Imps Record Fine Win At Valley Parade

Last updated : 19 August 2009 By Gary Hutchinson

A penalty from Rene Howe and a Chris Fagan effort were enough to give The Imps their second win in three league games against Bradford.

The Bantams had the chances early on to break the deadlock, with Rob Burch in fine form again for City. The biggest test came when Shane Clarke handled in the box in the first-half. However Michael Flynn's penalty was saved by the ex Spurs stopper to keep City in the game.

A superb double save just minutes later kept the scores at 0-0, and Stuart McCall perhaps left the bench wondering how his side weren't leading the game.

However The Imps came out fighting and in the 62nd minute they got their break. Pacy wideman Jamie Clarke burst into the box and was felled by Simon Ramsden, with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ramsden was lucky to stay on the field.

There was some dispute between Howe and Fagan as to who should take the penalty, with Jacko wanting Chris Fagan to take it. However Rene Howe grabbed the ball and smashed the penalty into the net to make it 1-0.

Seconds later, Chris Fagan got the goal he wanted and needed. He ran through the home defence virtually unchallenged before slotting home to seal City's win.

There was still time for drama as Shane Clarke cleared off the line in the final seconds to keep the score at 2-0. In truth Bradford were shockingly poor, but a young City side still had to show immense character and courage in such a big stadium with 11,000+ home fans.

Imps manager Peter Jackson was a happy man:

"For 30 minutes there was nothing in the game, we had a bit of luck and kept a clean sheet, though but I don't know how in the first half, and in the second half we could have won it more comfortably in the end.