After a long and uncomfortable bus journey from WHCS, my brain cells were working overtime wondering how our aged legs would ever get us up the steep Hovis advert like hill to the nearest pub. Our upward trudge was momentarily paused when we (eight pals) stood poignantly at the memorial to the 56 fans that died in the Bradford fire.

A kindly steward approached us and thanked us for our reverence. We nodded in appreciation, then mentioned our thirst. In a style characteristic of that chap that blagged his way into the Queen's Bedroom, we manoeuvred our way into Bradford's outstanding '2013 Bar' to the evident surprise of the many Bradford fans present, who after a few moments of stand-off, embraced us like reunited comrades in arms.

We discussed the relative merits of a day trip to London, getting a cup for finishing sixth, whilst winning promotion at Wembley (with loads of extra revenue), but when coming second (as we did in 2005-6) you get automatic promotion and merely a pennant. But what a fantastic room has been provided for the benefit of the 12,000 Bradford season ticket holders (yes 12,000!), dedicated to their 2013 promotion success.

The kindly steward said "he knew we could be trusted" when inviting us up the stairs (but we still chuckled and hummed the Hovis theme as we climbed), notwithstanding that DOM had wandered off on his own to photograph the 'Bradford City' steam engine plate positioned above the Executive Reception, having drooled over 'Railway Modeller' for most of the journey. We nervously halted outside the Chairman's Suite to allow him time to catch up. I suspect that we will be back on the trains for our next CUFC away day.

Mention here should be made of 26 year old (miss) Jamie Newstead that on entering Valley Parade had completed her trek around all 92 football league clubs in memory of her late father, and she featured in the Bradford/U's match day programme, courtesy of 'Uncle Craig', who thought that we had arranged this surprise party in the Bradford Members Bar strictly for her benefit. Nothing could be further from the truth, so thanks to Bradford City for some wonderful concessionary hospitality and a super steak and kidney pie. Serve this with some 'real ale' and this would be pre-match perfection. WHCS to please note. Then what a match!

End to end thrills, as two competent teams with contrasting styles competed. Bradford's (goalie) McLaughlin had only one distribution tactic, hoof it skyward to some of the biggest forwards that we have seen for a while. By contrast, the U's played that elegant passing style out of defence that has come to characterise the Joe Dunne way.

Interestingly, both U's goals came from an alert Sam Walker seeing that we had forwards entirely free down the flanks. Walker by-passed the scheduled route using a long ball/throw, each time eventually (via Eastmond) finding debutant loanee, Jeffrey Monakana, who brilliantly beat two men to fire off a shot to equalise from distance. Surely that's not in the current U's instruction manual (which I reckon says "always walk the ball into the net")?

Walker then again found Monakana, who jinked to find Jabo Ibrehe in space, who went one-on-one with the keeper and put the U's ahead. TWO goals, at last, a mixture of both planned tactics and common sense. Yes, let's grind down the opposition by playing wonderful fluent football out from defence, but if the opportunity does arise, let's accomplish our mission by far swifter build up, and that boy Monakana is fast, and here remind ourselves that winning is about shooting!

Also interestingly, Magnus Okuonghae, so often the butt of my recent criticism, had a brilliant game, whilst Tom Eastman had a (rare) mare. I attribute this to the Bradford 'hoof and bully' tactics that did seem to unnerve Tom a little, but brought the best 'beast' out of Magnus. Debutant loanee Luke Garbutt was the inevitable initial target of this Bradford long ball, and his hesitant start perhaps didn't help as it pulled Tom a little out of position whilst he tried to offer a bit more cover in a wider position. But by half time, the temporary left sided defensive duo did appear to have found an understanding and had far more confidence in each other. As the match progressed, youth international Garbutt then showed his class. Perhaps a bit one (left) footed, but once into the game, he did look as if he had been accustomed to the new U's playing doctrine for some while. A good call Joe, to compensate for Dickson's illness.

One is not surprised that Nahki Wells leads the League One goal poacher's table (8) given two superbly opportunist goals both arising from U's defensive mistakes. Joe Dunne will be analysing how we crafted two fantastic goals ourselves, yet simply gifted two goals away. However, with a patched up defence, requiring a debutant loanee at left back that had only met his team mates on the bus, perhaps some errors were inevitable. I can't see Bradford hanging on to Wells beyond the January transfer window, yet we dealt with him adequately for most of the game.

Sadly, the game ended on a sour note. Daniel Pappoe, on the pitch for merely five minutes to shore up the defence to ensure a well-deserved point, appeared to scythe down former U's favourite Mark Yeates in 'added time', who squirmed as if his leg was broken, until Pappoe was red carded and that cheeky grin (did I see a wink?) reappeared as Yeates then walked normally to the touch line.

I thought at the time that it was a fair tackle, and the TV replay hasn't since changed my mind, albeit that both views are at distance. The trouble for Pappoe was perhaps that the referee had already whistled for a throw-in, but it wouldn't surprise me, given the wall of sound coming from the Bradford Kop, that neither he nor Yeates heard the 'peep'. Frankly, the referee had a fine game, almost anonymous (always a good sign) and if he said "off" on the basis that the whistle had already gone and the tackle was a bit reckless (albeit got the ball), then fair enough, but it wouldn't surprise me if Joe Dunne (being much closer to the incident) appeals the card. Daniel looked distraught as he was boo'ed off by 13,000 angry fans, and perhaps does needs a managerial cuddle, whilst Yeates needs his arse kicked (shame Pappoe missed given a suspension seems inevitable).

In summary, a point for each was a fair result, arising from a truly fantastic day of entertainment, with credit to both sides. I have not seen such an entertaining draw for many a month. The reverse fixture at WHCS on 11th March is one not to be missed.

Photo: Action Images

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