Derby Day Delight For The Sulphurites

It was derby day on Saturday lunchtime at The Exercise Stadium, with Bradford City the visitors to local rivals, Harrogate Town.

Although a short distance of 20 miles separates these two clubs, this is a rivalry that has only established in recent times, having spent most of their existences several leagues apart.

Bradford City might have the richer history, but on a sunny afternoon in North Yorkshire, it was Harrogate Town who would have the local bragging rights following a deserved 2-1 victory.

Harrogate Town started as brightly as the sun in the sky, and looked to catch the visitors cold early on. Maybe it was the early kick off, but Bradford City had no answers to the home sides energetic start. This early pressure took just 11 minutes to pay dividends, when Stephen Dooley finished off a slick move, scoring not only his first goal of the season, but also his first for the club. Credit to the impressive Gibson for a lovely diagonal pass, and to Sims for the assist.

11 minutes after scoring their first goal, Harrogate Town scored again to double their lead. Ellis Taylor reacted quickest in the box, receiving a pass from Daly, to thrash home a low drive that went beyond the away team’s goalkeeper. The attacking midfielder continuing his impressive start to his Harrogate career.

Bantams manager Graham Alexander demanded a reaction from his players, and to their credit, they did show signs of being up for the fight. Shortly afterwards, profilic goalscorer Andy Cook, raced clear of the opposition defence before coolly dinking a left-footed finish over the onrushing Belshaw and in to the bottom corner. 2-1. Game on.

The first half was in itself a game of two halves, with Harrogate Town dominating early on before it settled in to a more even contest. A good advert for League Two football; an open match with chances at both ends, moments of entertaining football, and three well-taken goals.

The second half was a more cagey affair with two evenly matched sides cancelling each other out. A plethora of substitutions contributing to the loss of rhythm for either side. Lots of huff and puff but little else, which of course suited the home side who comfortably saw out the 90 minutes to secure a 2-1 win and a valuable 3 points.

Following an encouraging start to the season, three games without a win sees Bradford City now in mid-table in League Two, just one point ahead of Harrogate Town, whose two home wins in a row has propelled them away from the bottom end of the table.

A quick turnaround sees both clubs back in league action on Tuesday night. Bradford travel to Morecambe, whilst Harrogate will host MK Dons.