Following Saturday’s disappointing opening day home defeat against Port Vale, Blues boss Steve Tilson was forced into making one change as injured Spencer Prior made way for Andy Edwards in the heart of defence.
Indeed, it was at the back where United came unstuck against Vale, gifting the opposition two soft strikes, but it was a whole new story at Valley Parade as, against a side tipped for the League One play-offs, Southend frustrated their hosts all evening with the back-line on top of their game.
It was Colin Todd’s City side, themselves fresh from a 2-0 first day win at Hartlepool United, who made all the early running. In the first minute Marc Bridge-Wilkinson drove a shot wide of Darryl Flahavan’s post whilst the home side soon had further chances courtesy of Steven Schumacher, after good work by Bridge-Wilkinson, and new signing Bobby Petta.
However, Southend were not out of their game and waiting potentially for any opportunities before on 15 minutes the Shrimpers found a touch of fortune which handed them the lead. Mark Bentley and Wayne Gray worked well on the left hand side and with Adam Barrett ready to pounce on a low ball into the box a double deflection eventually found its way into the net off the unfortunate Wetherall.
Bradford were clearly surprised by the goal, it seemed they saw ‘little Southend’ as an easy home victory, but Tilson’s men remained solid in defence as well as neatly playing their way forward at every opportunity.
Dean Windass fired a 21st minute free kick over the top and Andy Cooke should have done a lot better when he fired over the crossbar after a low Petta centre had bounced awkwardly off Edwards.
Then, on the stroke of half-time City were dealt a major blow when referee Trevor Kettle, always a favourite of Blues fans – and you can always tell sarcasm in my reports – flashed a straight red card in the direction of Darren Holloway for a reckless lunge on Mitchell Cole. The incident took place on the halfway line, stirring memories of Mark McNally’s dismissal at the same ground nine years ago, but whether it was or was not worthy of an instant dismissal is irrelevant, it gave Southend the upper hand.
I must say it was disappointing to hear the home fans jeer Cole everytime he touched the ball from then onwards, after all it was not he who committed the foul, nor was it he who showed Holloway the red card.
Despite having a man less, Bradford came at Southend after the break, but United dealt with it calmly. Flahavan did well to hold onto a zipping Petta shot in what was the pick of early second half chances.
The match was sealed on 62 minutes. A great run by Gray ended in a pin-point cross for Guttridge to side foot home his first goal from the Club from six yards.
Bradford, desperately chasing the game became increasingly annoyed with themselves and at one point even refused to hand the ball back to United after Duncan Jupp had tapped it out of play to allow Bentley to receive treatment after another hefty tackle.
Stocky striker Windass, who later clashed with Flahavan both during and after the game, sent a 72nd minute free kick whistling against the top of the bar, but it was the visitors who could have grabbed another goal.
Freddy Eastwood curled a shot wide of Donovan Ricketts’ post after more fine work by Gray and in the final minute Eastwood would have expected to score, firing over the top after Gray had picked him out perfectly at the far post.
BRADFORD CITY:- Donovan Ricketts; Darren Holloway, Andrew Taylor, Tom Kearney (Danny Cadamarteri 65), David Wetherall; Mark Bower, Marc Bridge-Wilinson, Steven Schumacher, Bobby Petta; Andy Cooke (Damion Stewart ht), Dean Windass. Unused subs – Lee Crooks, Ben Muirhead, Russell Howarth,
SOUTHEND UNITED:- Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior; Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley (Lewis Hunt 86), Luke Guttridge (Carl Pettefer 65), Mitchell Cole (Mark Gower 70); Wayne Gray, Freddy Eastwood. Unused subs – James Lawson, Bart Griemink.
MATCH STATS
Shots/headers on target – City 3, United 1
Shots/headers off target – City 8, United 9
Blocked shots – City 1, United 2
Hit woodwork – City 1, United 0
Corners – City 8, United 3
Free-kicks – City 14, United 12
Caught Offside – City 1, United 3
BOOKINGS – Bradford: Kearney (29 – foul), Windass (82 – dissent). Southend: None.
SENT-OFF – Bradford: Holloway (45 – dangerous play). Southend: None.
REFEREE – Trevor Kettle (Maidenhead), 6/10.