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Story of the game:
Just shy of two minutes had passed before the first major moment of the game, with the ball finding Scott Banks, who would cross the ball and findthe head of Lee Angol for the home side, but the resulting header failed to test Crewe keeper Arthur Okonkwo and went well over the bar, though this was a positive start for Bradford.
With 10 minutes gone the Bantams had had the most attacking potential and they were making the Alex’s defence work, but aside from a corner that came to nothing, Bradford found themselves unable to capitalise on this momentum against an away side who up to this point had offered very little in the way of an attacking threat.
The hosts came knocking again on the 15 minute mark, with Harry Chapman playing a through ball towards Angol, but the Crewe defence were able to close him down well, allowing for Okonkwo to safely collect the ball and keep the scores level.
The Alex would then counter-attack and managed to win a free-kick, but this ultimately came to nothing after being fired well over the bar by Tariq Uwakwe for a lacklustre first real effort for the visitors.
Bradford would find themselves back on the attack on the 19 minute mark, with Banks unleashing a curled effort that tested Okonkwo and forced a strong save out of the Crewe keeper, with the resulting corner leading to nothing of note.
Banks would be the man of action again for the Bantams on the 27 minute mark, with the Crystal Palace loanee beating his defenders and firing an effort that rattled the crossbar, the closest to a goal the game had come so far and a real statement of intent from the home side, whilst also being a wake-up call for Crewe.
The Alex would recover well and respond with a stint of attacking momentum that culminated in the ball Dan Agyei, with the forward outmuscling his markers and releasing a close-ranged effort that forced a good save out of Harry Lewis in the Bradford net.
The last 15 minutes of the half provided very little in the way of entertainment, with a lack of creativity costing the Bantams against an unremarkable Crewe side, meaning the two teams went in level at the break and with a point to prove in the second-half.
The game resumed with Bradford on the front foot, with them having the first effort of the half on 48 minutes, a Richie Smallwood whipped-in free-kick that eventually fell to substitute Kian Harratt, but his volleyed effort may as well have ended up in Row Z of the TL Dallas Stand, with it being no problem for Okonkwo.
Crewe’s first effort of the half came with just short of 55 minutes gone, with Callum Ainley laying the ball off to Uwakwe, but the forward’s effort, much like Harratt’s a few minutes earlier, flew miles over the bar, much to the amusement of the home support.
Bradford managed to retake control of the game, allowing for the ball to find the feet of substitute Jake Young on 59 minutes, with him firing an effort that dipped and went just over the bar, the closest the ball had been to finding the back of the net so far in the half and a sign of encouragement, something the Bantams desperately needed as the game entered the final half an hour.
The visitors had a rare glimpse of a chance on 69 minutes, with the ball finding Ainley in the box and leading to an effort that was indistinguishable as a cross or a shot, though it forced a save out of Lewis and allowed for a Bradford counter attack led by Young that resulted in a corner that was easily dealt with by the Alex.
As the game was well into the last 15 minutes, Banks once again found himself the centre of attention and managed to challenge Okonkwo with a well-hit shot, though it was caught by the Crewe keeper.
The game reached the 80 minute mark and Crewe’s Courtney Baker-Richardson found himself on the attack after a defensive error, but his effort, whilst powerful, would end up flying wide of the net, with Baker-Richardson going down injured following the shot, with him requiring brief treatment.
Despite seven minutes of added time and some late pressure from Bradford that included a couple of penalty shouts, neither side was able to break the deadlock, with the game finishing as an at points promising, but ultimately lacklustre goalless draw.
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Manager’s thoughts:
Despite the result, Bantams manager Mark Hughes remained positive and was honest about the game itself.
This is the second team that Bradford have been held to a goalless draw at home this season, the first being against Doncaster Rovers on the opening day.
Regarding the identical result against Crewe, Hughes said: “I’m disappointed that we haven’t been able to get maximum points and we clearly didn’t deserve that in terms of our dominance of the game.”
”Another team’s come with the intention of frustrating us and that’s frustrating from our point of view” Hughes continued.
Despite the result, Bradford’s young players made themselves noticed, particularly Jake Young and Scott Banks, who both made life difficult at times for the Crewe defenders.
Hughes took note of this, saying: “They’re doing very well at the moment and we’re pleased with what they’re producing.”
”Scott is technically very good and Jake is more direct and he’s really quick” Hughes continued.
Bradford’s next challenge sees them take on Sheffield Wednesday at Valley Parade in midweek, something that Hughes is looking forward to.
Regarding the competition itself, Hughes said: “We’re looking forward to it. “It’s an opportunity to give a run out to the guys that need game time.”
”If you progress, it’s a Wembley final” Hughes exclaimed, proving that he sees benefits in the competition.
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Final Thoughts:
Bradford will be frustrated with the draw and will feel as if they could have easily won the game on another day after having the better of the chances, whilst Crewe had arrived looking for a point, and can go home knowing that they got exactly what they set out to do.
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Attendance and Man Of The Match:
Attendance: 16,541 (439 away)
MOTM: Scott Banks: Bradford City