MATCH REPORT Swindon Town (1) v (1) Bradford City

SWINDON TOWN saw their winning home streak come to an end as late drama at the County Ground saw Shay McCartan’s curling free-kick split the points after a thrilling encounter. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report following the conclusion of the game.

Jerry Yates’ 9th minute penalty goal was cancelled out by a last minute Bradford free-kick as the two playoff competitors ran out a 1-1 draw in front of a packed home crowd. 

Swindon Town came into today’s match six points and four places better of than their opponents, with Bradford lying in fourth position on 43 points. 

A lively start to proceedings at the County Ground saw Richie Wellens’ Swindon side establish themselves as the dominant force within the opening few minutes, as Kaiyne Woolery’s shot from the outside of the box went narrowly wide of the Bradford goal. 

Forced to play without the nations top league scorer Eoin Doyle, Swindon opted for an attacking threat full of pace as Lloyd Isgrove and Kaiyne Woolery occupied either wings with Diallang Jaiyesimi and Jerry Yates playing through the middle. 

Picking up the ball on the right, Isgrove - making his first home start since coming back from injury - ran at full-back Connor Wood before putting in a looping cross that clipped the arm of the back-tracking defender resulting in referee Darren Drysdale pointing to the spot. 

Boasting the leagues second best goal record on ten goals coming into the game, Yates stepped up to the spot and smashed the ball into the roof of the net past the helpless O’Donnell to give Swindon the lead. 

A goal down inside the opening ten minutes ought to have brought the attacking best out of Bradford as they attempted to get back in the game. 

But despite having a couple of half-chances with Chris Taylor going closest to scoring after Anthony Grant gave the ball away sloppily deep inside his own half, it was the home side who looked the most threatening. 

Jaiyesimi had a chance to double Swindon’s lead with his header from close-range in the 25th minute stung the palms of O’Donnell but the Robins couldn’t find a breakthrough past the staunch Bradford defence. 

A cagey affair saw both sets of attackers begin to impose themselves on proceedings as the clock ticked on in the first-half, but neither could find the final ball needed to create clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. 

Bradford’s front three of Taylor, Cooke, and Vaughan linked up well when in possession as some fluid moves saw them find space around the edge of the Swindon box, but a lack of quality when it mattered most caused them to spurn chances. 

Similarly, Swindon’s attacking trio created problems for the Bradford centre-halves, but poor decision making ended most promising attacks. 

The final moments of the first-first-half went past in relatively uneventful fashion, with Danny Rose’s yellow card the most significant piece of action as Swindon left the pitch deservedly leading at the interval.

Action within the opening moments of the second-half saw Kaiyne Woolery put through on goal in the 50th minute with a perfectly-timed last-ditch tackle from Ben Richards-Everton the deciding factor in stopping the winger getting his shot off. 

Having not lost in their last eight fixtures, Bradford threw caution to the wind attacking with purpose as manager Gary Bower opted to introduce the pace of Aramide Oteh into the match with Jake Reeves making way. 

But despite the attacking intent of the visiting side, Swindon continued to cause problems with Danny Rose and Jordan Lyden’s dominance in midfield restricting Bradford of time on the ball with the two players influential in getting Swindon on the counter-attack. 

Matt Palmer was presented with a golden opportunity in the 71st minute but could only put his rushed shot over the bar of Benda as the home fans breathed a sigh of relief. 

Unexpected action at the other end saw those in attendance almost witness the most comical of own goals after Bradford keeper Richard O’Donnell was left scrambling to stop a backless going into his own net. 

The travelling side refused to rest on their laurels as they pushed for a late equaliser with a brilliant sliding tackle from Paul Caddis denying Adam Henley getting one-on-one with Swindon shot-stopper Steven Benda. 

Swindon had looked resolute all game but a period of erratic play allowed Bradford to create chances with a 89th minute free-kick from substitute Shay McCartan curling into the top corner to equalise. 

Swindon had failed to convert their chances and a moment of pure quality had seen their opponents get back into the game having looked unimpressive for large parts of the afternoon. 

Jordan Lyden was sent for an early was after picking up a red card for a challenge on Henley in added time but neither team could force a winning goal as the match ended 1-1.