Recent loan signing Haris Vuckic was given his first run-out in City colours following his move from Newcastle United, as City’s reserves kicked off their Central League campaign with a defeat.
Vuckic played the full game at St George’s Park, The FA’s training HQ, although the talented Slovenian was powerless to prevent the Bantams suffering a heavy loss at the hands of Burton Albion.
Following a goalless and fairly even opening period, Burton seemed to raise things up a notch after the restart, registering five unanswered goals.
In front of the watching City boss Stuart McCall, Matthew Kilgallon and Filipe Morais joined Vuckic in playing the full ninety minutes against Burton.
Rouven Sattelmaier and Reece Webb-Foster also started and finished the game, while James King lasted just under an hour on his return from a knee injury.
Vincent Rabiega came on as a second half substitute.
City’s best opening of the first half came when Webb-Foster was fouled just outside the box by Damien McCrory and Morais curled the resulting free-kick just past the post.
At the other end, Burton midfielder Joe Sbarra forced Sattelmaier into a smart reaction save after connecting on the volley from Marcus Harness’ cross.
In the autumn sunshine, City had looked every bit a match for their Burton hosts, but the Brewers took a firm grip of the game after the break,
Only three minutes after the restart, Sbarra had his side in front after his shot from just outside the area squirmed past Sattelmaier by his near post.
Sbarra doubled Burton’s lead with his second of the game just under ten minutes later when he converted from close range following Harness’ low cross into the middle.
Beavon hit the outside the post with a header later in the half, before the Australian turned provided for Marcus Dinanga to run clear on goal and slot past Sattelmaier for Burton’s third.
Burton added further gloss to the scoreline from their point of view in the final stages of the game.
Substitute Dylan Garnett netted a fourth for Burton thanks to a neat finish after being found in the area by Sbarra.
Sbarra then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot five minutes from the end when City sub Omed Gardezi had brought down Harness inside the box.
14. Reece Webb-Foster
11. Ellis Hudson
9. Haris Vuckic
8. Niah Payne
7. Filipe Morais
6. Matthew Kilgallon (c)
5. James King
4. Kwame Boateng
3. Sam Wright
2. Tom Windle
1. Rouven Sattelmaier
CITY XI
17. Omed Gardezi
16. Harry Warren
15. Vincent Rabiega
12. George Sykes-Kenworthy
Substitutes:
Substitutions:
Warren for King (52), Rabiega for Payne (67), Gardezi for Boateng (85)