The Imps secured their passage into the third round of the Carabao Cup this evening thanks to a devasting first half in which they scored four goals, setting up a mouthwatering tie against Premier League Champions, Liverpool at LNER Stadium in the next round.
Two goals in the opening six minutes set things up, the unfortunate Tyler French put the ball into his own net before Anthony Scully doubled the lead within 60 seconds of the restart. Lewis Montsma netted his second goal in Imps’ colours ahead of James Jones scoring his first for the club in some style. The second half remained goalless right until injury time when Callum Morton slid home his first goal in Imps' colours to round out the scoring for Michael Appleton's men.
The Imps flew into the lead with just five minutes on the clock, although it was in somewhat fortuitous fashion. After Callum Morton was brought down by Paudie O’Connor out wide on the left, Jorge Grant took the free kick from just outside the angle of the penalty area, the inswinging delivery into the box was sliced by French and it flew beyond Richard O’ Donnell and into the net. The second goal came within the blink of an eye after the restart, Harry Anderson racing down the right flank, then looked up before pulling the ball back to Conor McGrandles, his first time shot from the edge of the box went across the face of goal and bounced off the upright, sitting perfectly for Anthony SCULLY to force the ball home at the back post.
Bradford City looked to respond quickly from the double disappointment and looked threatening from set pieces. However, Alex Palmer in The Imps’ goal was a commanding presence, highlighted with a powerful punch clear under considerable pressure. Palmer was soon at it again, stopping a low drive from the edge of the box by Callum Cooke which was heading towards the bottom right corner until the Imps’ ‘keeper’s timely intervention. The home side were trying to keep the pressure on as half time approached but The Imps were composed, calm and well organised quelling the threat of the Bantams.
The show of defensive solidity was the perfect precursor to The Imps netting two more goals ahead of the break. James Jones was brought down on the right and Grant delivered for Lewis MONTSMA to hammer home at the back post. There was no let up from the Imps who were showing no signs of letting their concentration slip.
The Imps were full of confidence in possession and that was epitomised by James JONES who with absolute finesse stroked the ball with the inside of his right boot from the edge of the box beyond the despairing dive of Richard O’Donnell. The Bradford ‘keeper was in the action again just before the break denying The Imps a fifth goal. Morton taking the ball into the opposing half at pace before looking up to find Scully breaking in behind the Bradford defence but O’Donnell stood tall long enough to put off the Irishman and save.
Half Time
Bradford City 0 The Imps 4
The hosts made a double change ahead of the second half in an attempt to swing the momentum in the game and they did have a renewed vigour with no doubt the words of their manager, Stuart McCall ringing in their ears. Bradford were having more in advanced positions and they must have thought they were to get a goal back when Kurtis Guthrie was free at the back post a few yards out and he headed powerfully at goal but they didn’t account for Palmer’s agility and he made a terrific stop on the line.
Bradford were looking to force their way back into the game, but The Imps remained resolute. Without having to push to stretch the advantage it was key that they stayed organised, although the action was largely taking place inside the Imps’ half it didn’t mean that the visitors wouldn’t take the opportunity to get forward and O’Donnell had to race off his line to deny Anderson a chance at his near post.
Michael Appleton introduced first, Remy Howarth and then Tom Hopper for Scully and Anderson respectively as the game became a little stop start with time ticking away from a Bantams perspective. The home side were looking to apply the pressure but there was no change from a resolute and well drilled Imps’ defence. City rounded out the game by netting their fifth and final game in injury time, a wonderful first touch and cross from Grant was inch perfect inside the box for MORTON who slid home confidently under O'Donnell.
Full Time
Bradford City 0 The Imps 5
The Teams
Bradford City
1 Richard O’DONNELL
4 Paudie O’CONNOR
5 Ben RICHARDS-EVERTON
6 Anthony O’CONNOR
7 Harry PRITCHARD
8 Callum COOKE
10 Clayton DONALDSON
15 Tyler FRENCH
18 Elliott WATT
23 Connor WOOD
28 Kurtis GUTHRIE
Substitutes
13 Sam HORNBY
3 Jackson LONGRIDGE
9 Lee NOVAK
11 Zeli ISMAIL
16 Billy CLARKE
21 Reece STAUNTON (46’ for Richards-Everton)
32 Dylan MOTTLEY-HENRY (46’for French)
Booked: Watt 32’, O’Connor 45’
The Imps
1 Alex PALMER
3 Max MELBOURNE
4 Lewis MONTSMA
5 Adam JACKSON
8 James JONES
10 Jorge GRANT
11 Anthony SCULLY
18 Conor McGRANDLES
19 Callum MORTON
22 TJ EYOMA
26 Harry ANDERSON
Substitutes
29 Ethan ROSS
7 Tayo EDUN
9 Tom HOPPER (72’ for Anderson)
17 Remy HOWARTH (67’ for Scully)
23 Liam BRIDCUTT (84’ for Jones)
25 Zack ELBOUZEDI
30 Sean ROUGHAN
GOAL: French (o.g) 5’, Scully 6’, Montsma 30’, Jones 41’, Morton 90'
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Assistants: Jonathan Hunt & Richard Wild
4th Official: Andrew Miller
