A tight and fiercely contested night in West Yorkshire saw City collect another valuable point, drawing 0-0 with a disciplined Bradford City side at Valley Parade.
It was a match that tested City’s resilience and structure more than our creativity, and while clear chances were rare, the numbers tell the story of another balanced but intelligent performance under Michael Skubala.
It was a display built on compact organisation, control in key areas, and the ability to restrict a side that had gone four home games unbeaten.
Here’s how it looked in numbers, for those who see the function in football over the artistry.
Imps Dictate the Tempo
Lincoln finished the evening with 49.68% possession, completing 315 of 398 passes at a 79.15% accuracy rate. Bradford had near parity in volume, completing 291 of 396 at 73.48%, but the Imps’ greater precision reflected a calmer use of the ball under pressure. That’s a big improvement from Saturday, when our passing had been a bit wayward.
Despite slightly less possession, Lincoln created the better openings, generating an expected goals figure of 0.95 to Bradford’s 0.78. The Imps had 14 shots, four on target, with a 28.6% accuracy rate compared with Bradford’s 18.8% from 16 attempts. That greater efficiency, combined with higher-quality chances, highlighted a team playing with control and patience rather than volume.
It’s worth noting that Joe Wright’s miss for them late on, when he didn’t connect with a shot, is not on the xG numbers, nor is Justin Obikwu’s air shot. Only a chance taken and missed (or scored) counts.
City’s 28 positional attacks yielded nine shots, a 32% success rate. Bradford launched more attacks overall (37), but their shot-to-attack ratio was only marginally better at 35%, with most of their play coming in wider areas. Neither side managed a counterattack all evening, underlining the controlled nature of the game.
Pressing Superiority and Structure
The Imps’ pressing once again stood out in its shape and organisation rather than sheer aggression. Lincoln recovered the ball 127 times, slightly more than Bradford’s 117, but what’s telling is where those regains occurred. City made 60 recoveries in their own third and 55 in midfield, compared with Bradford’s heavier bias towards high pressing (23 recoveries in the final third).
That distribution shows how Skubala’s side absorbed pressure intelligently and transitioned calmly rather than chasing the game. They lost possession 168 times overall, almost identical to Bradford’s 165, but notably, our losses came higher up the pitch, with 77 in attacking zones. It was a reflection of intent: forcing play forward rather than recycling it endlessly.
Crossing output also reflected the contrasting styles. We delivered 14 crosses with seven finding their target, a 50% accuracy rate. Bradford slung in 30, but only nine were accurate. Quality, not quantity, defined the Imps’ attacking approach.
Defensive Discipline and Concentration
At the other end, our structure was once again their strength. Bradford’s 16 shots were mostly low-quality efforts, with just three testing George Wickens. City’s shape limited the Bantams’ central progression and forced them wide, where Sonny Bradley and Tom Hamer were consistently well-positioned to defend crosses.
We contested 286 duels, winning 128 (44.8%), while Bradford’s 286 duels saw them win 143 (50%).
The numbers suggest a marginal edge for the home side in raw challenges, but it came from volume rather than effectiveness. Our defensive line rarely broke shape, and their 127 total recoveries underlined how quickly they reset when play broke down.
In attack, our front players worked hard to disrupt Bradford’s build-up. The visitors’ 87 offensive duels, though yielding only 26% success, were a testament to persistence. Ben House once again typified that effort, pressing defenders and forcing hurried clearances that set the tone for the team’s discipline without the ball.
On defensive duels, this game saw Adam Reach contest the most for us (10), winning 80%. Ben House (nine, 44%) was next, while Tom Hamer (75%), Conor McGrandles (50%) and Sonny Bradley (88%) were all on eight.
Final Reflection
Statistically, this was one of our most balanced away performances of the season. We matched a confident home side in almost every category, edged them for xG, and demonstrated composure in possession despite the Valley Parade crowd’s intensity.
The 0.95 xG compared to 0.78, along with superior passing accuracy and crossing efficiency, paints the picture of a team increasingly comfortable playing to their structure. Bradford were competitive and direct, but we managed them with patience and shape: the hallmarks of a side that trusts its system.
No breakthrough came on the night, but as goalless draws go, this was a performance that spoke volumes about the squad’s maturity. It was calm, cohesive, and full of discipline, proving that sometimes the most impressive results are those that come without fireworks.