Valley Parade don turn to war zone as Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers dey fight for the final spot for Wembley. The second leg of the League One play-off semi-final go decide which team go face the winner of the other semi-final. Bolton carry 1-0 lead from the first leg, thanks to a goal from Amario Cozier-Duberry.
The first leg for Bolton was tight. Both sides no get shot on target until the 60th minute. Then Cozier-Duberry strike make the difference. Now Bradford must win at home to stand a chance. If they win by one goal, the match go enter extra time and maybe penalties.
Bradford boss Graham Alexander don promise to attack from the start. He go throw everything forward. But Bolton coach Steven Schumacher, wey sabi Bradford well from his playing days, don prepare for the storm. Schumacher talk say his team go concentrate and no give Bradford space.
For Bradford, star boy Bobby Pointon still dey out with injury. But Tyreik Wright don return from injury and fit start. Nick Powell, Stephen Humphrys and Will Swan dey fight for places. For Bolton, Marcus Forss and Corey Blackett-Taylor still dey out. But Cozier-Duberry, Ruben Rodrigues and Ibrahim Cissoko dey ready to cause trouble.
The atmosphere for Valley Parade go be electric. Over 20,000 fans go dey there to push their team. Bradford don fail to win against Bolton for 11 games now. But history no matter for play-offs. One moment fit change everything.
Schumacher, wey play for Bradford between 2004 and 2007, get respect for the club but say all that go behind him now. He and Alexander sabi each other from Fleetwood days. They go share drink after the game, but for 90 minutes, na war.
Bradford need to score early to unsettle Bolton. If Bolton score first, the tie go nearly finish. But Bradford get strong home record. They don lose only few games for Valley Parade this season. The fans believe say they fit turn the tie around.
Bolton get experience of play-off heartbreak. They lose final to Oxford in 2024. But Schumacher say the team don learn from that. He talk say the goal na to reach Championship, and this step go mean everything.
Referee Thomas Kirk go control the game. He don already make some decisions wey vex Bradford fans for first leg. But that one don pass. Now na only the ball matter.
The match start at 8pm. All eyes go dey on Valley Parade. Who go go Wembley? We go see.
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