The Bantams returned to winning ways in their preparations for the upcoming Sky Bet League Two campaign with a 4-1 pre-season victory away at National League outfit York City.
Kian Scales and Andy Cook's first-half strikes were added to by Lee Angol and Kian Harratt in the second period, as the hosts struggled to combat City’s forceful attacking flair on their first visit to the LNER Stadium.
City started on the front foot with Emmanuel Osadebe sending a snapshot over Ryan Whitley’s goal. However, it did not take long for the visitors to open the scoring.
Lee Angol cut out a loose ball from the hosts before playing a one-two with Cook and feeding Scales. The midfielder tucked a clean side-footed shot into the bottom-left corner of the goal.
The Bantams doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark as Andy Cook reacted quickest to Angol’s knockdown and struck it firmly on the half-volley to put City in full control.
Things could have got better for Mark Hughes' men before the break as Cook turned his marker inside the area, but could not find the target with his effort.
Both sides refreshed their teams at half-time with the Bantams making six substitutions. Many of the summer additions - including Kian Harratt, Romoney Crichlow and Ryan East - featured, as the sun beamed down.
City kept their momentum from the first half as Lee Angol got his name on the scoresheet minutes into the second. The 27-year-old raced in behind and placed a right-footed shot in the corner of the net.
The hosts, with their first effort on target, got onto the scoresheet midway through the second period. Lenell John-Lewis, who came on at half-time for the Minstermen, coolly netted with a right-footed finish to reduce the deficit to two goals.
City responded little over 10 minutes later, though, with Harratt eventually getting on the scoresheet and making it four on the 80th minute.
Oscar Threlkeld set Levi Sutton free on the right hand-side who played a beautifully-timed ball into the striker who, after turning his man, put York further out of sight.
With over 900 travelling supporters watching, Hughes’ City saw out the game comfortably in the Saturday sun.
CITY: Harry Lewis (GK), Brad Halliday (Levi Sutton 45’), Matty Foulds (Yann Songo’o 45’), Reece Staunton, Matty Platt (Romoney Crichlow 45’), Richie Smallwood (Ryan East 45’), Lee Angol (Finn Cousin-Dawson 62’), Kian Scales (Charlie Wood 77’), Andy Cook (Kian Harratt (45’), Jamie Walker (Oscar Threlkeld 62’), Emmanuel Osadebe (Jake Young 45’). SUBS (not used): Heath Richardson (GK).
GOALS: Scales (13’), Cook (24’), Angol (47’), Harratt (80’).
YORK FIRST HALF: Ryan Whitley (GK), Ryan Fallowfield, Alex Whittle, Maxim Kougan, Sam Sanders, AJ Greaves, Scott Burgess, Mitch Hancox, Mal Kouhyar, Scott Boden, Manny Duke.
YORK SECOND HALF: Ethan Ross (GK), Trialist A, Maxim Kougan, Adam Crookes, Alex Whittle, Gus Mafuta, Paddy McLaughlin, Olly Dyson, Alex Hurst, Lenell John-Lewis, Mike James.
GOALS: John-Lewis (63’).
ATTENDANCE: 2,411 (including 938 City supporters).