Tough start on difficult day for Reds

STANLEY....................... 0 BRADFORD CITY ........ 3

ACCRINGTON Stanley lost their first game under interim manager John Doolan with a 3-0 defeat to in-form Bradford City.

The Bantams made it five league games unbeaten with three first half goals while Tommy Leigh hit the woodwork for the mid-table Reds.

Oli Patrick made his first league start for Stanley with Jake Bickerstaff and Ben Woods returning following the loss at Wrexham.

Bradford came close in the opening seconds but Tyreik Wright could not connect with Richie Smallwood’s cross.

Bickerstaff latched onto a Bradford pass and raced from halfway but his effort was deflected over.

Bradford opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Andy Cook flicked the ball on and Wright slotted home, despite Radek Vitek getting a hand to it.

The Bantams made it two on 23 minutes when a Lewis Richards throw went through to Wright who, one-onone with Vitek, fired low into the far corner of the net.

It was three on 35 minutes when a long goal kick landed at the feet of Cook and he finished for his 16th goal of the season.

Shaun Whalley fired over for Stanley while they came close to getting one back just before the break when Joe Gubbins’ ball into the box was headed against the crossbar by Tommy Leigh.

Whalley had a go after the restart but it was into Walker’s arms while Vitek denied Calum Kavanagh and sub Kavanagh fired narrowly wide soon after. Doolan made a number of substitutions but the Reds could not find a way back.

After the game Doolan said: “The damage was done in the first half but we have some young lads who will learn from playing against their experienced players. It was tough, you can’t give those goals away and I was disappointed with the first-half performance but we showed great reactions in the second half.

“It’s been a difficult week but the lads don’t mean to make mistakes or give the ball away. The second-half reaction was good.”

After the game, Jack Nolan explained just how difficult it had been for the players with the fans on their backs.

“It felt like no-one was behind us. Maybe that had an effect,” he said.

“I’m not disputing that we were 3-0 down but the second half was much better and the Clayton End was behind us.

“It cut deep a bit, from your own fans. You have to be thick-skinned and take it on the chin but you don’t expect it from your own.

“All we’d ask is for fans not to take it out on us on the pitch. There are a lot of young players coming through and they don’t deserve that.

“Emotions are high but people need to stick by us and [Doolan],” said Nolan. “Their departures have hurt us all, whether you think it’s right or wrong.

“They did wonderfully for the football club. I spoke to Jimmy on Saturday and he’s devastated.

“Now our job, as players, is to get behind John Doolan and give him our most, as we did for them.

“Saturday was a bit of a flat atmosphere from when we walked out. There were a few comments made to me from fans on Saturday. I think everyone forgets we’ve all got social media and we see it. We all go out to give 100% for everyone.

“The fans have been here for a long, long time but we felt it was a little bit negative. When the fans are behind us, it definitely helps.”