Bradford City Under-19s rounded off their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Halifax Town on Saturday.
After a first half comfortably managed by the Bantams, three goals after the break were enough to seal a deserved win for Ryan Farrell’s side.
Although there were not too many shots for the Halifax goalkeeper to face in the opening period, Harry Ibbitson came close to giving City the lead before the break.
On the 38th-minute mark, City’s No.9 burst into the box and latched on to a through ball. However, Ibbitson's resulting effort was angled narrowly past the right-hand post, rippling only the side netting.
Promptly after the interval, Isaac Robinson wasted no time in getting City in front. As he cut across the box, the lively winger curled a sublime left-footed effort into the roof of the net.
George Goodman was impressing defensively and almost got himself on the scoresheet shortly after. Fifty-five minutes in, he rose the highest from a corner but flicked his header narrowly wide.
The Bantams were relentless in their pursuit of a second and, only five minutes later, Gabe Wadsworth struck a powerful drive goalwards.
The midfielder, who was recently offered a maiden professional contract to begin from 2024/25, was only denied doubling City’s advantage by a stunning fingertip save from the Shaymen stopper.
From the subsequent corner, Robinson once again looked active as he tried to dance into the area. Yet, a mistimed sliding tackle ended his pursuit, giving the referee no option but to blow for a penalty and give City a chance to add a second.
Robinson stepped up to take the spot-kick and coolly converted into the bottom right corner to put the Bantams into a commanding position, with his second goal of the game.
With 13 minutes remaining, substitute Bilal Hussain stood over a free-kick in a promising area. He hit the ball cheekily under the wall but was denied by strong hands from the goalkeeper.
Hussain was making an impact off the bench. Firstly, after Halifax gave the ball away in their own box, he failed to convert, steering his effort marginally wide.
Following this, however, he turned provider for the young Bantams’ third goal which put the seal on the victory.
After Hussain’s initial shot was blocked, Kieran Mboma was on hand to tap home the rebound, capping off an encouraging display from City.
Farrell’s young Bantams open their 2023/24 EFL Youth Alliance campaign at Bradford (Park Avenue)’s Horsfall Community Stadium this Friday afternoon, hosting Burton Albion.
CITY: Zac Hadi (George Lord 70’), Max Murray, George Goodman, Leon Brookes (Finlay Gledhill 50’), Noah Wadsworth (Zante Rose-Campbell 70’), Sam Bentley, Franklin Dennison, Gabe Wadsworth, Isaac Robinson (Bilal Hussain 70’), Harry Ibbitson (Kieran Mboma 70’), Eni Rotimi (Lewis Boney 45’).
GOALS: Robinson (2), Mboma.
