07-10-39: Bradford City (h) 1-3 HT (0-1) Crowd (2,800)

Match Report:

Yorkshire Post: 09-10-1939

TRAINING TELLS ITS TALE

Where Bradford City Leeds United

Although the public which normally supports the Association game is still disippointingly indifferent to the friendly matches between the clubs of the Football League, these games are producing surprising results and are raising interesting aspects of football under war-time conditions. Several of the matches played on Saturday made it clear that an incalculable factor will be the effect of the amount of time which the players are voluntarily prepared to spend on training. In the match between Bradford City and Leeds United at Valley Parade, the speed and keenness of the home team, suggested that the players had been putting in some wholehearted training one or two nights a week. How much fitter they actually were than Leeds United it would be difficult to say; but they went for the ball with marked zest and their tackling had all the purpose of a League match. The Leeds United players, on the other hand, stood back, and in the and were deservedly beaten by three goals to one. Leeds attempted to reproduce the neat short passing style which had provided such a pleasing exhibition at Derby the previous week, and on several occasions their combined movements were highly attractive: but for the most part they were not adept enough to beat the interceptions of their opponents. Goodyear, the City centre half, was frequently too quick on the ball for Hodgson, the Leeds centre forward, while Murphy, the right back, was a severe opponent for Hargreaves. By far the most effective work in the Leeds attack was done by the young inside right McGraw. Besides passing accurately, McGraw showed impressive speed and ball control when going through on his own. His spectacular dribbles brought United a goal, and would have been more successful but for the excellent display of McPhillips, the City keeper. City led at half time by a goal scored by Harvey, the outside right who is now in the Militia, and after McGraw had equalised midway through the second half. City scored two goals in quick succession. The first of these was from a penalty kick by Whittingham, given for hands by Gadsby, who had a distinctly poor match, and Hinsley scored the third. The match was always entertaining and often exciting, and greatly pleased a crowd of 2,800. Leeds United play their first home match since the outbreak of war next Saturday, when Grimsby Town will be the visitors.