Bantams’ unlikely lads help out McCall

STUART McCall was a relieved man as Bradford’s play-off push continued with a hardfought win at Oldham.

Centre-back pair Romain Vincelot and Rory McArdle were on target ether side of an extraordinary goal from Oldham’s Brian Wilson, who saw a weak shot somehow bobble over the dive of goalkeeper Colin Doyle.

It was a fourth win in six games in all competitions for McCall’s side, who remain fifth.

“On a difficult pitch, I thought we played some really good stuff,” said McCall.

“We would have been talking about a frustrating day if we hadn’t got three points, but we knew it was a case of finding a way.

“It was a cruel blow to concede just before halftime. We knew the pitch was bumpy, but you don’t expect the ball to bobble over the keeper.

“We came back strong and fought really well. We got ourselves in a lot of good positions and you could sense it was coming.

“Oldham are hard to play against, but it’s a deserved and muchneeded win.”

Bradford started strongly and Tony McMahon forced a nearpost save from home keeper Connor Ripley.

Vincelot glanced home Josh Cullen’s cross for the lead, before right-back Wilson embarked on an adventurous run towards the box. Though his left-foot shot was weak, it somehow bounced over Doyle – much to the disbelief of just about everyone in the ground.

Bradford upped the tempo after the break. Jordy Hiwula brought another good stop from Ripley when he burst through and Cullen also extended the stopper, before Ryan McLaughlin was a whisker away at the other end.

Ollie Banks cleared a McArdle header off the line but the Bradford man made sure on 76 minutes, forcing home Vincelot’s header after Billy Clarke’s free-kick caused issues.

Doyle produced a save from Billy Mckayas he spun and shot from near the penalty spot, but the Bantams were good value for the win. “You can see why Bradford are up there and it was a difficult game for us,” said Oldham manager John Sheridan. “The disappointing thing was the two goals we conceded.

“We worked hard to stop them playing through us but we let in two goals from set plays.

“The lads worked their socks off. I can’t fault their effort. I just didn’t think we really got going and it was a difficult afternoon.

“I told the players not to beat themselves up too much. Sometimes you have to accept that the better side won.”