180 Minutes Without Goals

Bradford City extended their winless run to five games with a 0-0 draw at Sincil Bank.

The two cities of Lincoln and Bradford played out a sometimes entertaining but mostly frustrating game of Boxing Day football in which neither side was able to find the breakthrough.

In a game that was low on chances for either sides it was really an opportunity for the goalkeeping talents of Rob Burch (a pre-season target of Stuart McCall) and Rhys Evans to be displayed with both men producing saves of note.

The hosts would probably feel the most disappointed with a point after seeing a shot cleared off the line (by Michael Boulding), N'Guessan being thwarted and Lee Frecklington firing over when it seemed easier to hit the back of the net.

However, Omar Daley and Nicky Law might feel they should have had penalties in a game refereed by another disappointment in Neil Swarbrick whilst Michael Boulding should have done better on the stroke of half time and Omar Daley had a 25 yard effort well stopped by the Imps' keeper as the match drew to a close.

From a free-scoring and leaking defence the Bantams have now gone 180 minutes without either conceding or defending. Had it not been for the madness at the end of the Brentford game that could have been a statistic that included another 90 minutes.

Peter Thorne hasn't scored since November whilst the Barry Conlon/Michael Boulding partnership has not looked particularly strong at any point in the season. Sunday's game against Morecambe will hopefully see the Bantams return to attacking ways, and the brief appearance for Dean Furman suggests that he might be in contention, but much will hinge on how much the returning players of Lee Bullock, Chris Brandon and Joe Colbeck can turn these draws, and losses, into 3 points.

Sunday is half way, hopefully the Bantams can produce a consistent second half to the season results-wise even if, football wise, they are very much a team of two halves!

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