Bowyer’s Bantams inspired by Reeves
BOSS Gary Bowyer paid tribute to midfielder Jake Reeves, who is making a big impact on Bradford after being out of action for 20 months with a groin injury.
Reeves was man of the match as Bradford consolidated their place in the play-off positions with a win over Newport County.
The match was settled in the 58th minute with a penalty from James Vaughan.
Reeves, who joined Bradford in 2017, had not played a match from January 2018 until he returned to action in a Leasing.com match against Rochdale on November 12. He returned to league action in Bradford’s draw at Macclesfield.
Bowyer said: “He played 82 minutes at Macclesfield. He played a full game today with even more confidence. He is a wonderful footballer.
“He looks like a new signing with how he plays the game, the standards he sets and how he helps other players.”
The Bradford boss, who was booked in the second half along with Newport manager Michael Flynn – a former Bantams midfield player – added: “You always have to work hard in every game and this was no different. I thought we did very well. Kelvin Mellor had a header in the first half following a great delivery from Jake Reeves and I expected him to score. The same with Aramide Oteh. Newport didn’t have a shot on target in the first half.
“The whole place lifted when the penalty went in and I was disappointed we didn’t score more, although the goalkeeper made two outstanding saves.”
After a poor first half, the Bradford skipper intercepted a back pass from Ryan Inniss and was taking the ball round Nick Townsend when the Newport keeper brought him down. Townsend was booked, before Vaughan scored from the spot. Bradford nearly doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Reeves’ free-kick from the right found Oteh unmarked in the box, but Townsend made a brilliant save to turn his header on to the bar.
It was Newport’s fourth defeat in a row and Flynn said: “I had four kids on the bench. To come here with a depleted squad, we held our own against a team I think will be in the top three. We wanted to win today. I am frustrated we lost.”