Bradford pay for lack of killer touch (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford pay for lack of killer touch

3:08pm Wednesday 1st October 2008 in Sport By Sports Desk

Bradford Hockey Club went down 5-0 at Hull but the scoreline flattered the hosts.

It was a mixed performance from the visitors, with periods when they looked like they didn’t want to be there and periods when they played particularly good hockey without applying the final pass or finishing touch.

At 2-0 down at half-time, Bradford were not out of the game and, had they turned a good spell of pressure in the second half into goals, it could well have changed the complexion of the game.

However, they didn’t and, instead of going down fighting, they ended up capitulating.

Adam Ashton typified the type of attitude Bradford need and was voted man of the match by a country mile. Martin Wright and Matt and Mike Payne also seemed to run forever.

Bradford’s third team got their league season underway with a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Leeds.

After starting well, they took the lead when Jack Yeadon shot through a crowded ‘D’. Bradford continued to dominate but a fortunate deflection left a Leeds forward with an empty goal to equalise.

Just before half-time skipper Allan Western caught a stick in the face and had to sit out the rest of the game.

Leeds had the better of the second half and took the lead. Only some heroic defending from Dave Neville and the rest of the defence kept Bradford in the game and it paid off when sub Colin Whitehead equalised with a pinpoint shot in off the post.

Bradford’s fourth team – the Badgers – were 8-0 down at half-time at home to York but the hosts’ four senior players only played restricted roles under a Yorkshire Hockey initiative aimed at bringing youngsters on.

York appeared to be sticking to ‘normal’ rules and the hosts did the same after the break and it made a difference.

Good play down the left from Daniel Stubley, Callum Hodson, Nick Hayes and Harry Sherlock brought the ball to Jack Yeadon, who scored with a high shot into the net.

Seconds later, Joel Hinton laid the ball off to Yeadon who scored again. He went on to notch his hat-trick, while at the other end Charlie Western made some outstanding saves in goal.

Colin Whitehead was given a lovely through ball by Yeadon, who rounded the keeper and pushed the ball into the empty net.

Bradford under-16s lost matches against Halifax and York 2-0 at Hull before winning their final game 4-1 versus Driffield.

Hinton and James Smith, with a hat-trick, got the goals for Bradford, while Adam Ashton won the man of the day prize.