City 0 – Southend United 2

I’ve just got back from a week’s holiday in Portugal and I didn’t know the result until today……clearly I didn’t miss anything Awful City slumped to their third league loss of the season against a Southend side celebrating their first away win in 2010. It was a grim night for the Bantams, who looked a shadow of the team that had matched Preston for so long three days earlier. They never recovered after slack marking allowed Barry Corr to convert Anthony Grant’s pass after 16 minutes. Peter Taylor used all three substitutes at half-time in a bid to gee them up after the break and Jake Speight at least offered a bit of bite. But any hopes of a fight back were dashed when they fell further behind nine minutes after the break as Grant drove in from 25 yards. Southend defender Sean Clohessy was sent off near the end but the ten men did not come under any pressure. And once again there were a few boos at the final whistle.

City 1 – Preston North End 2

City were eventually knocked out of the Carling Cup tonight by a spectacular extra-time volley. Preston winger Keith Treacy broke Bantam hearts in the 108th minute of a pulsating second-round tie. But the Championship side had been pushed all the way. Gareth Evans had City’s best chances of the first half. He fired against the post after 20 minutes and was then denied by an instinctive save by Andy Lonergan. But Preston grabbed the lead on the stroke of half-time with Paul Coutts beating Jon McLaughlin from 25 yards. City pushed for an equaliser without really threatening. But their non-stop effort got its reward with eight minutes left, sub Jake Speight nodding home his first goal for the club. David Syers headed against the bar at the start of extra-time before Treacy settled matters with an unstoppable drive.

CITY: McLaughlin, Rehman, Oliver, Williams, O’Brien, Adeyemi, Doherty (Hanson 55), Syers, Evans (Chilaka), Moult, Daley (Speight 70). Subs: Hunt, Duff, Bullock.

Torquay United 2 – City 0

Torquay made it three League Two wins in a row against 10-man City while setting a new club record of 10 successive clean sheets. United have now not conceded in the league for 961 minutes and were ahead within 90 seconds when Danny Stevens ran from the halfway line and picked his spot with a measured drive from 25 yards that left Jon McLaughlin with no chance. The City keeper did better shortly after, though, with Chris Zebroski’s effort being handled on the line by Robbie Threlfall, who was dismissed, leaving McLaughlin to save Nicky Wroe’s penalty. McLaughlin further impressed with a fine fingertip save to tap Lee Mansell’s dipping drive on to the face of the cross-bar. However there was little the City number one could do as he tried to clear from Zebroski again in the 66th minute – with the ball rebounding off United’s live wire striker and over the line. Among City’s non-playing substitutes was a new face. Trialist Chibuzor “Chib” Chilaka, who signed non-contract terms on Thursday. He also played 90 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday in the 5-0 defeat against Rotherham.

CITY: McLaughlin; Oliver, Doherty (O’Brien 46), Hanson, Bullock, Hunt (Syers 77), Evans, Threlfall, Duff, Moult (Rehman 16), Adeyemi. Subs: Saxton, Daley, Chilaka, Williams.

Tom Adeyemi heading for Cambridge?

…….University that is, not United or City! Well done to the lad on getting his A-level results, he achieved A* in Biology and Chemistry and an A in Maths. Apparently he has an unconditional offer from Cambridge University, but I just hope his passing improves on Saturday against Torquay! City will be without the services of Michael Flynn, Simon Ramsden and Jake Speight due to injuries. Worryingly both Flynn (groin) and Ramsden (calf) could be out for a month and Speight isn’t expected to be fit enough after recovering from a knee injury. The city website says Taylor is also hopeful of having a new face in the squad in time for the trip to Plainmoor. As Torquay have gone 9 consecutive games without conceding a goal, maybe we need another striker. watch this space

Alex Rhodes trains with Hereford United

Alex Rhodes who was released by Stuart McCall back in April 2008, is reported to be training with Hereford United. Rhodes is a free agent after being released by Grays Athletic at the end of last season. The left-winger played 30 times for the in his one season at Valley Parade (most as a sub) and scored 3 goals to boot. Good luck Alex.

Taylor explains why Steve William’s was dropped

Peter Taylor today explained why defender Steve Williams wasn’t included in the squad for Stevenage game: “The players had the Wednesday off after Forest but if anybody’s injured they’ve got to inform the physio at the end of the game or – if they’ve woken up in pain – at the latest the following morning. One rule I’ve got is that there’s no way players can get a day off if they then can’t train the next day. He had got Wednesday off quite rightly having done well in the Forest game but then you’ve got to be training again on the Thursday. Then he rang later on that Wednesday to say his hamstring was tight. I don’t like that. It’s unprofessional and that cost him his place.”

Sébastien Carole to replace Neilson?

Peter Taylor has given free agent Sébastien Carole the chance to win a contract with the club. The former Monaco and Leeds winger featured for the reserves on Tuesday (a 5-0 loss against Rotherham United), and although Taylor knows he is lacking in fitness, he is pleased with Carole’s attitude. “He’s a lovely lad and has played at a good level,” Taylor told the Telegraph and Argus. “You look at the clubs he’s been at – Monaco, Leeds, West Ham and Brighton – and I know that Brighton wanted to re-sign him. It’s really down to him to show how good he is. He’s not fit enough at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Zesh Rehman will continue in his role as club captain for the 2010/11 season and will also act as deputy to first-team skipper Simon Ramsden.

Scott Neilson joins Crawley Town

Scott Neilson has today joined Blue Square Bet Premier side Crawley Town for an undisclosed five-figure fee. The 23-year-old was signed by McCall from Cambridge City for an undisclosed fee in August last year and I believe Cambridge will receive 25% of the money we get from Crawley. On signing for Crawley Town, Scott said: “I am delighted to have joined such an ambitious club. I only became aware of Steve Evans interest when Peter Taylor phoned me last night but when I looked at the squad in place I was keen to have talks.” Reds boss Steve Evans said: “I have got young Scott at last. Peter Taylor kept turning me down but he gave way on Sunday and I am delighted Scott is finally here.”

Stephen O’Leary signs for Kettering Town

Blue Square Bet Premier side Kettering Town have signed former Bradford City midfielder Stephen O’Leary on non-contract terms. The 25-year-old featured for the Poppies in pre-season, having been released by City in May after just one season. He had limited first-team action least season, after breaking his toe in training in August.

City 1 – Stevenage FC 0

A first-half penalty from Gareth Evans was enough to give us a win against Stevenage at Valley Parade today. City were awarded the penalty after 31 minutes when Lee Bullock was brought down by Joel Byrom and Evans scored from the spot to settle a scrappy game. The penalty proved to be the Bantams only shot on target as Stevenage enjoyed the bulk of the possession without being able to turn their territorial superiority into goals and the home side were forced to defend desperately at times to keep their lead. The visitors’ best chance came after 58 minutes when lively striker Yemi Odubade intercepted a back-pass from Shane Duff. He looked to be a certain scorer, but keeper Jon McLaughlin raced to the edge of the penalty area to clear the danger. The Stevenage player was injured in the challenge and was substituted five minutes later. So it wasn’t the best game I’ve ever seen but at least we’ve got 3 points on the board

CITY: McLaughlin, O’Brien, Oliver, Daley (Moult 74), Doherty (Syers 66), Evans, Hunt, Duff (Rehman 61), Hanson, Adeyemi, Bullock.