SWINDON TOWN 5-4 BRADFORD CITY: Match Report by STFC Correspondent Alfie Howlett

Having slipped to a two-goal deficit in just four minutes, it appeared Town were in for a long day at the office. Then they were thrown a lifeline. 

With 14 minutes on the clock, Bradford were reduced to 10 men, the floodgates were opened. A frantic game of attack vs defence saw Swindon reach half time a goal down, losing 3-2. The second half had everything with Harry Smith levelling, Bradford retaking the lead, Smith levelling again in the final minute, and an injury time own goal to give Swindon a famous win.

It was all set to be an exciting match-up, in front of the Sky cameras, with top of the tree Bradford vying for the title. There was a staggering 19 points between the teams, however Swindon would provide a stern test having not lost at The County Ground in the league since November.  

It was the high-flying Bantams who flew into an early lead with Calum Kavanagh smashing home directly from a Brad Halliday throw in. The sixth minute lead was a tame one to give up. However, Swindon would fail to learn from their early mistake as they made the seismic error of conceding their second inside just 10 minutes. Kavanagh again was the beneficiary of Swindon’s sloppiness, latching on to a loose ball in the box to finish with the aid of the post.  Having gone two games without a goal at SN1, Bradford had two in four minutes.

Despite the early kick off, the game was very much awake. The spring sunshine made for a tinder box atmosphere which soon caught alight with Bradford skipper Richie Smallwood seeing red on 14 minutes. Smallwood’s eager lunge on halfway was deemed too high, with Paul Glatzel left clattered on the turf. Referee Thomas Kirk made no mistake as he gave Smallwood his marching orders.

It was all happening at The County Ground, so it was no surprise when Swindon halved the deficit halfway through a frantic first half. Billy Kirkman attacked the empty space on the left flank, left through the man advantage. There, the left back drove the ball across the face of goal where it took a cruel deflection off Neill Byrne, leaving Walker in goal helpless.

Ian Holloway subbed off Kirkman to go all out attack with Botan Ameen coming on. The youngster immediately lit up a fiery Swindon reply, unleashing a swerving shot from range which was tipped over the bar.

The Yorkshire visitors diffused the situation with their third of the contest. Another Brad Halliday throw in from the right flank dropped through to Kavanagh who made no mistake as he slotted home for his hattrick. Bradford had hit the jackpot. As for Swindon the three goals were simply unacceptable.

In the five minutes of injury time, Will Wright stung the palms of Sam Walker with a vicious right footed strike. Ollie Clarke would later unleash a much tamer effort, which nonetheless found its way through to Kabongo Tshimanga who buried from point blank range for his fourth goal in three matches. It meant that Swindon halved the deficit going into half time in what had been a completely bonkers yet pulsating 45 minutes.

The second half got underway with Ian Holloway throwing all caution to the wind with Kilkenny and Clarke being withdrawn for the more attack minded Butterworth and Westley. It was tough to make sense of, with there being very little balance in the transition. Youngster Botan Ameen had the first effort of the half with a fine shot which required Walker to be at full stretch to push away for a corner.

With an hour on the clock the Bradford backline was broken as Swindon levelled the contest. A brilliant two touch passing move had Botan Ameen in down the left. He clipped the ball back to Smith who was calm and composed to take the ball under control and smash home. It was Smith’s 14th league strike of the season and a crucial leveller for Town.

Bradford nearly hit straight back with Kavanagh denied a fourth of the afternoon, the strikers eyes lit up as he latched on to a bouncing ball 1v1 where he was denied by an imposing Ripley. Swindon continued to manipulate the ball and in particular Botan Ameen who mazed around The County Ground like it was his playground.

Title challengers Bradford would show their credentials as they stole the lead against all odds. Brad Halliday got the final strike in a scrappy counterattack, sparking wild celebrations amongst the 1,102 Bradford fans.

The mark of true challengers is the ability to hold their nerve under extreme pressure. In the dying seconds of the 90, Geroge Cox whipped a delicious delivery into the box which Harry Smith added a postage stamp to. It left the defenders and goalkeeper helpless, and Bradford broken. It set up a grandstand finish, and my word was it that. 

In the 95th minute of the game, Swindon broke Bradford hearts and it was entirely their own doing. Miguel Freckleton’s low cross from deep was horribly defended by a muddled Jack Sheppard who somehow shepherded the ball into his own net. 

The County Ground rocked with celebration, after Town negotiated the remaining seconds it cranked up the remaining decibels.