Mark Hughes' Bantams got off to a winning start at the University of Bradford Stadium, with a 2-1 victory over Colchester United.
First goals in claret and amber for Alex Pattison and Clarke Oduor gave City all three points after Joe Taylor had handed the visitors an early lead.
After a bright opening from the Bantams, it was the away side who drew first blood just before the 10th-minute mark.
The U's won the ball back inside City's box and Taylor poked the ball home after pressing high, to give the visitors an early lead.
The hosts looked to respond and came close to an equaliser minutes later through a dazzling Oduor run. City’s No.12 saw his left-footed strike saved by Owen Goodman, before the ball was scrambled clear.
The Bantams continued to attack. Oduor was again at the centre of the play and fed Alex Gilliead through down the left flank. His cross was played into Andy Cook who saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper.
As the first half ticked into its final five minutes, City had their best chance of the half to equalise if not for a fantastic save from Colchester’s No.1.
Cook’s flicked-on header to meet Smallwood's dead-ball delivery was then met by Platt, whose headed effort was stopped by an acrobatic diving save from Goodman.
As the first half entered nine minutes of added time, the Bantams finally drew level through Oduor’s first goal for the Bantams.
Substitute Tyler Smith forced another smart stop from Goodman, but the Kenyan international was on hand to steer a headed rebound into the empty net.
City came flying out of the half-time break, forcing a few corners in their search to go in front. The second fell to Oduor, who let a rasping half-volley rip, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Hughes' men continued to push forward, finding gaps in behind the U’s backline, and Alex Pattison took full advantage of the space to open his City account and put the Bantams ahead for the first time.
The Bantams' No.10 was found by an Oduor through ball, and his right-footed effort was too much for the 'keeper, whistling into the bottom corner inside his near post.
Only minutes later, City almost took a two-goal lead with a counter attack from a Colchester corner. Oduor whipped in a back-post cross from the right wing, only inches away from the boot of Andy Cook.
The Essex side continued to pressure the hosts and if not for a smart save from Harry Lewis at the front post, the visitors would have levelled the score once more in the closing stages. Junior Tchamadeu was played in and saw his right-footed effort saved by City’s No.1, forcing a corner and keeping the home side's lead intact.
Going into the added-time period of the second half, the home side continued to remain a threat on the counter attack, almost adding a third to their tally late on through Tyler Smith.
After some neat hold-up play from Cook, he played a through ball into the path of Smith, whose effort hit the side netting, nearly opening his account for the Bantams.
From the attack, Goodman’s goal-kick signalled the referee’s whistle, giving the Bantams their first three points of the season and a home win at the first time of asking back at the University of Bradford Stadium.
CITY: Harry Lewis, Matty Platt, Richie Smallwood (C) (Kevin McDonald 79’), Jamie Walker (Tyler Smith 20’), Andy Cook, Alex Pattison, Alex Gilliead (Brad Halliday 79’), Clarke Oduor (Emmanuel Osadebe 70’), Sam Stubbs, Ciarán Kelly (Liam Ridehalgh 79’), Daniel Oyegoke.
Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Matt Derbyshire.
GOALS: Oduor (45’), Pattison (58’).
COLCHESTER: Owen Goodman, Ellis Iandolo (Matt Jay 84’), Connor Hall (C), Tom Dallison (Will Greenidge 84’), Mauro Bandeira (John Akinde 65’), Noah Chilvers, Tom Hopper (Jayden Fervrier 65’), Arthur Read, Junior Tchamadeu, Nico Lawrence, Joe Taylor (Bradley Ihiovein 73’).
Subs not used: Sam Hornby, Al-Amin Kazzem.
GOALS: Taylor (9’).
ATTENDANCE: 17,177 (287 Colchester supporters).
