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Match Previews

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: HARROGATE TOWN v CITY

4 February 2022

Match Previews

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: HARROGATE TOWN v CITY

4 February 2022

The Bantams are making the short trip across Yorkshire to Harrogate to face Town in Sky Bet League Two for the first time in front of supporters.

It is set for an early kick-off, with action getting underway at 1.00pm in the local derby.

Due to postponements, this will be the first of two fixtures between the sides in February and those lucky enough to secure one of 550 tickets for the match will visit Wetherby Road for the first time, following City in a competitive setting.

The clash will be a timely milestone for the club. Rebecca Welch will be in charge of the contest, becoming the first woman to referee a Bantams game. 

We have created a Big Match Preview to give you all the key details you need to know, heading into the encounter. 

TEAM NEWS

City: Nathan Delfouneso and Luke Hendrie are available for their respective debut and second debut in City colours, having watched from the stands against Leyton Orient on Tuesday, the day after deadline day. 

Charles Vernam and Dion Pereira are both out unavailable, the latter due to a calf injury and the former has no timescale on the injury he suffered against Crawley Town. Jamie Walker is fit however, after limping off against Orient with a groin issue.

Abo Eisa and Lee Angol remain long-term hamstring absentees, with the latter not requiring surgery. 

Town: Ryan Fallowfield and Simon Power have been ruled out of the clash due to their respective injuries.

Town's defensive pairing of former Bantam Rory McArdle and Lewis Richards are doubts, having been forced off during the week.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID

Derek Adams: “We are looking forward to it, but we have to understand the environment of the game.

“We have a full capacity away crowd with us and they have a good following too. The atmosphere will be good.

“Harrogate have done really well since they have come up and will want to beat us, but we are going there to win the game.”

Simon Weaver: “We are really looking forward to this fixture and have been all season.

“We like the derby games, getting stuck into the heat of battle and they do not come any bigger for us at this level than Bradford City.

“These are good occasions that we have been aspiring to be a part of over the years and now we are at this level, we want to relish every occasion.”

MATCH COVERAGE 

City supporters unable to make it to the EnviroVent Stadium can follow the action with regular updates on the club’s official Twitter page.

You will also be able to catch updates on other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.

Full audio match commentary is available to iFollow Bantams subscribers, while BBC Radio Leeds’ Jamie Raynor and former City star Filipe Morais will provide live commentary on DAB radio across the Bradford district, and via the BBC Sounds app.

IFollow subscribers can also catch all the reaction - with post-match interviews and content.

LAST TIME OUT

City suffered last-minute heartbreak on their last visit to Wetherby Road when Josh McPake struck in the 89th minute.

This season’s top goal-scorer, Andy Cook, levelled out Jack Muldoon’s first-half goal, but it proved worthless when Rangers loanee McPake slotted the ball past Richard O’Donnell.

HARROGATE: Joe Cracknell; Dan Jones (Ryan Fallowfield 56’), Will Smith, Connor Hall, Warren Burrell; George Thomson, Josh Falkingham ©, Lloyd Kerry, Josh McPake; Jack Muldoon, Jon Stead (Mark Beck 74’) ((Williams 90’)). SUBS (not used): James Belshaw, Brendan Kiernan, Ed Francis, Jay Williams.

GOALS: Muldoon (22’), McPake (89’). 

CITY: Richard O’Donnell ©; Connor Wood, Paudie O’Connor, Anthony O’Connor, Finn Cousin-Dawson; Charles Vernam (Ollie Crankshaw 70’), Elliot Watt (Gareth Evans 70’), Levi Sutton, Billy Clarke (Kian Scales 90’); Clayton Donaldson, Andy Cook. SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby, Jordan Stevens, Matty Foulds, Danny Rowe.

GOALS: Cook (72’). 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Rebecca Welch becomes the first woman to referee a City game, making it a historic fixture for the club. 

Welch has taken charge of 12 games this season, including last month’s six-goal thriller between Walsall and Newport.

She will be joined by Anthony Moore and Connor Brown on the flanks, with Ben Toner acting as fourth official.

BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET

City supporters can back their team for victory tomorrow with Sky Bet.

Bantams fans can flutter on Derek Adams’ side to win the tie at 15/8.

Supporters can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.

PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. 

KIT COLOURS

City will wear their white 2021/22 home kit for the fixture, with the hosts in yellow and black.

Bantams: White / Claret / Claret

Town: Yellow and Black / Black / Black


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