Gifton Noel-Williams' brace earned Stoke a 2-0 victory against relegated
Bradford in a low-key encounter at Valley Parade.
Noel-Williams has had a lean time in front of goal of late but now has three
goals in 12 games and got the ball rolling after just two minutes with a crisp
header.
Bradford battled away admirably all game but lacked the presence of their more
experienced opponents, who were in control of proceedings from the first
whistle.
And it came of little surprise when the former Watford striker extended his
side's advantage with a thumping drive sixty seconds after the restart.
However, the game was ultimately a non-event as the mid-table Potters have
little to play for and were happy to knock around the ball at a leisurely pace,
while Bradford manager Bryan Robson used the match to blood the younger elements
of his squad.
Robson, who has yet to commit his future to the club next season, has endured
a miserable time at Valley Parade since his arrival in November and has
witnessed the Bantams firstly slip back into administration, and then into the
Nationwide Second Division.
Indeed, their very future is in jeopardy if City's creditors snub chief
executive Julian Rhodes' survival package on May 7.
And their on-field problems hardly improved this afternoon as Stoke opened the
scoring on their first foray into the Bradford half.
Highly-rated winger Kris Commons surged down the left flank before angling a
precise delivery which found Noel-Williams who evaded his marker and headed the
ball low and hard into the back of the net.
The home side responded with purpose and Danny Cadamarteri's snap-shot stung
the palms of goalkeeper Ed de Goey, who did superbly to tip the ball to safety.
But Bradford's young and inexperienced players such as Lewis Emanuel, Tom
Penford and Kevin Sanasy struggled to match Stoke's physical clout and the
visitors maintained the upper hand.
However, Sanasy looked a threat when given space to manoeuvre, and he went
closest to restoring parity shortly after the half-hour mark with a fierce drive
which was well parried by de Goey.
But any hopes of a Bradford comeback were dashed a minute into the second half
when Noel-Williams doubled his tally for the afternoon with a fine piece of
individualism.
The 24-year-old striker controlled well with his back to goal, wriggled away
from a late lunge, and fired the ball expertly into the top left-hand corner of
the net.
To their credit, Bradford refused to capitulate, and their supporters have
cause for cautious optimism for a quick-fire return to Division One given the
contributions from some of their young hopes - particularly the impressive
Sanasy.
But for all their spirit, Bradford lacked the creativity to test Stoke's
watertight defence as the visitors barely broke sweat to register a seventh
league away win of the season.
Teams
Bradford Combe, Atherton (Kearney 69), Gavin, Wetherall,
Emanuel, Summerbee, Penford, Wolleaston (Windass 78),
Cadamarteri, Branch (Forrest 45), Sanasy.
Subs Not Used: Paston, Edds.
Booked: Wetherall.
Stoke de Goey, Halls, Thomas, Taggart (Hill 76), Marcus Hall,
Hoekstra (Svard 78), Russell, Henry, Clarke,
Commons (Palmer 83), Noel-Williams.
Subs Not Used: Cutler, Gunnarsson.
Booked: Halls.
Goals: Noel-Williams 2, 46.
Att: 10,147
Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).
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