Billy Clarke helping Bradford City get first out of the blocks

Billy Clarke: Slotting home the opener for Bradford City. Picture: Steve Riding

The Irishman – who is in his third spell at Valley Parade – opened the scoring for the Bantams inside 10 minutes as they drew 2-2 with Exeter City on Saturday.

In three of their last four outings, Bradford have struck first and early, and their season is finally starting to show signs of life.

Those fast starts have resulted in four points from six in League Two and progress in the FA Cup.

In their last four fixtures, the only time they have not scored first is when they were beaten 3-1 by Oldham in the Football League Trophy a week ago.

“When we have lost games previously, we haven’t started well,” reflected Clarke.

“We have tried starting really quick, playing with high energy.

“In three of the last four games, we have scored within the first 10 minutes.

ON THE UP: Bradford City manager Stuart McCall. Picture: Steve Riding.

“That is what we have been trying to be better at and it has worked, and we have tried playing some good football.”

When pondering how the Bantams have become better from the first whistle, Clarke added: “It is about having an understanding with everyone and working on that. Mentally, it is about being on it as soon as the whistle goes.

“We didn’t start well against Harrogate or against Newport County and they both beat us.”

The Bantams have the rare gift of a blank midweek after a hectic start to the season.

It is the first time since the end of September that Bradford have had a seven-day rest between games.

Stuart McCall’s side travel to Salford City on Saturday in what will be the first of 12 games between November 21 and January 2.

Clarke is keen to make the most of the free week, after coming off against Exeter with a tight hamstring.

He added: “Mentally, it means we can drop it down a level. It just means we can get a good week of training in and get in the gym, which we don’t really get to do playing on Saturday and Tuesday.

“This is the last week to have a bit of a cool down, it gets pretty intense after this.

“We will work on stuff on the training pitch and bring it into the game on Saturday.”

Two Bradford games in December have been moved to earlier kick-off times.

The midweek League Two home games – against Cheltenham Town and Port Vale – on December 1 and December 29 respectively – will now start 45 minutes earlier, at 7pm.

Both matches will be streamed live on Bradford’s iFollow page, and available to season ticket holders.

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