2013 Football League Two play-off final

English association football match in 2013 November 2017 February 2021 2013 Football League Two play-off final File:Wembley-Stadion 2013.jpg Wembley Stadium 2012–13 Football League Two Bradford City 3 Northampton Town 0 18 May 2013 Wembley Stadium London Keith Stroud (Hampshire) 47,127 2012 2014 The 2013 Football League Two play-off final was an association football match played on 18 May 2013 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Bradford City and Northampton Town. The match determined the fourth and final team to gain promotion from Football League Two, English football's fourth tier, to Football League One. The top three teams of the 2012–13 Football League Two season gained automatic promotion to League One, while the teams placed from fourth to seventh in the table took part in play-off semi-finals; the winners then competed for the final place for the 2013–14 season in League One. Northampton Town finished in sixth place while Bradford City ended the season in seventh position. Burton Albion and Cheltenham Town were the losing semi-finalists, being defeated by Bradford and Northampton respectively. The match was refereed by Keith Stroud in front of a crowd of 47,127. In the 15th minute of play, Bradford took the lead after James Hanson headed in a pass from Garry Thompson after James Meredith's cross. Four minutes later, the lead was doubled when Rory McArdle's strong header from a Nathan Doyle cross went low into Northampton's goal. Nahki Wells then volleyed past Lee Nicholls from close range just under the half-hour mark in the first half to make it 3–0 to Bradford. Northampton failed to make a shot on target and the match ended 3–0 to see Bradford promoted to League One. Bradford ended their following season in 11th place in League One, while Northampton finished in 21st place in League Two in their next season, two places and three points above the relegation zone. Their manager, Aidy Boothroyd, was sacked in December 2013 with the club at the bottom of the division. Route to the final 2012–13 Football League Two main WDL Q right auto Football League Two final table, leading positions GIL ROT PTV BRT CHL NOR BRD 23 14 9 66 39 24 7 15 74 59 21 15 10 87 52 22 10 14 71 65 20 15 11 58 51 21 10 15 64 55 18 15 13 63 52 Gillingham Rotherham United Port Vale Burton Albion Cheltenham Town Northampton Town Bradford City complete https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20122013/regular-season/r17957 Soccerway 31 January 2021 League Two – 2012/2013 – Regular season Perform Group 1 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201101011331/https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20122013/regular-season/r17957/ live Northampton Town finished the regular 2012–13 season in sixth place in Football League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system, one place and four points ahead of Bradford City. Both therefore missed out on the three automatic places for promotion to Football League One and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the fourth promoted team. Northampton Town finished five points behind Port Vale (who were promoted in third place), six behind Rotherham United (who were promoted in second place), and ten behind league winners Gillingham. Bradford City's opponents in their play-off semi-final were Burton Albion with the first match of the two-legged tie taking place at Valley Parade in Bradford on 2 May 2013. Calvin Zola put the visitors ahead midway through the first half with a header, then scored his second in the 29th minute with a curling shot. Damien McCrory was then adjudged to have deflected Garry Thompson's shot with his hand and the referee awarded a penalty to Bradford. Nahki Wells converted the spot kick to make it 2–1 in 38th minute, before Robbie Weir scored from Alex McDonald's pass to make it 3–1 a minute before half-time. With 16 minutes of the game remaining, Thompson scored for Burton making the final score 3–2. Bradford 2–3 Burton 31 January 2021 BBC Sport 2 May 2013 Ian Woodcock https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22325707 15 April 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200415125947/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22325707 live https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-burton-albion-02-may-2013-301337/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 7 March 2021 Bradford City v Burton Albion, 02 May 2013 11 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160411092721/http://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-burton-albion-02-may-2013-301337/ live The second leg of the semi-final was played three days later at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton upon Trent. Wells opened the scoring for the visitors in the 27th minute when he intercepted Marcus Holness' header and beat Burton goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson. James Hanson made it 2–0 in the 50th minute with a shot from the edge of the Bradford penalty area, and Jacques Maghoma added a third seven minutes later from the penalty spot after Thompson fouled Stephen Darby in the Burton box. Wells made it 3–1 to Bradford less than two minutes later after Hanson knocked down a long free kick from his goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin. With no further goals, Bradford won the semi-final 5–4 on aggregate and secured their place in the final. Burton 1–3 Bradford (agg 4–5) 31 January 2021 BBC Sport 5 May 2013 Ian Woodcock https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22328159 12 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003308/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22328159 live https://www.11v11.com/matches/burton-albion-v-bradford-city-05-may-2013-301366/ 11v11 7 March 2021 Burton Albion v Bradford City, 05 May 2013 AFS Enterprises 12 May 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130512195959/http://www.11v11.com/matches/burton-albion-v-bradford-city-05-may-2013-301366/ live Northampton Town faced Cheltenham Town in the other play-off semi-final with the first leg being played at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton on 2 May 2013. Roy O'Donovan scored in the 27th minute to put Northampton into the lead from a Chris Hackett cross; almost immediately, Paul Benson missed a chance to equalise after shooting wide of the post. Both sides had chances to add to the scoreline but the match finished 1–0. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22325735 Northampton 1–0 Cheltenham BBC Sport 31 January 2021 2 May 2013 Chris Osborne 14 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200714201912/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22325735 live The second leg took place three days later at Whaddon Road in Cheltenham. In the 15th minute, Ben Tozer was deemed to have fouled Russell Penn and the referee awarded a penalty: Marlon Pack took the spot kick but it was saved by Lee Nicholls. Before half-time, Luke Guttridge's volley put Northampton into the lead which they did not relinquish. An aggregate score of 2–0 meant that Northampton progressed to the final. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22328131 5 May 2013 Brendon Mitchell 31 January 2021 Cheltenham 0–1 Northampton (agg 0–2) BBC Sport 14 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200714192149/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22328131 live Match Background right|thumb|upright|alt=Nahki Wells|Nahki Wells (pictured in 2015) scored Bradford's third goal of the final. Bradford had featured in the play-offs on two occasions, losing in the second tier-semi-finals in 1988 and winning the third-tier 1996 Football League Second Division play-off final 2–0 against Notts County.Foster 2015 198, 206 They had played in the fourth tier since relegation from League One in the 2006–07 season. https://www.fchd.info/BRADFORC.HTM Football Club History Database 31 January 2021 Bradford City 9 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200609085643/http://fchd.info/BRADFORC.HTM live Northampton had lost in the 1998 Football League Second Division play-off final having secured promotion the season before from the fourth tier of English football with victory in the 1997 Football League Third Division play-off final.Foster 2015 207, 208 They had played in the fourth tier since relegation from League One in the 2008–09 season. https://www.fchd.info/NORTHAMT.HTM Football Club History Database 31 January 2021 Northampton Town 21 December 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201221094950/https://www.fchd.info/NORTHAMT.HTM live The teams had faced each other four times during the season. Bradford had won both league matches 1–0, at Sixfields in October 2012 and at Valley Parade in April 2013. https://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Northampton%20Town/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 31 January 2021 Bradford City football club: record v Northampton Town 22 April 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200422175304/https://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Northampton%20Town/ live They had played one another twice in the first round of the 2012–13 FA Cup. The first encounter, at Sixfields, ended 1–1, forcing a replay which was played ten days later at Valley Parade. That match ended 2–2 in regular time, and 3–3 after extra time; Bradford won 4–2 in the subsequent penalty shootout. https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-bradford-city-03-november-2012-299407/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 31 January 2021 Northampton Town v Bradford City, 03 November 2012 14 December 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181214065403/https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-bradford-city-03-november-2012-299407/ live https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-northampton-town-13-november-2012-299515/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 31 January 2021 Bradford City v Northampton Town, 13 November 2012 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115529/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-northampton-town-13-november-2012-299515/ live The play-off final was Northampton's 64th match of the season. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A330319832/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=15bc98c9 Gale 1 February 2021 Bradford rise again Rob Maul 19 May 2013 The Sunday Times 8 subscription 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115504/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA330319832&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=15bc98c9 live Bradford had already played at Wembley during the season when they faced Swansea City in the League Cup final, losing 5–0. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21489673 BBC Sport 1 February 2021 Bradford 0–5 Swansea 24 February 2013 Phil McNulty Phil McNulty 22 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160122051138/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21489673 live The referee for the match was Keith Stroud from Hampshire. The assistant referees were Steven Copeland and Jake Hillier. Geoff Eltringham was the fourth official. https://www.efl.com/news/2016/august/profiles-efl-select-group-2-referees/ English Football League 1 February 2021 Profiles: EFL Select Group 2 referees 1 August 2016 29 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201029105619/https://www.efl.com/news/2016/august/profiles-efl-select-group-2-referees/ live According to bookmakers, a draw in regular time was the most likely outcome, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A330190980/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=03efcef6 Gale 1 February 2021 Wembley showdown looks too close to call; Bradford v Northampton Dan Childs 18 May 2013 Racing Post 142 subscription 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115506/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA330190980&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=03efcef6 live although Jason Mellor writing in The Times suggested Bradford were marginal favourites having gone unbeaten in the four matches between the sides earlier in the season. Both teams played a 4–4–2 formation. The Northampton supporters were situated in the East End of Wembley while Bradford's fans occupied the West End. https://www.efl.com/news/2013/may/league-2-play-off-final-ticket-information/ English Football League 1 February 2021 7 May 2013 League 2 Play-Off final ticket information 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115506/https://www.efl.com/news/2013/may/league-2-play-off-final-ticket-information/ live The Bradford squad had cost a total of £7,500 with the only transfer fee having been paid for Hanson. The game was broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A330243493/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=f4f18c80 Gale 1 February 2021 Bradford seek successful end to the journey Jason Mellor 18 May 2013 The Times 10 subscription 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115529/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA330243493&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=f4f18c80 live Summary The match kicked off around 1:30p.m. on 18 May 2013 in front of a crowd of 47,127. Wells twice went close for Bradford in the early stages of the game, with a free-kick struck over the bar, and later a header. On 15 minutes, Bradford took the lead. A cross from James Meredith found Thompson at the far post who sent the ball back high for Hanson to score with a header. Four minutes later, Rory McArdle doubled the score with a strong header low into the Northampton goal from a Nathan Doyle cross. Clive Platt was then shown the first yellow card of the game in the 21st minute. On 28 minutes, Wells volleyed past Nicholls from close range to make it 3–0 to Bradford. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A330287000/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=9363e67a Gale 1 February 2021 Bradford City 3 Northampton Town 0: match report Tom Prentki 18 May 2013 The Daily Telegraph subscription 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115511/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA330287000&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=9363e67a live Two minutes later, Roy O'Donovan was booked for a foul on Kyel Reid. https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/league-two/2012-2013/live-bradford-city-northampton-town_mtc515817/live.shtml Eurosport 7 March 2021 Bradford City – Northampton Town live – 18 May 2013 18 May 2013 7 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210307100351/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/league-two/2012-2013/live-bradford-city-northampton-town_mtc515817/live.shtml live Nicholls made a one-handed stop from a Wells shot on 31 minutes. Neither side made any changes to their personnel during half-time. Immediately after the restart, Nicholls saved an attempt from Hanson. In the 53rd minute, Northampton made their first substitution of the match with Joe Widdowson coming on for Collins. Two minutes later, Northampton's Akinfenwa replaced Platt. In the 67th minute, Clarke Carlisle was booked for a foul on Reid. Northampton made their final substitution of the game in the 70th minute with Lewis Hornby replacing Ishmel Demontagnac. In the 78th minute, Bradford's Will Atkinson replaced Reid. With six minutes of the match remaining, Nathan Doyle was booked for a foul on Widdowson. Connell then came on for Wells in the 85th minute before Ricky Ravenhill replaced Doyle two minutes later. Hanson was then shown a yellow card for a foul on Nathan Cameron. O'Donovan's header for Northampton went wide of the Bradford goal. Northampton failed to register a single shot on target and the match ended 3–0 with Bradford securing promotion to League One. Details 18 May 2013 13:30 BST Bradford City 3–0 https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-northampton-town-18-may-2013-301487/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 31 January 2021 Bradford City v Northampton Town, 18 May 2013 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115528/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-northampton-town-18-may-2013-301487/ live Northampton Town Hanson 15McArdle 19Wells 28 Wembley Stadium, London 47,127 Keith Stroud (Hampshire) _brad1213a BFA71A BFA71A BFA71A 000000 000000 Bradford City _whitecollar _top_on_white 800000 800000 800000 FFFFFF 800000 Northampton Town GK 1 Jon McLaughlinRB 2 Stephen DarbyCB 23Rory McArdleCB 5Andrew DaviesLB 3 James MeredithRM 11Garry ThompsonCM 18 Gary JonesCM 24 Nathan Doyle 8587LM 7 Kyel Reid 78CF 9James Hanson 89CF 21 Nahki Wells 85Substitutes:GK 12 Matt DukeDF 16Carl McHughDF 22 Michael NelsonMF 4Ricky Ravenhill 87MF 14Will Atkinson 78FW 17Alan Connell 85FW 20Zavon HinesManager:Phil Parkinson GK 21 Lee NichollsRB 12Ben TozerCB 30 Clarke Carlisle 67CB 15 Nathan CameronLB 6Lee Collins 53RM 11Chris HackettCM 8Ben HardingCM 4Luke GuttridgeLM 7 Ishmel Demontagnac 70CF 28Roy O'Donovan 30CF 9 Clive Platt 21 55Substitutes:GK 13Dean SnedkerDF 2John JohnsonDF 3Joe Widdowson 53DF 5Kelvin LangmeadMF 22Lewis Hornby 70FW 10Adebayo Akinfenwa 55FW 17Jake RobinsonManager:Aidy Boothroyd Referee: Keith Stroud Assistant Referees: Steven Copeland and Jake Hillier Fourth Official: Geoff Eltringham Reserve Assistant Referee: Marc Perry +Statisticshttp://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/286368/report League Two play-off final 18 May 2013 Sky Sports 1 February 2021 13 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131213210611/http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/286368/report live Bradford City Northampton TownTotal shots 12 10Shots on target 8 0Ball possession 54% 46%Corner kicks 8 3Fouls committed 14 16Yellow cards 2 3Red cards 0 0 Post-match Winning manager Phil Parkinson noted: "This determines the future of the club. In the League Cup it was great to reach the final, given the revenue that it brought in, but this is what it's all about. This is our bread and butter – to get this club back to where it belongs." He described the season's achievements as "his best yet as a manager." https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A330414699/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=d1092708 Gale 1 February 2021 Bradford finally take to Wembley 20 May 2013 Liverpool Echo 10 subscription 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115510/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA330414699&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=d1092708 live His counterpart Aidy Boothroyd said: "It's great to have got here but when you get to a final like this, you want to be a winner, nothing else." https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A330453747/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=4912fd1d Gale 1 February 2021 Football: npower League Two play-off final: Bradford rise again as a cut-price success in more ways than one: Northampton T 0 Bradford City 3 Paul Doyle 20 May 2013 The Guardian 7 subscription 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115509/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA330453747&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=4912fd1d live He added: "[Bradford] dealt with the whole occasion and the game, more importantly, better than we did. This is a rubbish day." Bradford ended their following season in 11th place in League One, 15 points outside the play-offs and 12 points above the relegation zone. https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-one/20132014/regular-season/r21395/ Soccerway Perform Group 1 February 2021 League One – 2013/2014 – Regular season 29 December 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201229231711/https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-one/20132014/regular-season/r21395/ live Northampton finished in 21st place in League Two in their next season, two places and three points above the relegation zone. https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20132014/regular-season/r21398/ Soccerway Perform Group 1 February 2021 League Two – 2013/2014 – Regular season 28 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210128120933/https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20132014/regular-season/r21398/ live Boothroyd was sacked in December 2013 with the club at the bottom of the division. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25479770 BBC Sport Aidy Boothroyd: Northampton Town sack manager 21 December 2013 1 February 2021 1 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210201115602/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/25479770 live References Bibliography The Agony & The Ecstasy (A Comprehensive History of the Football League Play-Offs) Richard Foster 978-1-910906-00-2 Ockley Books 2015 Category:EFL League Two play-off finals 3 Play-off Final 2013 Play-off Final 2013 play-off final Football League Two play-off final Football League Two play-off final