Bantams show wrong attitude as Guiseley provide harsh lesson

THERE was no petulantly launching the ball onto the neighbouring cricket pitch like Derek Adams.

But Graham Alexander made no attempt to hide his annoyance at being brought back to earth with a thud.

The City boss had left the training ground on Friday afternoon extolling the virtues of what he had just seen.

After an 11 v 11 practice match in the day’s second session, Alexander was full of the potential of his squad as he chewed the fat with assistant Chris Lucketti.

Fast forward 24 hours and the scene at Guiseley, the first 45 minutes anyway, made for a much more difficult watch.

READ MORE: First half was a "waste of time" for Alexander

City’s first visit to Nethermoor since 2021 – when Adams had taken exception to the home side’s belligerent approach to Lee Angol and booted the ball over the fence – was an uncomfortable reminder for their manager about how much still needs to be done.

If the players thought the workload would ease off in the coming days after a strenuous fortnight, they can forget that.

It was the attitude of the team that played the first half that got to Alexander and would have concerned the large assembly of City fans.

For many, this was their first glimpse at the squad preparing for season number six in tier number four – and it wasn’t a good one.

From the moment skipper Richie Smallwood gave the ball away, won it back then gave it straight away again, you sensed a lack of cohesion in the play.

Alex Gilliead’s attempts to run at Guiseley from wing-back were thwarted time and again by combative left back Ollie Brown, who clearly wanted it more than those in claret and amber.

Tyler Smith had one downward header well kept out by one-time City keeper Joe Cracknell but Jake Young alongside him barely got a touch.

Richie Smallwood and City made no impact in the first half (Image: Thomas Gadd)

City knocked the ball about without really pushing to hurt their hosts. In contrast, while it didn’t always come off for Guiseley winger John Lufudu, at least he was always trying to go forward.

Bookings for Neill Byrne and Tyreik Wright, on his first public appearance since returning, highlighted the frustration.

Ciaran Kelly would follow in the second half when he had to be careful not to see a rare pre-season red.

Alexander fielded a trialist in the back three for each half.

The first one, identified as former Halifax and Grimsby central defender Niall Maher, had been solid enough until it all went to pot as half-time approached.

His back pass sold Sam Walker woefully short and Jake Wright slid in to convert Guiseley’s gift-wrapped first attempt on goal.

City, going through the motions to that point, then quickly fell two behind.

A couple of attempts to clear their lines were missed and one of Guiseley’s trialists beat Byrne’s lunge with a crisp strike that flew past Walker from the edge of the box.

Half-time saw a sobering team talk in the City dressing room and the planned change of every outfield player.

Like at Chorley, there was also a changed approach and impetus to the play.

Again, Alex Pattison had the bit between his teeth to make up for every missed minute of a wasted first season with the club.

Bobby Pointon provided the forward motion and hunger to drag his team back into the contest that had been so markedly missing before the break.

Andy Cook gave Guiseley’s defenders a physical threat they had not faced. Vadaine Oliver put himself about a lot more than he had done the previous week.

Kevin McDonald’s continued absence from the matchday squad, even though he is training, confirms he is one of those that City are trying to shift.

Andy Cook had two good chances for a City equaliser (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Oliver falls into that category but maybe it is not so cut and dried with him? His willing approach showed his heart is still very much in it.

After Walker denied Wright a second, Oliver engineered City’s goal just before the hour.

His ball to the back post was nodded back by Cook and there was Pattison ready to sweep home for a particularly sweet personal moment.

Cook twice should have levelled as they rallied.

He headed Jamie Walker’s cross straight at Cracknell from close range as the goal gaped.

Then he could not force Pointon’s drilled pass through the keeper as he slid in.

But Guiseley deserved to take the plaudits – and City the stick for the way they had turned up.

CITY (first half): Walker, Trialist, Byrne, Richards, Gilliead, Smallwood, Wright, Sarcevic, Odour, Smith, Young.

Second half: Walker (Doyle 63min), Stubbs, Trialist, Kelly, Thompson, Pattison, Wilson, J Walker, Pointon, Cook, Oliver.