Tom Downing

Bradford Town 3, Almondsbury 4

BRADFORD Town boss Paul Ranger said tiredness was to blame after his side lost a 4-3 blockbuster against lowly Almondsbury in the Toolstation League First Division on Monday.

Ranger believes his troops are beginning to suffer the effects of a long season.

He said: "We played OK but the games caught up with us.

"A lot of them play Sundays and a lot of them looked heavy-legged. They deserved their win because they worked harder and looked fresher.

"They are fighting for their lives and they weren't too bad, but we had two kicked off the line and on another day it could have been the other way.

You don't know who you're playing against, I think they had a few Tytherington Rocks players playing for them.

"But Tom Downing played well and scored two goals, he's doing ever so well at the moment.

"It's a bit disappointing but I'm just trying to get 50 points on the board and I think we will do it this season. I've had a chat with the chairman and he's happy with things. I've managed to get so many players in, it's made our reserves a lot stronger and I think we've got a squad together to not be a struggling side.

"I just want to get the games out the way. We've got more points than we did last year and I think it's the most points they have had since they have been going."

Bradford went 1-0 down in the first half before prolific frontman Steve Roddy struck from the edge of the area just before half-time.

The strugglers took the lead again before Downing pounced just short of the hour to level matters.

Bradford were pegged back again when Almondsbury scored a third but midway through the half Downing headed his second to make it 3-3.

But Almondsbury were not to be denied and with full time approaching they netted their fourth to win the game.

Bradford were minutes away from stealing a win at Portishead on Saturday but were made to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Rob Pocock's penalty 10 minutes from time looked to have given Ranger's side the win.

But with four minutes to play Portishead equalised and the game ended honours even.

Ranger said: "They are a very good team but we were unlucky down there."

Bradford have no fixtures this week so their next game is on April 5, when they are away to promotion chasers Wellington.

10:21am Friday 28th March 2008

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