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Bradford City 1 Gillingham 0: Head coach Stephen Clemence on League 2 defeat at Valley Parade

18:00, 06 April 2024

updated: 21:10, 06 April 2024

Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence admitted their defeat at Bradford summed up their season.

Three big chances came their way in the first half but none were taken and just before the break Bradford struck what turned out to be the winner.

Gillingham's first-team head coach Stephen Clemence Picture: @Julian_KPI
Gillingham's first-team head coach Stephen Clemence Picture: @Julian_KPI

Report: Bradford 1 Gillingham 0

The Gills are the lowest scorers in the division and failed to add to their slender tally at Bradford

Clemence said: “I felt we played well first half and had three excellent chances but haven’t put the ball in the back of the net again. When you don’t take your chances then you are always giving the opposition a chance.

“We were excellent until the 43rd minute, they have a shot from the edge of the box and it goes in and then in the second half it was difficult.

“The pitch was really difficult to play any football on and there were really windy conditions and so it was a difficult game for the players.”

Clemence was looking for a response from his team after a 5-1 loss at Harrogate on Monday.

“I can’t fault the players’ efforts,” he said. “Last week I wasn’t happy but they have had a go today, created opportunities but it’s been the story of our season where we haven’t been able to score enough goals.”

Gillingham fans at Bradford on Saturday
Gillingham fans at Bradford on Saturday

Once ahead, Bradford did well to deny the Gills many other chances, with one effort wide of the goal from Josh Andrews as good as it got after the change of ends.

Clemence said: “Conditions were difficult and goals do change games but the boys kept at it.

“It was just very difficult to get the ball down and play, it was a seconds-ball game, an attitude game, the attitude was there from the lads, we were just missing in that final bit.

“I felt the opportunities we created were really well-worked.

“We have had a diving header from seven or eight yards out that has hit the keeper, a shot from the middle of the goal which hit someone on the line and we have had a header from Oli (Hawkins). It was a great ball in from Hutton and the keeper made a wonderful save.

“I didn’t think we deserved to lose, we had the best chances and I will watch it back again. I know there have been opportunities missed and I know if you take them you make it difficult for the opponents.

“For 60 minutes at Harrogate we were the better team and we obviously fell apart in the last half hour which was disappointing.

“The game today I felt the boys have rolled their sleeves up and had a go for the whole game but we know what our Achilles heel is don’t we?”

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