Ravenhill injury mars a good night for Bantams (From Wharfedale Observer)

Bradford City new boy Jones steps on the Gaz to help blow away Guiseley in friendly clash

7:40am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Sport By Simon Parker , Bradford City Reporter

Guiseley 0 Bradford City 4

Guiseley could not keep up with the Joneses but an injury to Ricky Ravenhill cast a shadow on City’s night at Nethermoor.

Both Gary and Ritchie Jones were on target before a second-half double from Nahki Wells confirmed an emphatic fourth straight win for Phil Parkinson’s men.

But, more significantly, Ravenhill limped off after a heavy challenge to throw the first spanner in the works for Parkinson as the season moves nearer.

The City boss said: “I think he’s got a problem. We’ll get his knee scanned to assess it.

“It was a tackle in the midfield area but sometimes you get that against a local non-league team.”

While Ravenhill presented City with a potential headache, midfield partner Gary Jones emphasised once again why he looks to be such a crucial piece in the puzzle.

These games may have minimal significance in the big picture but don’t try telling the fiercely-competitive midfield warhorse. He chased, barked and hustled as if this was a promotion-decider not just another warm-up against non-league neighbours.

The City fans who crowded round all four sides of the ground will have been impressed by his hunger and will to win every ball.

The ease with which they won an occasionally feisty encounter will also boost confidence. City have tended to struggle with Guiseley in recent times.

There was no Garry Thompson again, although he is back in light training now. Andrew Davies also missed out.

The only trialist on view was England under-19 defender Jack Mills, formerly at Reading, who came on for the last 20 minutes.

James Hanson , back on his old stomping ground, quickly won a flick on over Danny Ellis for Wells to fire over the bar.

Luke Oliver then climbed unmarked at the far post to meet Kyel Reid’s free-kick but nodded behind.

City continued to hunt a goal and Gary Jones spun to shoot but his effort cannoned wide off Simon Ainge.

Hanson failed to connect with an ambitious overhead attempt but Reid followed up with a thumping first-timer which was blocked by Ellis.

Guiseley had shown little attacking presence and when Rory McArdle was momentarily wrong-footed, Oliver was quickly across to deny Danny Forrest a glimpse of daylight against his former employers.

The home side’s first chance fell to right back Jamie Clarke, who drove wide through a crowd of players. Guiseley were having a go but finding little joy against the impassable Oliver.

Reid switched to the right flank and sent Wells away with a peach of a pass that the Bermudian could not bring down as keeper Steve Drench advanced.

A few tackles were flying in and Nicky Boshell was fortunate to escape with just a ticking off after catching Ravenhill late. The City skipper felt the repercussions later.

The breakthrough arrived after 34 minutes with Wells the provider, cutting back from the byline for Gary Jones to slide home the goal his efforts warranted.

Three minutes later, namesake Ritchie got in on the act with a shot that blooped up over Drench as he cut in from the right.

The scorer made way for Will Atkinson at the break, getting a breather after a full match’s exertions in Bray.

But Gary Jones remained in the thick of it and Hanson headed his well-flighted free-kick straight at Drench.

James Walshaw warmed Matt Duke’s fingers but it was an isolated effort and City made it 3-0 just after the hour with a belting header from Wells, flashing the ball home from Ravenhill’s cross.

Wells could have doubled his tally straight away, only to be thwarted by Drench’s block, and then ballooned over from a Hanson knockdown.

But he got his double with his final touch of the ball – firing home into the bottom corner from 30 yards.

Drench, who had an uncomfortable time throughout, was slow moving across but it was a decent strike for Wells to sign off on before leaving to a big ovation.

CITY: Duke, Darby (Mills 70), McArdle, Oliver, Meredith, R Jones (Atkinson 46), G Jones, Ravenhill (Baker 69), Reid (Bass 79), Hanson (Connell 79), Wells (Hannah 79). Sub (not used): McLaughlin.