Match Report - Baffins Milton Rover FC 2 Bradford Town FC 3

Baffins Milton Rover FC 2 Bradford Town FC 3

Double penalty agony sees Rovers exit the FA Vase at the second attempt and Bradford gain revenge for last season's exit at the hands of Rovers.

Despite the persistent rain that had fallen the game went ahead, but Rovers were dealt a blow short,y before kick off when George Way pulled up with a groin strain in the warm up and was replaced by Kieran Carter.

Bradford started the better of the two sides and the early warning sides were there for all to see with Jack Witcombe seeing an effort blocked and Gary Higdon heading across goal and wide.

Rovers first attack saw a Rob Taw free kick flapped at by keeper Dan Worton, who was grateful to his defender who blocked and cleared the follow up from Aaron Grimshaw.

The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute when a quick throw was lumped forward by Ross Lye and fired home unchallenged by Higdon.

Rovers were awarded a penalty when Worton who had originally denied Callum Glen, brought down Rudi Blankson, who was first to react and reach the rebound.

The keeper atoned for his error when he guessed correctly and dived to save the resulting spot kick and deny Callum Dart from levelling the tie, not once but twice, also deflecting his rebound behind.

Dart was however instrumental in Rovers equaliser when he received the ball on the right, drove forward and let fly with a low effort that deflected of a defender and past Worton in the 27th minute.

Two minutes later and the visitors were back in front when Tyson Pollards free kick from the angle of the box, was headed home unchallenged at the far post by Lewis Powell.

Dart was involved in the second equaliser on the stroke of half time, when he broke down the left and cross deep for Taw to fire hike at the far post.

H/T 2-2

The second half saw the ball at one end and then the other with neither side able to break the deadlock, however it was the visitors who had the better of the chances to win the game.

Midway through the half and keeper Cameron Scott parried a Matt Morris effort into the air and could only watch as Higdon somehow managed to header the rebound over the top.

Minutes later and the lively Higdon was again involved, this time firing an effort across goal and wide of the far post.

Rovers best effort came from Dart who was close to finishing off a fine move involving Brandon Miller and Blankson, however his driven effort from the edge of the box continued rising narrowly over the bar.

With the game heading towards a stalemate and extra time the visitors were awarded a last minute penalty with Miller guilty of a foul inside the box, which was given by the referees assistant.

Pollard stepped up and sent Scott the wrong way to end Rovers dreams with just seconds of the game remaining.

F/T 2-3

Baffins:- Scott, Williamson, Miller, Glen, Grimshaw, Boam, Carter, Burgess, Blankson, Dart, Taw

Subs:- White, Spranger, Burns, Mason, Kamara, Dean