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Match Reports

Match Report: Bradford 1-1 Walsall

4 September 2021

Match Reports

Match Report: Bradford 1-1 Walsall

4 September 2021

Walsall picked up a valuable point after playing over 45 minutes with 10-men against Bradford City.

Elliot Watt opened the scoring as the Bantams took an early lead but Jack Earing equalised for the Saddlers.

Within a minute of levelling, Walsall were reduced to 10 men after Joss Labadie was dismissed on the stroke of half time. 

Matt Taylor made one change to the team that beat Stevenage last weekend with deadline day acquisition George Miller coming in for his debut in place of Conor Wilkinson. 

The visitors made a decent start and looked to get on the front foot. Stephen Ward and Jack Earing both had shots blocked in the opening five minutes. 

Bradford’s first chance came after eight minutes when Andy Cook had a shot blocked off the line by Manny Monthe before Gareth Evans’ shot on the follow up was tipped over by Rushworth. 

The hosts opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Watt’s drive from outside the box found the back of the net. 

They came close to doubling their lead when Charles Vernam flashed a header across goal but it just went behind. 

The Saddlers responded well and started to settle back into the game. 

Walsall drew level two minutes before the break when Kiernan squared it across for Earing to prod home. 

Moments after equalising, the Saddlers were reduced to 10 men when Labadie received his marching orders for a challenge on Gareth Evans. 

The Saddlers had to work hard in the second half and started well as they looked to nullify the Bantams. 

Taylor made his first change of the afternoon on 63 minutes has he introduced Tyrese Shade, making a return from injury, in place of Miller to add some fresh legs. 

Bradford began to put more pressure on the 10-men of Walsall in the last 15 minutes as Callum Cooke and substitute Ollie Crankshaw, who was denied by Carl Rushworth, both had decent opportunities. 

Taylor reacted and switched to five at the back with Ash Taylor coming on for Kiernan to help take the sting out of the hosts. 

Bradford continued to push but the Saddlers stood strong and earned a well deserved point.


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