Bradford City Under-19s fell to defeat in the Professional Development League Cup, as Burnley triumphed 2-0 in Lancashire.
A goal in each half from the hosts condemned City to defeat, seeing them bow out of the competition.
The home side started the game on the front foot, but due to a combination of a smart Zac Hadi save and an effort angled over the bar, the score remained level in the opening stages.
Eventually, the deadlock was broken by the Clarets on the 17th-minute mark.
Hadi was once again called into action and reacted well by using his legs to deny Ryan Tioffo a goal. Yet, the ball was recycled out wide and crossed in to provide a tap in for Rohan Vaughan. He made no mistake putting Burnley 1-0 up.
Half an hour in, City came forward with intent for an equaliser. A pass into Harry Ibbitson was well cut out by a Burnley defender but dropped in the box for Dylan Wilkinson whose shot stung the gloves of the goalkeeper.
Hadi was having a great game in between City’s sticks, and promptly after the restart, he once again kept the Clarets at bay with a strong palm away from a close-range drive.
Fifty-five minutes in, the Bantams came forward with Ibbitson on the right wing, again in search of an equaliser. His low cross was collected by Gabe Wadsworth who darted into the area, but his right-footed shot was tipped wide by the goalkeeper, keeping Burnley’s advantage intact.
From the resulting corner, after the ball fell kindly to his feet, substitute Bilal Hussain rifled a volley towards goal. However, a claret and blue body was on hand to block the ball on the line - agonisingly close again for City.
Despite controlling the second 45, the Bantams could respond and unfortunately gave away a penalty from a Burnley corner. The spot-kick was coolly dispatched, giving the Clarets a two-goal cushion with 10 minutes left.
The referees full-time whistle signalled City’s exit from the cup, in spite of a solid performance from Ryan Farrell’s side.
Bradford City are back in Youth Alliance League action against Oldham Athletic this Friday (September 8).
CITY: Zac Hadi, Dylan Wilkinson, Leon Brooks (James Edgley 40’), Oliver Thompson (Franklin Dennison 53’), George Goodman (Bilal Hussain 53’), Finley Gledhill (Eni Rotimi 68’), Donald Kamwa, Gabe Wadsworth (C), Harry Ibbitson, Mo Sedibeh, Lewis Boney. Subs not used: George Lord.
