke who sent it out for another corner. Crewe still could not find that elusive goal.
Bradford would try to widen the margin just after the hour mark when Tony Mcmahon left footed strike from just inside the box would narrowly miss to the left of goal.
Crewe would fight back moments later with Bradden Inman, his right footed shot from outside the box pulling a good save from City keeper Williams.
Crewe would then make two substitutions with returning Billy Bingham making way for Chris Atkinson and Stephen Kingsley replacing Jon Guthrie.
James Hanson would miss making it three goals for Bradford on 72 minutes as his header went agonisingly wide, Bradden Inman came close to giving Crewe a goal back when hanother shot from outside the box sailed close to the goal but not close enough to trouble the keeper.
Bradford goal scorer Billy clarke, who had returned from knee injury was substituted at 79 minutes to be replaced by Devante Cole. soon after Chris Routis who had returned from a calf injury replaced Billy Knott.
On the storke of 90 minutes Bradford had another chance to go three up when substitute Devante Cole would pull out a right footed shot to the left corner of the goal forcing Crewe's keeper Ben Garrett to have to turn it round the goal for a corner. The corner would not produce any further chance and Bradford fans were happy to hear the final whistle.
It was job well done for the Bantams who had most of the possession (55%-45%) and most of the shots, City taking 15 shots 6 of which were on target, in comparison Crwew only had six shots all game with 4 being on target.
for other stories check out: