Ward's second strike foils Rotherham gambit
Bradford City 4 Rotherham Utd
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Your support makes all the difference.Ashley Ward secured three points for Bradford with the first and last strike in a six-goal encounter against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham at Valley Parade yesterday. Nicky Law's side had appeared to be cruising after taking a 3-0 lead against their previously unbeaten visitors, who had started the game third in the First Division table, only for an inspired triple substitution from the Millers' manager, Ronnie Moore, to haul Rotherham right back into the contest.
But Moore may have been left ruing critical comments made during Bradford's cash crisis. Law said after the match: "We had the incentive. I read in the paper where Ronnie Moore had said Bradford City were a disgrace and we should be kicked out of the League. I certainly mentioned his comments to my players before the game."
Moore acknowledged: "I was disappointed. We made them look like Real Madrid, but then we changed it by bringing on three substitutes and had them on the ropes at 3-2 before they scored their fourth goal and that hurt me."
Ward set Bradford on their way after 24 minutes,heading past Mike Pollitt in the Rotherham goal from six yards, after some good work from Andy Myers on the left.
With the second period just two minutes old, the hosts doubled their lead courtesy of a strike from defender Gus Uhlenbeek. A pass from their loan-signing Michael Proctor found Uhlenbeek, who sent a ferocious six-yard strike past Pollitt. Nine minutes later, Proctor connected with a delivery from Ward on the right by-line.
Moore responded with his triple gambit, bringing Richard Barker, Nicholas Daws and Mark Robins into his attack. On 71 minutes, a ball from Paul Warne found the head of Barker, who scored from all of 18 yards. With eight minutes left, Robins hit home a rebound at close range to make it 3-2. But then Ward struck again four minutes from time.
Bradford City 4
Ward 24, Uhlenbeek 47, Proctor 56, Ward 86
Rotherham Utd 2
Barker 71, Robins 82
Half-time 1-0 Attendance: 12,385
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