City fell to a second defeat in the 2021/22 Papa John’s Trophy, losing 3-0 to Manchester United Under-21s.
Second-half goals from Charlie Savage, Joseph Hugill and Dillon Hoogewerf secured the win for the Red Devils at the Utilita Energy Stadium, and meant the Bantams' Northern Group F campaign is now all but over.
The first real chance of the game fell the Bantams’ way when Kian Scales forced United’s goalkeeper Matej Kovar into a low save at his near post just before the half-hour mark.
The away side had their first opportunity of the game when Zidane Iqbal had space to shoot inside the box which required Sam Hornby to make a smart save.
The Red Devils thought they had taken the lead in the 39th minute when Shola Shoretire headed the ball into the back of the net from close range, but the linesman raised his flag for offside as the game remained goalless heading into the interval.
The Reds took the lead shortly after half-time when Savage’s strike took a wicked deflection to beat City goalkeeper Sam Hornby.
The Bantams almost equalised instantly as after a scramble in the box, but the visitors were able to clear their lines to remain in front.
It was United who got the second goal of the match after Hugill tapped in Hoogewerf’s low cross just before the hour mark.
Charles Vernam’s cross was met by an Andy Cook header but goalkeeper was able to make a save.
Cook then ran through on goal but a challenge from United skipper Teden Mengi denied the striker from getting his shot away.
Hoogewerf made it three for Neil Wood’s side made sure of the victory when Hooggewerf finished calmly one-on-one.
CITY: Sam Hornby; Matthew Foulds, Reece Staunton, Jorge Sikora (Andy Cook 64’), Finn Cousin-Dawson (booked 62’); Gareth Evans (Oscar Threlkeld 46’), Yann Songo’o ©, Levi Sutton; Kian Scales, Alex Gilliead (Charles Vernam 46’), Oliver Crankshaw. SUBS: (not used): Richard O’Donnell, Fiacre Kelleher, Elliot Watt.
UNITED U21s: Matej Kovar; Teden Mengi ©, Shola Shoretire, Joseph Hugill (Noam Emeran 80’), Charlie Wellens; Paul McShane (booked 42’), Bjorn Hardley (Dillon Hoogewerf 46’), Martin, Svidersky, Charlie Savage; Zidane Iqbal (Alejandro Garnacho 85’), Alvaro Fernandes. SUBS: (not used): Dermoty Mee, Marc Juardo, Kobbiz Mainoo, Sam Murray.
GOALS: Charlie Savage (47’), Joseph Hugill (57’), Dillon Hoogewerf (82’)
REFEREE: Anthony Backhouse.
ATTENDANCE: 2,022 (230 visitors).