Bantams 0 Vale 0

Sorry about the delay, I had every intention of posting my musings on Sunday, but four pints of Guinness and a big meal make Euro sleepy. Any how, I best get a wriggle on, as tomorrow night we take on the Imps of Lincoln, and doing two reports at once just wouldn't do.

On to the game. The weather started out fine, the sun was shining and it was pleasantly warm. It was very much a new look team from last year. I reckon only Boulding and Thorne were in the starting eleven this time last year. Now we have all seen riveting draws in our time, even ones that finish scoreless. Alas, this was not one of them. It's not that both teams weren't trying. They were, but a duller first half I have yet have to have seen. You could have easily mistaken the game for a pre-season friendly. All through out the crowd, yawns were being stifled. The second half was a slight improvement, at least the Bantams were actually attacking and looking to break the deadlock, which is more than can be said for a Vale side only too happy to eke out a draw. Of the new players on show, Hansen, Williams and Ramsden looked decent enough, as did Flynn in the middle, and Evans looked lively when he came off the bench. But we are missing a sense of purpose and urgency, and for most of the game, imagination. We kept the ball well, but making pretty triangles in the middle of the pitch isn't going to reap many goals. And it has to be reported that Port Vale were shite. I fully expect Lincoln to be a much sterner test.

Kev Watch- Considering the lack of pre-season preparation, a decent display.As ever he stuck manfully to the task of watching the game, although he did take time out to participate in my ruse to steal El Grande Queso's wine gums. He also scores well on the picking up and dropping off front, even though he was spectacularly late. Something which meant I only got to quaff a solitary pre match pint. All in all a solid effort, that bodes well for the rest of the season. 8/10

Pie Rating- The first pie I ate was lovely, Steak and Kidney. It was just the right temperature, and it was complemented nicely, as always, by the mighty Chop Sauce. I was going to upgrade the rating, but the second offering was burnt, something you only discovered when you bit into it. Still on the first effort, a way above average 7.5/10