Blues progressed through to the Final of the Vertu Trophy but as expected it wasn’t a pushover, Bradford came and did what they could to try and disrupt the game. They also had a few solid spells I will admit, but I also feel that Blues half made a rod for their own back at times. Whether that’s to do with a bit of tiredness creeping in or just looking to control the game from the back I can’t say for sure but it definitely felt a bit frustrating at times.
It was a night of issues. Prior to kick off I was sat on the 97 heading into town only to be stuck in traffic from Heartlands onward. It was the better option to jump off the bus and walk but there were a few fans that this definitely wouldn’t have been an option for (On my bus anyway) and I should have realised then it was an omen for the evening. I had to pick my son up from his grandads round the corner from the ground, and I thought we made it with enough time to get in (About 5 minutes before the requested sit down time of 7:35) but the queue’s were massive and it was probably one of the longer games for me to get into this season.
The kick off was delayed as we know, traffic issues to blame, but I do think there are still a few teething issues getting into the ground. I personally think without the need for a turnstile operative, the space used to house these people should be converted into another turnstile. This allows for more people to get into the ground reducing the wait time and when there’s one support member at the gate anyway, they’re generally more than able to get things moving if someone has an issue. You could probably even increase the amount of turnstiles on most stands but the Kop definitely has space to do it which would reduce the wait time to get in. It might even help if during busier periods they open the gate perhaps and have a steward scanning your ticket as you go through.
Anyway, once we got in we managed to make it in time for kick off. The game started quite well and Blues looked comfortable but one thing that irked me a bit was the lack of urgency. I’d spoken to a few people before the game and the consensus was generally the same, most people wanted it wrapped up in the first half to feel comfortable. As the performance became almost lacklustre though Jay Stansfield managed to bang in a fantastic goal just before half time and the crowed reacted to it in fashion.
Second half was almost a repeat of the first until that challenge on Stansfield that saw him stretchered off injured. Having looked back at it with a win firmly in the bag I think it’s realistically a decision that could have gone either way, had we lost I’d be adamant it should have been a penalty but if it was going against us I’d be adamant it was a reasonable challenge. The most concerning bit about it was of course that Stansfield sustained an injury as a result of it.
There was clearly no malicious intent from the Bradford defender, who just landed funnily on Stansfield’s leg. His post match social media post suggested as much anyway, the issue of course is that we as Bluenoses are now all left concerned as to what the nature of Stansfield’s injury actually is. After the game he wasn’t there for the celebrations having been sent directly to hospital and I’ve not yet seen an update on the injury which, if it was nothing serious, you’d half have expected to see.
Foul or no foul the ref had previously stopped play when Blues were attacking for far less serious injuries to Bradford so it was certainly inconsistent officiating to allow Bradford to run down the other end and score. This goal the gave Bradford a boost to try and push on, Blues on the other hand seemed to really be distracted by the injury, whether the players were concerned about Jay or frustrated to be back in a battle it doesn’t matted, what does is that this period allowed Bradford to build up a bit of confidence.
On comes Lyndon Dykes who seems to enjoy scoring in cups and boom, he bags the winner to put Blues through to Wembley. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I do think Dykes turns up when he’s needed. There is a player in there and could Davies mould him into a real performer for Blues?
It felt like the hard way around but we got there in the end. The Tilton goes wild, the fireworks are popping and the double is still on!
BRUM IS BLUE! 
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