The Bantams rounded off their 2021/22 campaign with a third-straight victory, winning 2-0 at home to Carlisle United in front of a record-breaking crowd.
A total of 18,283 supporters packed into the Utilita Energy Stadium to honour the 56 victims of the Valley Parade Fire Disaster, when goals from Lee Angol and Jamie Walker saw City clinch the points in their annual memorial fixture.
Before the game saw wreaths laid on the field, as both sides paused for a minute's silence introduced by club chaplain Pastor Oliver Evans.
It took Angol less than 15 minutes to celebrate his contract renewal with a goal, tucking home Charles Vernam’s curled cross on the volley, before starting his customary post-goal dance.
Jamie Walker could have added a second, and then a third, just minutes after the opener. His first effort was denied by Mark Howard at point-blank range before he struck a defender on the rebound.
His chance at redemption did not take long, but he could not convert Luke Hendrie’s shallow cross, instead spurning it over the bar.
Chances were far from sparse for the Bantams as both Charles Vernam and Dion Pereira looked to double the advantage, the best of which only managed to force a corner.
The visitors' first notable opportunity only needed a slight touch to end up in the back of the net. Jack Armer’s threaded cross through the six-yard box proved too deceptive for even his own team-mates, as it drifted wide untouched.
Valley Parade rose to its feet in the 56th minute, in honour of the 56 lives lost during the 1985 tragedy.
Jamie Walker got the goal he had been searching for in the 69th minute, tucking his effort beyond Howard from the edge of the box before wheeling off in celebration.
Abo Eisa’s introduction was met with applause, and the winger came close to pinching a goal.
Some silky footwork helped him retain the ball in the box, jinking past blue shirts before finding space to shoot, but his effort was blocked and Mark Hughes’ men had to settle for two.
CITY: Alex Bass; Paudie O’Connor ©, Yann Songo’o, Jamie Walker (Callum Cooke 77’, booked 79’), Alex Gilliead; Matty foulds, Charles Vernam (Abo Eisa 71’), Elliot Watt, Lee Angol (Andy Cook 64’); Luke Hendrie, Dion Pereira. SUBS (not used): Richard O’Donnell, Fiacre Kelleher, Gareth Evans, Levi Sutton.
GOALS: Lee Angol (16’), Jamie Walker (69’).
CARLISLE: Mark Howard; Jack Armer (booked 67’, Mitchell Roberts 70’), Lewis Alessandra, Brennan Dickenson (booked 80’), Jon Mellish; Morgan Feeney ©, Corey Whelan (booked 55’), Jack Ellis, Jordan Gibson; Omari Patrick, Kristian Dennis (Tyrese Omotoye 81’, booked 86’). SUBS (not used): Magnus Norman, Danny Devine, Dynel Simeu, Max Kilby, Ryan Carr.
REFEREE: James Bell.
ATTENDANCE: 18,283 (including 1,668 Carlisle supporters).