City’s under-19s returned to the top of the EFL Youth Alliance North East division table on Friday, with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Grimsby Town.
Goals from Ian Kamga, Keke Jeffers and top scorer Isaac Robinson (2) helped the young Bantams return to winning ways at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
City started brightly and had a number of chances to take the lead early on. First, Cole Roberts tried his luck from range though his dipping effort was parried by the goalkeeper.
The ball was recycled by well by the hosts to find Keke Jeffers unmarked in the box. He drove his effort towards the corner but was denied again by the Grimsby stopper.
The deadlock was broken via the penalty spot when Roberts was brought down in the box. Robinson stepped up and converted into the bottom-left corner, sending the 'keeper the wrong way and giving his side the lead.
Ryan Farrell’s side continued their pursuit of more goals and had the chance again to double their lead from the spot.
Roberts was again involved, showed quick feet to get passed his defender, but as he was about to pull the trigger, he was pushed to floor, giving City another opportunity.
Roberts dusted himself down to this time take, but had his attempt saved low to the left.
Just before the break, however, the Bantams found themselves going into the interval level as Grimsby equalised.
A slip in the middle of the park led to a quick break by the Mariners. The Bantams got numbers back to defend, but a deflection into the path of the goal-scorer for the visitors was turned home.
The hosts came back out for the second period looking to re-take the lead and, after Jeffers and Roberts had gone close, a second would soon come.
A short corner routine found Kamga at the back post to turn home and ensure his side was again in front.
City kept the tempo up and looked to add to their lead. A great run in behind from Robinson opened up the defence. He cut inside and curled one towards the far corner only for the attempt to bounce off the post.
Robinson did however grab his second of the afternoon, and 11th of the season, soon after.
The winger received the ball out wide and drove inside, again curling an effort towards the far corner which bounced off the post but this time ended up in the back of the net.
Jeffers, who had been denied a couple of times during the game, finally got his goal moments after to completed the scoring.
Robinson was again at the centre of the attack, charging down the wing and standing a ball up for Jeffers to smash home from close range.
There was still time for the young Bantams to look for a fifth. Raj Pallit picked the ball up from deep and ran all the way to edge of the area before unleashing an effort which smacked off the upright.
Farrell's next travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a friendly fixture next week, in preparation for their FA Youth Cup third-round trip to Chelsea on December 17.