Andy Cook finally makes Carlisle pay in Bradford City win

IT WAS a group hug that went unnoticed in the hubbub going on around them.

As the teams converged at the end of a breathless encounter, two familiar faces sought each other in the centre circle.

Harry Lewis, fresh from an afternoon that he’s not likely to forget in a hurry, was submerged in the arms of Colin Doyle.

They were then joined by Sam Walker, the goalkeepers’ union all sharing a moment amid the general din that followed City’s victory.

In a game that had produced so many twists, varying narratives and unexpected turns, the two keepers had found themselves thrust in the spotlight for entirely different reasons.

Walker was probably the most relieved figure at Valley Parade when the whistle had blown on a home win that his completely out-of-character gaffe had put in jeopardy.

• 'We know what we have in Cooky'

Lewis, who was booed and cheered in equal measure it seemed, had faced a similar emotional rollercoaster.

Doyle, the experienced coach for both the past and present City keeper, offered a welcoming embrace for both. They’d gone through the mill more than anyone.

City and Carlisle, eh. Something always happens in this “fake” non-derby rivalry.

Whatever your viewpoint on its validity as a genuine grudge match, you can guarantee there is plenty to talk about.

You didn’t even need the presence of Jordan Gibson to liven up the latest instalment.

The return of Lewis – and a boisterous 1,700-strong away following – did that. And then, inevitably, there was a certain number nine who didn’t want to be overlooked.

You can rely on two things happening when these clubs face each other – the away team never win, and that’s happened only once in the last 20 meetings, and Andy Cook never scores.

The first part remains intact. Carlisle’s Valley Parade victory behind closed doors in December 2020 still remains the one occasion in the last 39 years that the home side have finished empty-handed.

But scratch the tiresome stat that the Cumbrians are the only one of Cook’s former clubs that he hasn’t scored against in a City shirt.

In his eighth attempt against Carlisle, the player they deemed not good enough when he was released from the youth team finally put the record straight with a match-winning double.

That’s 19 goals now against ex-employers for a striker who still tries to claim, with a deadpan expression, that the opposition is immaterial.

Olly Sanderson cannot believe that a big chance has gone begging (Image: Tom Pearson)

Cook ensured the headline role from a contest that had so many sub-plots.

Compare his fortunes with opposite number Charlie Wyke, back at the club he left six years earlier.

Wyke, a January target for the Bantams, could have rewritten the script with two very good chances.

One came before Cook’s second-minute opener, perhaps too early to have set his sights as he snatched the shot wide.

The second was a gilt-edged opportunity scorned with an almost lazy waft against the post after City were caught flat-footed.

Wyke might have been lining up alongside Jamie Walker if Carlisle had got their way at the start of the summer when they came sniffing for the Scot.

Retained in City’s starting side after his EFL Trophy recall but moved into the “eight” positions, Walker looked very much back to his tigerish, whole-hearted best.

That was summed up when he won a shuddering 50-50 on halfway and still managed to flick the ball on from the floor to set up an attack that so nearly produced a goal for Olly Sanderson.

Another face familiar to both clubs was in the Carlisle dug-out where Jamie Devitt, twice a Bantams loanee as a player, is currently one of their trio of caretaker coaches.

He managed to pick up a yellow card for protesting – one of two names among the eight in referee Paul Howard’s book that didn’t even get on the pitch. It was that sort of day.

Walker had been one of four changes from the Grimsby no-show in City’s previous league outing.

Clarke Oduor also deserved his call-up in the other midfield slot, although he was generally quiet before replacement Bobby Pointon brought more control midway through the second half.

Cheick Diabate saw his first league action for the injured Aden Baldwin on the right of the back three and did everything asked of him. Early impressions are positive on the Exeter loan man.

Jamie Walker produced a whole-hearted display in midfield (Image: Tom Pearson)

The same can be said for Fulham’s Sanderson up front, although he will be kicking himself for not extending his scoring run to three straight games.

He fired over from close range after Cook had miscued an unmarked header from Richie Smallwood’s free-kick. Then came the Walker-inspired effort just before half-time that was smothered by Lewis.

Sanderson, preferred to the out-of-form Calum Kavanagh, again looked tidy in possession and the front pair worked hard together.

City got their press right unlike at Blundell Park where their timing had been well off.

Cook immediately benefitted from that on two minutes when Walker dived in on Jon Mellish’s heavy first touch as Carlisle disastrously tried to play out from the back, whisking the ball away and squaring to set up the finish inside the box.

Before he’d had the chance to make a save, Lewis was picking the ball out of his net.

With only three clean sheets since his City exit in January, he wouldn’t be leaving Valley Parade with another one.

Carlisle looked permanently wobbly at the back – but demonstrated plenty of energy going forward to ensure City were never comfortable.

Smallwood was a strong presence marshalling matters from the middle of the park and generally having a hand in most things his side tried to do.

But there was a rushed edge about the Bantams’ play at times, despite being ahead, causing hurried passes and unforced mistakes.

Sam Walker had already been called into action on a couple of occasions, the pick being a tip-over from the lively Jordan Jones, when he was saved by the woodwork from Wyke.

Ironically, Carlisle’s near-miss occurred in the split-second the Kop had opened up with a taunt of “Lewis, what’s the score?”

Sam Walker breathes a sigh of relief after City's victory (Image: Tom Pearson)

It seemed Lewis would have the last laugh when the visitors did level just before the hour – thanks to a howler from the man who had taken his place in the City goal.

Cameron Harper clipped a half-cleared Carlisle corner into the box where Harrison Neal flicked on much more in hope than anticipation.

The ball spiralled into the air towards the waiting Walker on his line – only to slither through his hands and drop into the net. It was swiftly followed by the distraught number one.

But the roar from the Kop that followed the stunning blow encouraged City to regroup.

Lewis pulled off a double save but could only help Cook’s winner on its way after Tyreik Wright’s cross was met with a decisive header.

Now to end that away hoodoo when they do it all again in January.