Latics vs. Bradford City

18 February 2022

Latics welcome Bradford City to Boundary Park for a Sky Bet League Two clash as they look to keep up their improved run of form this weekend (3pm KO).

Since John Sheridan returned to Latics for the sixth time, he has had an instant impact, picking up an impressive eight points from just four league games.

The last of which came in a spirited display at Newport County. The ten men of Oldham came close to snatching all three points but were cruelly denied by a late leveller.

Form Guide

The Bantams are on a mixed run of form at present.

Fixture News

18022022 Boundary Bulletin Bradford City

18 February 2022

Their latest defeat at home to Exeter City saw the club part company with former Morecambe boss Derek Adams.

Prior to that loss, their form had been pretty inconsistent as they managed three wins from the nine games that came before that.

This has left them in 12^th position in the table.

They had aspirations of promotion, but currently sit eight points away from a place in the playoffs.

The Bantams’ Last Six:

Bradford City 0-1 Exeter City
Stevenage 0-1 Bradford City
Harrogate Town 2-0 Bradford City
Bradford City 1-1 Leyton Orient
Bradford City 1-2 Crawley Town
Walsall 1-2 Bradford City

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 117

Latics wins: 48
Bradford wins: 35
Draws: 34

When the two sides met earlier on in the season, it was the Bantams who came out on top in a 2-1 victory. With both teams being each other's most-played opponent over their respective histories on either side of the Pennines.

The game was decided in the 98^th minute when Lee Angol scored to complete his brace.

Latics thought they had snatched a point in front of a crowd over 17,000 as Dylan Bahamboula levelled in stoppage time, but it wasn’t to be.

However, in the previous campaign it was Latics who enjoyed more success in the fixture; picking up four points from a possible six in the league, knocking their opposition out of the Emirates FA Cup whilst also winning a Papa John’s Trophy tie.

Watch Out For

Andy Cook has hit double figures for league goals this term.

Andy Cook.jpg

Originally joining Bradford on loan from Mansfield Town for the back end of the 2020/21 season, his performances were good enough to win the forward a permanent move to Valley Parade.

The Bishop Auckland-born striker has been somewhat of a journeyman throughout his career but can boast a very respectable goal record wherever he has been.

His most fruitful days to date were spent with Barrow and Tranmere Rovers in the Vanarama National League.

Cook has also played once for England C team, he played in a 6-1 win over Bermuda in his sole appearance.

In The Dugout

Mark Trueman is the man in the dugout for the visitors.

Mark Trueman.jpg

Standing in on a caretaker basis following the departure of Adams, Trueman will be looking to get up and running as soon as possible with a win at Boundary Park.

He has previous experience with City’s youth set up as a coach and the 34-year-old was part of Adams’ backroom staff which will no doubt ease the transition period for the stand-in boss.

In his playing career, Trueman played for a host of non-league outfits before hanging up his boots in 2020.

Match Officials

The official in the middle for the game is Anthony Backhouse.

Backhouse last officiated a Latics game in October 2021 for our 1-3 defeat against Swindon Town at Boundary Park. On that day, he handed out three yellow cards and zero red cards.

He's taken charge of 25 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 83 yellow cards and one red card.

Backhouse will be assisted by Gary Hilton and Ivan Stankovic, with Scott Jackson as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Despite the recent good form, Latics are still outsiders in the betting for this fixture.

Shez’s men are priced at 2/1 to take three points whilst the Bantams are at the shorter price of 5/4.

The draw is at 9/4.

Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org

How To Follow The Game

Fixture News

08022022 Bradford H Fixture Update

16 February 2022

Live commentary is available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match action.

Unfortunately, an iFollow match pass stream isn't available in the UK due to the 3pm blackout from broadcasters.

For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.

Match Reports

Latics 2-0 Bradford City

19 February 2022

Latics continue their immense upturn in form as John Sheridan’s outfit secure an impressive three points on home turf against Bradford City.

Hallam Hope and Davis Keillor-Dunn fired their side into a well-earned lead before the interval which highlighted the spirit within the squad at the moment.

In the second-half, Paudie O’Connor – wearing the armband – was shown a red card after an altercation with Hope, and then, Tom Elliott’s late goal was chalked off for a foul on Danny Rogers, epitomising the Bantams’ display as Oldham make it five unbeaten.

Shez named two changes to his side as Bradford turned up at Boundary Park in search of an elusive victory. Following a frantic encounter against Newport County, Hallam Hope and Jack Stobbs entered the line-up in front of a bumper crowd for the Roses rivalry as they replaced Dylan Bahamboula (suspension) and Junior Luamba (injury).

Prior to the commencement of the fixture, The Athleticos unveiled a brand new tifo across the Jimmy Frizzell Stand which was a truly stunning sight, and one that embodies the passion amongst the fanbase as they constantly perform as our 12^th man.

After the dismissal of Derek Adams in midweek, the Citizens were aiming to rebuild their confidence on the pitch under the caretaker helm of Mark Trueman and they initially started brightly as they had the first chance of the game.

Alex Gilliead raced down the right-hand side before clipping a cross towards Nathan Delfouneso at the back post, however, the former Aston Villa man steered his header over the crossbar, and then, illustrated a frustrated facial expression.

In the 19^th minute, the hosts found themselves a much-deserved opening goal through Hope. Adams delivered a pinpoint cross to the frontman and he expertly glance his header into the far corner of the goal to impress the gaffer in his first game back in the team.

As emotions remained high, Latics frantically doubled their advantage to the joy of the faithful in the bitterly cold terraces. Keillor-Dunn made it four goals in three games for himself as he coolly directed his header past Alex Bass from close range in front of the away contingent.

Andy Cook, a physical presence alongside intelligent movement, managed to barge his way through on goal, however, the target-man fizzed his low effort straight at Rogers from an acute angle – meaning that the ‘boys in blue’ would head into the interval with a commanding lead.

Following the introduction of Elliott from the bench, the Bantams deployed a lot more long balls in order to ask questions of the Oldham backline. The route one tactic was exemplified as they lofted the ball into the box and Yann Songo’o flicked into the path of O’Connor, however, the captain’s overhead-kick sailed over the crossbar.

With the Paraders applying pressure on Latics, O’Connor severely let his teammates down as he received a needless red card following a tussle against Hope in the 72^nd minute with the latter shown a yellow card. The dismal halted the momentum of the visitors with the frustration vocalised by the Citizens supporters.

Latics went in search of a third and nearly put Bradford out of sight in the match when Adams sprinted down the right-wing before he delivered a cross onto the head of Stobbs, but the wideman navigated his attempt off target.

In the 82^nd minute, the West Yorkshire-side thought that they’d pulled a goal back as Elliott clattered into Rogers, and then, headed into the back of the net, however, the referee spoke to the linesman and the goal was disallowed.

Remarkably, Latics held onto their lead until the final whistle which meant that the Club has beaten the Bantams on their previous four visits to the Ice Station Zebra stemming back to February 2018.

Oldham Athletic XI – Rogers (GK), Clarke, McGahey, Piergianni ©, Hart, Keillor-Dunn, Whelan, Missilou (Hunt 89’), Adams, Stobbs (Vaughan 87’), Hope (Obadeyi 79’).

Unused Subs: Leutwiler (GK), Fage, Diarra, Couto.

Goals: Hope 19’, Keillor-Dunn 23’

Bradford City XI – Bass (GK), O’Connor ©, Songo’o, Cooke (Elliott 53’), Cook (Robinson 83’), Gilliead, Watt, Staunton (Cousin-Dawson 43’), Sutton, Hendrie, Delfouneso.

Unused Subs: O’Donnell (GK), Kelleher, Evans, Daly.

Red Card: O’Connor 72’

Attendance: 7,716 (1,985 away)

Referee – Anthony Backhouse