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League Two Playoffs | Playoffs
May 18, 2013 at 1.30pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: League Two playoff final - Bradford City 3-0 Northampton Town - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: League Two playoff final - Bradford City 3-0 Northampton Town - as it happened: ID:84883: from db_amp
Read how Bradford saw off Northampton at Wembley in the League Two playoff final, securing promotion to League One.

Bradford City and Northampton Town faced off for a place in League One this afternoon in League's Two's playoff final.

It was Bradford, making their second appearance at Wembley this season, who blew their opponents away to reach the third tier of English football.

Read how it all unfolded in the capital in our minute-by-minute updates below.

Afternoon all! It's the first of three Football League playoff finals - Bradford vs. Northampton - and it kicks off at Wembley in an hour's time.
The team news should be coming through shortly but, in the meantime, let's look at how these two sides got here today...
RUN-INS: Bradford were the bottom seed going into the playoffs and after a five-goal, first-leg defeat at home to Burton Albion, the Bantams were up against it to reach the final. They upset the odds by going and winning 3-1 and Burton to clinch a 5-4 aggregate triumph.

The Cobblers, meanwhile, faced Cheltenham Town and came through 2-0 on aggregate by winning both ties 1-0. After a fairly comfortable first leg, Aidy Boothroyd's side won a thrilling game at Whaddon Road, first saving a penalty before a superb 30-yard volley won them the match.

We're expecting a healthy crowd for a League Two playoff final this afternoon as both of these clubs have very good followings.
BRADFORD XI: McLaughlin, Darby, McArdle, Davies, Meredith, Thompson, Jones, Doyle, Reid, Hanson, Wells
It's the same lineup that Parkinson went with in the second leg against Burton.
The full Northampton team is still to reach us but we're hearing that the man who has been attracting much of the media spotlight, Adebayo Akinfenwa, in the build-up to this match is on the bench! (I'll tell you why he's been so sought after later)
NORTHAMPTON XI: Nicholls, Tozer, Carlisle, Cameron, Collins, Hackett, Harding, Guttridge, Demontagnac, O'Donovan, Platt
Indeed 'Bayo' is left out by Boothroyd, with Clive Platt returning to the Cobblers' starting lineup. There's one other change as Ishmel Demontagnac returns in place of John Johnson.
Akinfenwa has been getting a lot of the limelight this week because of his mighty frame. The Northampton striker has a huge, muscular body that really sets him apart from almost all other footballers around him. @BBCSport tweeted this recently: "Northampton striker Adebayo Akinfenwa can bench press 396lb - that's the equivalent of lifting a fully grown lion."
SUBS: Here are the two benches this afternoon:

Bradford: Duke, Ravenhill, Atkinson, McHugh, Connell, Hines, Nelson
Northampton: Snedker, Johnson, Widdowson, Langmead, Akinfenwa, Robinson, Hornby

Let's take a closer look at those teams then. Bradford's star man up front is Nahki Wells while strike partner James Hanson loves a big goal. Further back and veteran midfielder and captain Gary Jones knows how to put a good ball in.
For Northampton, they have PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle in the heart of their defence and goal hero from the second leg Luke Guttridge the standout player in midfield.
For those that didn't see Guttridge's game-winner against Cheltenham, watch the clip below. It's well worth it:

As you may know, this is not Bradford's first appearance at Wembley this year. The Bantams miraculously reached the League Cup final where they were trounced 5-0 by Swansea after a surprise run in the competition which saw them beat the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Will that experience of playing at the home of football already this season help Bradford?
One of my closest friends is a lifelong Northampton fan and he's at Wembley today in an area allocated for the loud fans labelled 'the singing area'.
If you missed the team news a little earlier, you can read Liam Apicella's summary of the lineups here.
PREDICTION TIME! With 10 minutes until kickoff, it's time for my pre-match prediction. I think it's going to be a very close game and could see it going to extra time and maybe even penalties. If I had to be more specific I'd edge towards Northampton to win it before the 120-minute mark.
Ahead of the match, Cobblers manager Boothroyd admitted that both sides were "very evenly matched", but reckoned that his side would win.
Meanwhile, Boothroyd's opposite number Parkinson said that his side were looking really "sharp".
"Be all you can be, live it, enjoy it, but win it," that's the message Boothroyd has just told Sky Sports News.
Out come the two sides from the tunnel to a huge applause from both ends of Wembley. Both sides have a claret colour in their kit and it's Northampton who have won the right to play in their home colours. Bradford are in a changed strip of gold-and-black tops and black shorts.
The national anthem is over and done with and we're almost ready to go. It's a great atmosphere inside Wembley for a League Two playoff final. Surely one of the biggest attendances for a match at this level.
KICKOFF! The Cobblers get us underway.
It's been a fiery start to the game and Bradford now have a free kick about 25 yards out, just right of centre. First real chance and skipper Jones wants it.
It's Wells who steps up to take but that never had a chance of dipping under Nicholls's crossbar.
A great flick-on by Hanson forces Cameron to concede a corner under pressure from Wells. Bradford have started a bit better.
The Bantams work a short corner and Jones has space to deliver a cross but Wells can't get up high enough and harmlessly heads it high over the bar.
BLOOD! Northampton right-back Ben Tozer showcases his mighy long throw and launches it to the back post where Harding tries to meet it but is clattered, resulting in a lot of blood gushing out of his head. Will he have to have stitches?
The left-footed midfielder is bandaged up but he'll have to change his shorts as they're covered in red splotches.
Bradford have a free kick that Reid floats to the back post. Northampton can't quite clear and there's a shooting opportunity for Doyle but it's blocked by Carlisle.
Hanson is winning every single long ball that is hoisted up to him at the moment. Cameron can't beat him in the air and with the pace of Wells following in behind it's a worry for Northampton.
Wolf whistles from the Bradford fans as Collins aimlessly smacks the ball out of play. The Cobblers have only had 30% of the ball in the opening 10 minutes and need to calm down a little.
GOAL! Bradford 1-0 Northampton (Hanson)
First blood to the Bantams and it has been coming. A lovely cross from the left from Meredith goes all the way through to Thompson and he lobs it back in for Hanson at the back post. The big striker is unchallenged and although a little on the back foot, he manages to head it back across goal and over Nicholls into the net.
The Cobblers try to respond as Demontagnac beats his man with a slow stepover before fizzing over a low cross that Platt can't quite reach at the near post.
GOAL! Bradford 2-0 Northampton (McArdle)
Dear oh dear, what a horrible start for Northampton but it's dreamland for the Bantams as they double their lead with a similar goal to the first. This time it's Reid's cross that is overhit and then put back in the middle where McArdle isn't picked up and powerfully beats the left hand of Nicholls at his near post with a low header.
YELLOW! Northampton striker Platt has been booked for a hefty aerial challenge. His manager Boothroyd is looking peeved on the sidelines. Can he orchestrate a comeback?
It could be three as Bradford again threaten. Reid's cross doesn't meet a gold shirt before Wells's shot is has all the life taken out of it by a block.
More blood coming from a Northampton face as striker O'Donovan appears to suffer a nosebleed.
Tozer pumps the ball into Platt in the area but he can't direct his header goalwards and McLaughlin sees it wide.
GOAL! Bradford 3-0 Northampton (Wells)
Surely game, set and match? Again it's static defending from Northampton as Thompson wins a header at the back post and Wells is the only person on the ball, coming in at the back post to volley home with his instep.
YELLOW! The annoyance is clear to see as Northampton striker O'Donovan takes out Reid, earning himself a yellow card.
SAVE! Ever so close to four as a long throw is allowed to bounce in the area and Reid's header is fingertipped over the crossbar by Nicholls. Northampton are supposed to be a solid defensive unit. Really?
CHANCE! The pace of Wells seems too much for Northampton's centre-backs and he's just had a chance to make it four, streaking clear of the claret backline but messing up the finish under pressure from Carlisle.
You really feel that Northampton have to find a goal before half time if they are to have any hope of getting back in this. Not looking likely at all right now.
Here's a chance as Platt wins a free kick left of the area.
Hackett delivers but that's well defended as Cameron was ready to head home.
Northampton are having a little more of the ball now as Harding fizzes a deep cross towards O'Donovan but he can't quite get enough muscle power on his header to nod it back across goal and McLaughlin plucks it out of the air.
Bradford number 11 Thompson has plonked himself on the turf and looks like he might not be able to continue because of injury. That would be a loss as he has set up two of the goals.
The winger is back on his feet though and looks like he'll make it to half time at least.
Tozer's deflected cross loops high in the air but McLaughlin just about punches it clear under pressure from Platt. The camera focuses on Akinfenwa looking glum on the bench. Will Boothroyd think about bringing the big man on after the break?
We're into four minutes of added time at he end of the first half. Can the Cobblers nick something to improve their mood in the dressing room?
Guttridge is teed up for a strike on the edge of the area but his shot is bravely blocked by a gold shirt.
But Bradford continue to look dangerous as Wells gets the ball with plenty of space on the edge of the box. He feints one shot before driving into the area and seeing his next effort blocked by Carlisle.
Hanson carelessly bundles over Tozer and Northampton will have one last chance before half time to get it in the mixer.
HALF-TIME: Bradford 3-0 Northampton
Tozer's free kick is met by Carlisle but his header slides wide of the post and that's the first half over and done with.
And what a half it's been for Bradford. I said beforehand that their Wembley experience this year might help them and they've simply blown Northampton away with three goals inside the opening half an hour.
Northampton's defence has looked awfully shaky. They can't deal with the aerial presence of Hanson while Wells is running them ragged with his pace. All three goals are a result of shoddy marking in the middle and that's inexcusable.
STATS! Looking at the numbers from the first half and it has been a dominant performance from the Bantams. They've had 73% possession and nine shots on target to Northampton's one.
If you fancy Northampton to win in 90 minutes you can back them at as high as 225/1!
KICKOFF! No changes from either manager as Bradford get the second half underway.
Tozer with another one of those floated crosses that McLaughlin hesitates to come for but Platt can't get enough purchase on it to head towards goal.
Carlisle takes out Wells about 30 yards from goal and Jones's delivery almost finds a Bradford head but is caught by Nicholls who launches a kick upfield and opposite number McLaughlin comes out to head the ball away from O'Donovan.
WHAT A SAVE! Bradford almost have their fourth as Carlisle's swiped clearance spins of Hanson and looks destined for the far corner until Nicholls somehow gets across to it to fingertip it wide.
NORTHAMPTON SUBS: Boothroyd makes a pair of changes as first Widdowson replaces left-back Collins before Akinfenwa makes his entrance for Platt.
The number 10 really is a sight to behold. He's pure muscle and must be so hard to defend against.
Unfortunately for the Cobblers they haven't started the second half on the front foot and, if anything, it's still Bradford who look more likely to get the next goal.
Bayo wins his first header, beating Davies in the air but it doesn't go through to a claret shirt and McLaughlin collects.
Harding's cross is rubbish and Bradford streak away down the right through Thompson. He's faced by Widdowson and the cross-cum-shot is wide of the goal and too far in front of Wells in the middle.
Down the other end and it's Northampton who try to work a quick free kick. Hackett lays it across for Harding whose shot takes a couple of deflections before falling at the feet of Akinfenwa. His shot on the turn is a long way wide.
CHANCE! Bradford come forward down the right and Wells's deep cross falls to Reid who volleys wide from a tight angle.
That's a bit desperate from Demontagnac as he tries an outrageous long-range shot and smacks it well over the bar. Cue jeers from the Bradford end.
YELLOW! Carlisle picks up a booking for a clear bodycheck on Reid down the left. It really hasn't gone to plan for the Northampton skipper and PFA chairman today.
SHOT! Wells trying to score his second as he collects a reverse pass from Meredith but tamely shoots at Nicholls from the edge of the area.
NORTHAMPTON SUB: Boothroyd makes his third and final change as Lewis Hornby comes on for Demontagnac.
Tozer's long throw really is massive but McLaughlin has dealt with them brilliantly all day. The Bradford keeper has had nothing to do but kept his concentration and took catches when he's needed to.
Fifteen minutes left until Bradford are promoted up to League One. It's been a poor showing from Northampton and a true back-to-the-drawing-board afternoon for Boothroyd.
BRADFORD SUB: Parkinson makes his first substitution as Will Atkinson comes on for left midfielder Reid.
Tozer this time keeps his long throw away from McLaughlin but the combination of Carlisle and Akinfenwa can't head on target.
"YORKSHIRE YORKSHIRE!" is the chant from the Bradford fans as they win another free kick to wind down the clock even more.
YELLOW! Doyle becomes the first Bradford name in referee Stroud's notebook as he scythes down Widdowson on the left.
BRADFORD SUB: Scorer of the third goal, Nahki Wells, gets a standing ovation as he is taken off for Alan Connell.
Northampton have a free kick and Akinfenwa is at the back post but his header back across goal has too much on it and goes over Cameron.
CLOSE! Widdowson's cross is deflected up towards the back post where Guttridge is nudged off the ball, with the ball bouncing just wide.
BRADFORD SUB: Parkinson makes his final change as Ricky Ravenhill replaces Doyle.
From another Tozer long throw it's O'Donovan that the ball loops to on the edge of the area but his header sails harmlessly wide.
YELLOW! Hanson is booked for one foul too many but he won't care a jot.
Four minutes are added on and Northampton will just want this to be over so they can jet off on their summer holiday!
Guttridge attempts a spectacular scissor kick to give the 'shoe army' something to cheer about but doesn't pull it off.
One last chance for Harding from a free kick but it's straight at McLaughlin and that will be that.
FULL-TIME: Bradford 3-0 Northampton
The Bantams are promoted to League One thanks to a blistering first-half performance at Wembley.
The Bradford players shake the hands of their opposition before the celebrations start. What a season it's been for the West Yorkshire club.
Bantams skipper Gary Jones has just told Sky Sports News that, apart from the birth of his children, this is the greatest moment of his life.
Click here to read our match report of a much more successful day at Wembley for Bradford than their trip to the capital in February.
The Bradford players are on their way up the famous Wembley steps as Northampton watch on from the turf below.
A huge roar from the Bradford end as Jones and Ravenhill hoist the trophy aloft. Congratulations to them. Fully deserved on the day. Once again the playoffs finish with the team who qualified in last place being promoted.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole this afternoon. Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next Football League playoff final between Brentford and Yeovil for a place in the Championship. We'll see you then.
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