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Sat 08 Feb 2020
Bradford Town
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Town Through To Vase Quarter Final

Town Through To Vase Quarter Final

Andrew Parker9 Feb 2020 - 16:20
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The Wembley dream lives on in Leighton Buzzard, after a 3-1 victory away from home against Bradford Town.

The Wiltshire side came into the game top of the ToolStation Western League, so Town knew they had to work hard to progress through the Last 16 of the FA Vase.
Work hard they did and on 14 minutes, after frantic opening exchanges, Town took the lead! A poor clearance found the feet of James Towell on the edge of the area, who sublimely controlled and volleyed the ball over the keeper and into the top corner! An unbelievable strike to open the scoring!
With Bradford constantly playing ‘route-one’ football, Town’s rearguard we’re having to deal with long balls and throughout the tie, they dealt with them impeccably!
Brad Kirkwood was tested twice on 27 minutes. After initially making a fine save to tip a drive around the post, he was called back into action from the corner, as he got down low to stop Bradford levelling.
Just 2 minutes later and Town extended their advantage to 2! James Towell broke free down the left flank, making his way into the area before squaring to (you guessed it), Danny Webb, who tucked it home from a two yards out! Elation for the Town, as they took a 2 goal lead, with their 2 only real chances!
Bradford ramped up the pressure even more as the first half drew to a close, with Kirkwood called into action again, making a good low stop.
Just before the break though, the hosts pulled a goal back. A well worked move in the area was finished off at the far post, to give the hosts hope going into the interval.
The second half began with Bradford peppering Town’s backline with long balls, that Resch, Murphy, Foulger and the rest, were more than happy to mop up and deal with.
Kirkwood wasn’t tested to much in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, only having to make one or two comfortable saves.
On 61 minutes, Kieran Turner was replaced by Archie McClelland, as Town used their ever-dependable and quality resources on the bench. The strength in depth is unbelievable.
Bradford’s skipper entered the book on 64 minutes after a cynical foul on Danny Webb, as the latter broke clear.
As the game moved on into the later stages, it became more and more stretched, with Bradford throwing everything forward. With them doing so, that left space in behind for Town. Archie McClelland nearly punished the hosts for not tracking back.
On 72 minutes, Last 32 hero Ashton Campbell was introduced to proceedings, with Danny Webb making way.
Towell and McClelland both had drives saved by the goalkeeper, as Town looked set on finding that 3rd goal.
However, Bradford turned up the pressure with 15 minutes left on the clock and began to dominate. Kirkwood had to make 3 brilliant saves in a 6 minute period to keep the hosts at bay.
Town continued to defend the barrage of long balls coming their way and after clearing one to Campbell, Town went and made it 3. Campbell expertly picked out Towell’s run and the latter squared it to Archie McClelland, who made it 3-1, with 4 minutes to go, right in front of the vocal Town supporters! A carbon copy almost if Danny Webb’s goal earlier, with James Towell instrumental yet again!
With just minutes left, Town had one foot in the quarter finals.
Ross Adams came on in place of Alfie Osborne as the game ticked on.
Kirkwood was called into action again to get down low and make a save, with Town defending resolutely!
Bradford’s defender entering the book for a foul on Towell was the last play of the game and Town had done it! They are through to the quarter finals of the Buildbase FA Vase! Just 2 rounds from playing at Wembley in the final!
A battling, hard-working, disciplined, fantastic performance from Town, as they march on to the Quarters!
Defensively solid as a rock, Brad Kirkwood even being voted man of the match by the Bradford sponsors, offensively so clinical!
What a team to get excited about, what a buzz around the club.
Thank you for your brilliant support on what was a fantastic day! It doesn’t go unnoticed and made for some great scenes!
The draw for the Quarter Finals is on TalkSport on Monday at 1PM! Make sure you tune in.
And join us at home on Tuesday, when we welcome Potton United to Bell Close on the DLT!

Match details

Match date

Sat 08 Feb 2020

Kickoff

15:00
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