Match Report -
Chances Galore
By Debbie Taylor

Celtic had enough chances to win three games, but could convert only one, and when a former Celt, grabbed an equaliser that was enough to secure a point for the visitors, despite a second half dismissal.

Jon Stewart was the busiest of the two keepers, starting off a fine performance with an athletic tip over from Alex Johnson's fierce angled drive, but that was no match to the point blank reaction save when Bohan Dixon got onto a superb Aidan Chippendale cross to nod home what he had to believe would be the opening goal, but for some fine keeping. Jack Higgins unleashed a rocket of a shot that Stewart was happy to see fly wide, whilst Adam Farrell did likewise moments later as Celtic got closer and closer to scoring.

When the goal came, it was from a long Farrell throw, right into the mix, Jack Higgins on hand to flick the header backwards over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Bradford almost immediately equalised, when Michael Potts went close, his shot clipping the crossbar, and then moments later, he was free again in the box, the turn and shot was excellent, a narrow angle but left Tony McMillan no chance.

Celtic went looking for the winner, with Farrell and even Peter Wylie getting chances, but failing to hit the target.

Second half wasn't quite one-way traffic, but almost. After Bradford had proven dangerous on the break, Craig King should have done better with James Walshaw's long diagonal cross, but after this, Celtic constantly pressed their visitors. Chippendale curled in a great effort from the corner of the box that Stewart did well to palm away, the loose ball falling to Aaron Chalmers (on for Alex Johnson who had run himself into the ground), but his thunderous effort was just over the bar with Stewart grasping air.

Luke Dean saw red after a string of fouls throughout the game, including, impressively, fouling three Celtic players in as many seconds. By the time he brought down Jack Higgins, the ref had had enough, and showed him a second yellow.

As the game went into the final five minutes, Dixon forced Stewart into another point blank save with a pin point header that had the Avenue keeper changing direction in the air to tip the ball away, whilst from the corner Farrell fired over. Chalmers's free kick was agonizingly wide; and, right at the death, Dale Wright had a wonderful opportunity to snatch a deserved three points, but again, Celtic were off target.

A much improved performance that bodes well for the remainder of the season.

1Stewart, Jon  
2Pursehouse, Alex  
3Mather, Adam  
4Dean, LukeRed Card 
5Clayton, Adam  
6Ainge, Simon  
7King, Craig  
8Marshall, Paul  > 81
9Walshaw, James  
10Potts, Michael  
11Walker, Nicky  
12Schofield, Danny  < 81
14Chilaka, Chib  
15Marshall, Richard  
16Burgin, Tom  
17Turner, Nathan