The Bantams got their 2022/23 pre-season campaign underway by retaining the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy - with a 2-0 victory at Bradford (Park Avenue).
New signings Harry Chapman and Kian Harratt bagged their first goals in claret and amber as the Bantams coasted to victory at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
Mark Hughes’ new-look side, which started with four summer signings, began strongest with Andy Cook looping a header over the bar after connecting with a Matty Foulds cross on the left-hand side, inside the first ten minutes.
The Bantams gradually built their dominance with Lee Angol cutting onto his left foot after a through ball from new arrival Chapman, but only managed to find the arms of BPA stopper and City academy product George Sykes-Kenworthy.
Just after the 30-minute mark, City made their strength and quality count as Harry Chapman struck a fine right-footed shot from 25 yards out which nestled into the top corner to ensure Hughes’ side went into the break 1-0 up.
The visitors put out a fresh XI including three more new faces at the break, which went from strength to strength in the second half.
A low, driven cross from academy graduate Reece Staunton on the left hand-side was bundled in by recent loan capture Kian Harratt to double City’s lead just after the hour mark.
The hosts, who failed to manage a shot on target, could not prevent the Bantams’ attacking flair and in the 71st minute Jake Young was allowed time to hammer a shot from 25 yards which was stopped by Sykes-Kenworthy.
Hughes’ side tested Avenue throughout and came close to adding a third in the final moments of the game. Abo Eisa found room in the box and rounded Sykes-Kenworthy but his effort was hooked of the line.
City saw out the remainder of the game without much of a threat from the hosts, and lifted the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy.
CITY (first half): Harry Lewis (GK), Oscar Threlkeld, Matty Foulds, Yann Songo’o, Matty Platt, Richie Smallwood (C), Lee Angol, Harry Chapman, Andy Cook, Kian Scales, Alex Gilliead.
CITY (second half): Colin Doyle (GK), Kian Harratt, Ryan East, Jamie Walker, Romoney Crichlow, Emmanuel Osadebe, Fiacre Kelleher, Abo Eisa, Reece Staunton, Jake Young. Subs (not used): Heath Richardson (GK), Bobby Pointon, Charlie Wood.
GOALS: Chapman (34’), Harratt (64’).