Rovers kick-started their season away at Valley Parade halting Bradford’s 31 match unbeaten home record in the process as the Blues gained all three points. The clash was highly anticipated due to the pre-season expectations of both sides, however despite the emergence of a winner by full time, the game overall was one of few chances.
After much criticism regarding formations and personnel throughout the week following the 3-1 home defeat against Doncaster, Tony Mowbray opted for a change in system as the Blues lined up in a 4-2-3-1. The game ended with a straightforward 1-0 victory for Rovers as Dominic Samuel headed home a Craig Conway cross in the 47th minute which ultimately guaranteed Rovers their first three points of the season, which was vital in terms of boosting confidence ahead of their next match, which is the small matter of the East Lancashire Derby in the Carabao Cup.
Rovers’ line-up was subtly altered by the manager, who brought in Craig Conway – in place of Peter Whittingham who dropped to the bench – for his first start of the season after the Scot had recovered from a hamstring injury. Due to the change in system and an injury to Ryan Nyambe, Bradley Dack and Dominic Samuel entered the fray, replacing the injured full-back & Danny Graham, who like Whittingham was also a substitute.
From a statistical perspective, Rovers and Bradford were fairly even in terms of possession, with the home side holding 49% of the ball to Rovers’ 51%, however this did not reflect certain spells within the game, which Rovers started on the front foot. Tony Mowbray had noted in his pre-match interview with BBC Radio Lancashire that he wanted the team to start positively and control the game and this was exactly what he and the fans were treated to.
Inside the first minute of the game, Rovers stormed towards Bradford’s back 4 and immediately caused them problems as Elliott Bennett crossed the ball into Dominic Samuel, who turned and struck at goal, only to see his effort blocked by a Bradford man. Corry Evans then followed up the rebounded effort with a strike that whizzed straight past Colin Doyle’s post.
The Blues, who finished the game with 9 shots and 4 on target to Bradford’s 9 and 2, were playing much better football in comparison to the defeat to Doncaster and this was shown as Bradley Dack burst into the opposition area and was brought down by a Bradford man as he was given the ball by Elliott Bennett, however the referee was not convinced with the penalty shout and play continued. Bradford meanwhile took half an hour to impact the game in a manner that would threaten Rovers. 32 minutes in, Shay McCartan was fouled by Richie Smallwood inside the Bradford half, giving the Bantams a free kick, which was floated into the box. The cross was met by Nathaniel Knight-Percival, who headed the ball down into the path of Omari Patrick, whose shot went straight into the gloves of Rovers keeper David Raya.
The theme of penalties continued minutes later as Shay McCartan thought he was brought down in the box. Despite his protests, he was given a yellow card by the referee for simulation. This fortunately did not set a tone for the game as the next real attempt at goal came Rovers’ way. Paul Caddis charged down the right-hand side and fed the ball through to Bradley Dack, who was arguably Rovers’ best player in the first 45 minutes. The former Gillingham man spun and shot towards goal, only to see his effort deflected into the arms of the Bantams keeper Colin Doyle.
The game then dissolved into half-time with nothing noteworthy occurring bar a booking to Rovers’ forward Dominic Samuel. Despite Rovers holding most of the possession and the attempts at goal, much like against Doncaster, they had failed to make their dominance in the game count for anything. However, this was soon to change following the interval.
In contrast to the previous game, Rovers flew into action as they went 1-0 up inside 3 minutes of the second half. Elliott Bennett picked up the ball and laid it off to Craig Conway on the left hand side, who crossed the ball in towards Dominic Samuel. The former Coventry loanee then headed the ball into the back of the Bradford net to give Rovers the lead sending the 1,965 travelling supporters wild.
The game then turned into a battle of possession which Rovers controlled as they limited Bradford to very few chances as seen by the fact they finished the game with only 2 shots on target. One change occurred for Rovers however during the 63rd minute, when Bradley Dack was replaced by Ben Gladwin. This was due to the fact that the outgoing midfielder had picked up an injury after being tackled.
The home fans meanwhile had to wait until the 70th minute before they could see another attempt by their side. Bradford’s right back, Tony McMahon – a player Rovers were reportedly close to signing during pre-season – lined up a free kick on the edge of the Rovers penalty area after Shay McCartan was brought down by Corry Evans. The full-back then stepped up and put the ball wide, past Raya’s right hand upright which handed possession straight back to the visitors and from the resulting goal kick, Rovers crafted an opportunity of their own as they worked the ball up the pitch towards Dominic Samuel, whose attempt was once again blocked by Bradford’s back line.
The match then petered out and with Rovers in total control; Tony Mowbray replaced the goalscorer Dominic Samuel with Marcus Antonsson who made an impressive debut in his cameo appearance with his work rate and hold up play. The boss also introduced Peter Whittingham, in place of Craig Conway, who provided more width and threat at set pieces.
The game ended in fairly calm circumstances for Rovers as David Raya claimed Charlie Wyke’s free kick, which was pumped into the box towards goalkeeper Colin Doyle who came up as a last throw of the dice by Bradford to try and salvage, not only a point, but their 31 game unbeaten run at home as well. This however wasn’t to be as the Blues left Valley Parade as the victors.
The result leaves Rovers in 17th place in the table following a poor start to the season, however with the season only being 3 games in, the Rovers supporters will be hoping that the change in system has convinced manager Tony Mowbray, that as fans may have suggested, the team works better with a four at the back, rather than Mowbray’s preferred five.
