City’s under-19s bounced back from their FA Youth Cup elimination, securing a 1-0 victory over Rotherham United on Tuesday, in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.
Isaac Robinson's second free-kick goal in the space of four days handed the Bantams victory at Bodington Football Hub.
Ryan Farrell’s side were largely unchanged from the weekend's encouraging Youth Cup showing at Chelsea. Ali Dalghous replaced the injured Nathan Tinsdale.
The first period was a cagey affair with both sides battling to take control of the game.
City’s first real chance came from Robinson, who stood over a free-kick on the right-hand side of the area, but his curling effort bent just wide of the bottom-right corner.
Thomas Myles was called into action soon after when a swerving corner dipped towards goal, however Myles was on hand to push away the effort.
The City No.1 would find himself occupied again when Kanye Nesbitt burst through one-on-one, but Rotherham’s No.10 lifted the ball over Myles into the side netting.
Then, towards the end of the half, the Bantams took the lead, thanks to another piece of Robinson magic.
Keke Jeffers earned a free-kick on the edge of the box which Robinson stepped up to take. He curled the set-piece neatly into the corner to make it two in two for the young winger.
After the interval, Farrell’s men consolidated their lead and looked to add more. Robinson was again involved as he latched onto a ball over the top. He directed his effort towards the far corner, but Rotherham 'keeper Nat Gord pushed the shot around the post.
Jeffers was next to come close for the hosts. A quickly-taken throw-in found the No.9 in the area. He looked to finish into the far corner, but Gord was equal to it.
City’s frontman came close again. He showed great feet and skill to keep the ball and drove an effort towards goal, only to be denied again by Gord.
Substitute Harry Ibbitson came a whisker away from doubling the young Bantams' advantage, bombing down the wing and sending the ball towards goal. His effort took a deflection on its way through, and bounced off the post.
Despite not being able to add to their lead, City saw the game out and earned themselves a hard-fought victory. They next take on Harrogate Town at Bradford (Park Avenue)’s Horsfall Community Stadium on Friday, at 1.00pm.
CITY: 1. Thomas Myles, 2. Casey Breaks, 3. Ali Dalghous, 4. Noah Wadsworth (c), 5. Sam Bentley (Wilkinson 64), 6. Ian Kamga, 7. Isaac Robinson (Gledhill 85), 9. Keke Jeffers, 10. Jay Tinsdale (Ibbitson 73), 11. Donald Kamwa, 19. Gabe Wadsworth. Subs (not used): Munro Gellan, James Edgley.
GOALS: Isaac Robinson (38').
ROTHERHAM: 1. Nat Gord, 2. Hamid Sesah, 3. Zack Bond, 5. Archie Day, 6. Will Jenkinson, 7. Jake Champion, 9. Adam Clark, 10. Kanye Nesbitt (Ayres 80), 11. Joel Holvey, 17. Liewi Abraham, 18. Ben Hatton. Subs (not used): Bailey Hamiton, Harry Roddis, Tom Shepard, Rylee Grove.