Bonus point for Doncaster Rovers, but Bradford City's young braves earn credit

In their respective positions as managers of Doncaster Rovers and the Bantams, the pair are now entrusted with bringing some order and stability on the pitch amid a testing and uncertain financial period off it for these Yorkshire rivals who are some way off the high life.

In the Covid-19 sporting world – certainly lower down the pyramid – purse strings have been tightened. Working with what you have got without complaint and displaying coaching ingenuity and canny man-management all have their place.

McCall’s passion for that task in hand at Bradford, his club, was there for all to see on the touchline at the Keepmoat Stadium in last night’s EFL Trophy northern Group F opener.

In a line-up containing three youngsters in Finn Cousin-Dawson, Connor Shanks and Kian Scales who were making their senior debuts and another in Jorge Sikora who was starting a competitive game for the first time, McCall cajoled his side constantly.

“You’ve got to recover. Give him it. Well done” were among McCall’s words of wisdoms and he kept it pretty clean. The stadium may have been empty, but the City manager’s decibels were cranked up for the night.

It showcased an individual hopelessly in love with football and his club.

Not too far away, Moore - who has added to his options for the league season with the addition of Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules on a season-long loan – played it a touch more cool.

But he, like McCall, was omnipresent on the touchline and he let out a few booming shouts - and he did not look particularly pleased at the interval, it must be said.

He would not have felt much better, even if Rovers - after the game ended 0-0 - claimed the extra point after winning 4-1 on penalties, with Jackson Longridge hitting the bar and debutant keeper Louis Jones saving an effort from Harry Pritchard.

Ben Whiteman, Fejiri Okenbirhie, James Coppinger and Ed Williams all scored for Rovers, with only Kurtis Guthrie netting for City.

Featuring just two changes from the side who pushed Blackburn in the EFL Cup, Rovers line-up had a big advantage in seniority against a City starting XI which was changed completely following their weekend Cup win at Bolton.

A notable starter was captain Whiteman, subject of several bids from Barnsley, but back in the side on a big night for home keeper Jones, with the Thorne lad handed his cherished debut.

A strong early punch away under pressure will have done his nerves not harm at all and while most of the goalmouth action was at the other end, particularly from set-plays, a fledgling Bantams side produced a hearty performance full of energy and enthusiasm.

By and large, keeper Sam Hornby was not overly extended by Rovers, with Tom Anderson and Joe Wright planting headers off target and Jon Taylor and Okenbirhie seeing shots deflected over after cutting inside.