Bradford City vs Doncaster Rovers: LIVE updates as Bantams skipper tips Rovers for promotion push
and live on Freeview channel 276
As many as 20,000 fans are expected at Valley Parade for the mouth-watering opening-day clash, which has been billed as ‘one the standout games of the season’.
Indeed, both sides would expect to be in the promotion mix at the end of the season. Today be the first test of their credentials.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSpeaking ahead of the clash, Bradford captain Richie Smallwood said: “It is a massive fixture for the league.
“It is two big clubs who should not really be in this division, and I think it is one of the standout games of the season. It will be one where we can put down a marker, which we want to do.
“We know they will be up there, so it would be nice to get a win.”
Doncaster will be backed by 2,000 travelling supporters in West Yorkshire.
Scroll down for live updates.
Bradford City vs Doncaster Rovers LIVE
Key Events
- Doncaster haven’t won on the opening day since the 2018/19 season
- Both sides tipped for promotion push - and each has tipped the other to compete this term
- Rovers beginning life back in the fourth tier for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign
Well you would say Doncaster will be the happier side after that, but Tomlin’s red card has made their job in the second half a whole lot more difficult.
Rovers had been growing into the game, albeit slowly, but Bradford once again have their tails up and there’s an air of expectancy among the home fans now.
A big task ahead in the second 45.
Tomlin goes into the book...twice
This is pantomine stuff. At first he refused to budge for a free-kick, insisting the ball should be moved back. Then he pushed the ball back again after receiving a yellow card for his troubles. A Bradford player tries to usher him away and Tomlin throws himself to the ground, presumably trying to take someone else into the book with him.
The referee sides with the home team and shows Tomlin a second yellow. Big hill to climb. Josh Andrews ready to come on.
Nine minutes added on
For Osadebe’s injury, obviously.
Not long after the board goes up Rovers get their first chance. Lee Tomlin takes down a ball into the box and finds George Miller. He can’t quite escape the attention of a Bradford defender, though, as his effort is blocked.
Rovers still holding firm
They will definitely be the more pleased of the teams if this is 0-0 at half-time. Bradford have seen much more of the ball and asked far more questions - as you might expect - but aside from Oliver’s earlier effort Mitchell has not been tested.
Adam Clayton talked about keeping the crowd quiet being one of the key’s to this one. They’ve still got some work to do on that but 0-0 at half-time would represent a job well done for the visitors.
Good Rovers break
Hurst nicks the ball back in his own half and drives forward. Before he can release the ball to George Miller he’s taken down, forcing a free-kick.
Clayton’s subequent delivery ends up going out for a corner, which comes to nothing due to an offside.
Good work from Hurst
He’s grown into this one. Gets on the ball in the final third but can’t get the better of Brad Halliday. Still, tracks back and cuts out a Bradford break.
Home side dominating so far but Rovers holding their own.
Rovers starting to settle
Hope I don’t curse them, but the crowd and game have settled soemwhat and Rovers are seeing a bit more of the ball.
Still probably less than half way through this half because of the lengthy stoppage.
Degruchy forces a corner
A clever pass from Clayton is cut out as far as 18-year-old Degruchy, who takes on two Bradford players and wins a corner.