Hopkin hails Bradford’s defence

Posted Wednesday, October 03, 2018 by PA

Bradford manager David Hopkin hailed his side’s defensive resilience after they battled to a 1-0 victory at AFC Wimbledon.

Jack Payne’s penalty seconds before the interval was the difference between the sides as Hopkin earned his first win as Bantams boss.

The win lifted Bradford to 19th in League One with 10 points, with the Dons one point and two places above them.

Hopkin believes the hard-fought three points was weeks of hard work and application finally bearing fruit as he tasted success for the first time since taking the reins in early September.

“We put in a strong defensive performance today,” he said. “I said to the back four we need to defend crosses and set pieces well and I thought they were magnificent. I’m delighted with the clean sheet.

“The longer it goes 1-0 the more worried you are, and Wimbledon had a few half-chances, but I’m delighted with the players because it’s what they deserve for the performances they’ve put in in the last few weeks.

“I thought the fitness levels were magnificent today. They harried and chased every ball and put pressure on a very good side.”

Payne came off the bench to convert a penalty and hand City a much-needed victory that lifts them out of the relegation places.

The on-loan Huddersfield man, on for the injured Jim O’Brien, confidently dispatched his spot-kick, awarded in first-half added time after George Miller was tripped in the box by Wimbledon captain Deji Oshilaja.

Joe Pigott had earlier missed a glorious opportunity for the hosts when he fired into the side netting with the goal gaping after Bantams keeper Richard O’Donnell had misjudged a bouncing ball.

Wimbledon nearly grabbed an equaliser in the 57th minute, but Jake Jervis’ header was cleared off the line and Bradford held out to end their six-game winless streak.

Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley rued the individual mistakes which cost his side on the day.

However, the Dons boss is confident that his side will move on from the disappointment quickly and turn their attentions to the next match as they look to bounce back from a third defeat in four games.

“I was just about getting ready for my half-time team talk and then an individual error costs us,” said Ardley.

“Then you have to chase the game and that ends up being the telling moment of the game unfortunately. We’ve made one error, missed all our chances and it’s cost us.

“We go to Plymouth (on Saturday) believing we can put in a performance. The tide will turn and hopefully we can start taking our chances when they come and limiting errors and when we do that we’ll win games.”