On-loan Whaley tries to lift spirits after costly penalty blunder (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

On-loan Whaley tries to lift spirits after costly penalty blunder

7:40am Monday 23rd November 2009

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On-loan Simon Whaley has told new team-mate Gareth Evans to forget his penalty miss.

The City striker blew a golden opportunity to give his side victory over Accrington Stanley when he hit his spot-kick wide of the post with just two minutes to go.

That meant the Bantams had to settle for their third consecutive league draw and their second 1-1 stalemate on the trot at Valley Parade.

And Whaley, who made his debut as a 63rd minute substitute after agreeing a six-week loan deal from Norwich, had a word of sympathy for Evans.

He said: “I’ve missed a penalty in the past and it’s the worst feeling in the world. You just don’t know where to put your face.

“But it’s gone and if you keep dwelling on it it’s not going to change anything. It’s happened and you’ve got to take it in your stride.”

The miss came in a frantic end to the game which also saw Michael Boulding hit the post, Evans have a goal chalked off for handball and City keeper Simon Eastwood make a crucial save from Accrington striker Robert Grant.

Whaley had earlier come within a fraction of opening his account within minutes of coming on when he flashed a shot just wide from the edge of the box.

On his chance, he said: “The first touch, I just lost my feet, but then I jumped up and the ball was there to hit. A couple of inches to the right and it would have gone in.

“It was an eventful 25 minutes but I’m just disappointed not to come away with the result.

“Victory was there for the taking – they had their chances and we had ours. We created lots but ‘Easty’ the keeper has also made some unbelievable saves.”

City had taken a first-half lead through a Phil Edwards own goal but Bantams old boy Michael Symes grabbed an equaliser which the hardworking visitors will feel they deserved.

Whaley said: If you look at the reactions of their team afterwards, they were celebrating as if they’d won the league.

“They come to the bigger teams like Bradford and they set their stall out and for them to come and get a point is a great result for them.”

Whaley believes City should be competing at a higher level and wants to use his spell to help them join the promotion pack.

Having seen the ground for the first time, he said: “I’ve never been to the stadium before and when I pulled up and saw something like this in League Two – in my eyes, it shouldn’t be happening.

“Everything’s been positive since I got here and I don’t see why we can’t kick on and build from this.”

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