Bradford City 1-0 Rochdale

Rochdale went out of the FA Cup to lower league opposition for the 4th time in four seasons, this time at the hands of League 2 Bradford City. A wonder strike from Bantams substitute Nahki Wells with 6 minutes remaining was enough for the Yorkshire outfit to book their place in round 2 and heap further pressure on Dale manager Steve Eyre.

The Dale boss named 2 changes to the side that lost on penalties to Preston in midweek. Dean Holden replaced Stephen Darby at right back whilst Nicky Adams got the nod over Nathan Eccleston.

Dale started the game the better of the 2 sides with Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro forcing a low save from McLaughlin whilst the home stopper had to be alert to push a Jones strike around the post. From the corner Akpa-Akpro headed straight at the keeper.

Harry Bunn had a chance to open the scoring just before the half hour mark. With his back to goal, Bunn turned his man on the edge of the area but McLaughlin was equal to his strike and his parry was cleared.

Bradford’s only real chance of the half fell to Ross Hannah when he headed a Lucas punched clearance straight back at the Dale keeper.

The last chance of the half fell to Dale but Akpa-Akpro’s shot lacked pace and McLaughlin gathered.

The talk of half time was how poor Bradford were and how strong Eyre’s team were looking. Dale again started the second half the stronger but Gary Jones fired high over the bar from a Bunn lay off.

Bunn fired over the bar from the 6 yard box after great work down the right from Akpa-Akpro.

The home side almost capitalised on a referee error on 70 minutes when Hanson’s shot was well off target, so much so that the official must have thought it took a touch off a Dale player and awarded a corner. From the flag kick, defender Luke Oliver beat Lucas but Kennedy was on hand to clear off the line.

 A minute later Compton crossed for Wells whose volley was well saved by Lucas as the home side started to get a hold on the game.

In-decision in the Dale defence allowed Hanson in at goal but once he rounded the keeper he pulled the ball back for Mitchell who had the beating of Lucas but Jordan was on hand to again deny on the goal-line.

The game was really opening up and Bunn forced 2 fine saves from McLaughlin. Firstly a snap shot from the on loan City striker was beaten away by the home stopper whilst moments later Bunn’s volley was pushed away and Grimes’ follow up was tipped wide.

Wells’ had a snap shot that went wide for the home side but that was just a practice as minutes later Wells gave the Bantams the lead. Wells picked up on the half way line before running towards the Dale backline. As the defenders backed off, Wells, from fully 35 yards hit an unstoppable strike into Lucas top right hand corner.

That strike was enough to put the hosts into the hat for the next round and place more pressure on Steve Eyre as his side are now on a run of no win in 9 games.

Steve Eyre spoke afterwards: “The goal was certainly good enough to win this Cup tie and we would have loved it had it been one of our players.

“I thought it was a pulsating second half and a controlled first half by us. We were looking to push on in the second half but they came out rejuvenated.

“I thought it was a game that would drift out to be a draw and head for a replay. I feel desperately hard done by for the team, the club and the supporter.

“We will bounce back from this.

“I thought both keepers were stretched as the game opened up towards the end.”

Att:3579 (670 away)

Rochdale: Lucas, Jordan, Holness, Holden, Jones (C), Tutte (Eccleston 86), Barry-Murphy, Kennedy,  Akpa-Akpro,  Adams( Grimes 71), Bunn

Subs (not used): Edwards, Gray, Darby, Balkestein, Benali

Bradford City: McLaughlin, O’Brien, Flynn, Oliver, Jones, Hannah (Wells 65), Compton, Williams, Mitchell, Moore (Ramsden 54), Devitt (Hanson 65)

Subs (not used): Duke, Dean, Bryan, Reid
Referee: Mr D Mohareb
Ass Referee: Mr K Lawson, Mr I Dudley
4th Official: Mr D Handley