Bradford City 4 York City 0: Clean EFL Trophy sweep for Bantams who show ruthless side again

BD8 was packed to the rafters just 10 days earlier for Bradford City’s juicy league meeting with Huddersfield Town.

On this occasion, in front of an understandably sparse crowd, the atmosphere was low octane in comparison.

For those that ventured out, including a decent-sized following of almost 700 supporters from the walled city - with York making their first visit to this part of West Yorkshire since October 2012 - it proved worth their while, even if there was little riding on this final Northern Group C game.

Bradford were through, most likely as group winners unless something silly happened. Which it definitely didn’t.

A first-half opener from returning captain Antoni Sarcevic - whose three goals this term have all been on home soil - put the hosts on their way to a clean sweep of group victories.

A third cup strike of the campaign for Stephen Humphrys rubber-stamped the win before another striker with a penchant for goals in knock-out football this season in Will Swan provided gloss.

Swan’s 70th-minute strike, nine minutes after Humphrys’ goal, took his season’s goal tally to seven, with just one in the league.

Substitute Nick Powell joined in the goalscoring action before the end after his midweek brace in the cup against Marine. He is now one shy of double figures.

It was a rewarding night for Michael Duff’s side, whose next two fixtures arrive against White Rose visitors in the shape of Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley. This was a decent warm-up.

With the pressure maybe off a touch, both sets of players among much-changed line-ups, showed good things for the first hour, more especially those in claret and amber.

York’s wait for a first away win on their league return goes on, as does their run without a victory in Bradford - the Minstermen last won here in March 1980.

For 60 minutes, they gave a good account of themselves before the Bantams showed the ruthless edge which mauled Marine. The scoreline was cruel on them on the night.

City made ten changes from their handsome cup slaying of Marine, with Kieran Morgan being the only player who lined up against the Merseysiders.

It was a notable night for Iraq under-23 goalkeeper Zac Hadi, handed a Bantams debut, while Harry Ibbitson started for the first time at Valley Parade.

Fresh from his one-match suspension, Sarcevic got a run-out for the hosts, inactive after this fixture until November 21.

Unlike the Bantams, York were mindful of forthcoming weekend league business at Rochdale. Scott Lindsey not only changed his entire XI from the weekend cup victory over Northampton Town, but gave them the complete night off with none on the bench either.

The Minstermen gave a debut to youngster Lewis Beadle, with keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy getting the nod in goal at the club where he started out.

Bradford led at the break, but both sides contributed to a very watchable contest, more especially given that it was a ‘dead rubber’.

The Bantams and their visitors both hit the woodwork. York played some neat passing football at times, but it was the hosts who drew first blood with an elegant 32nd-minute opener.

The hosts broke with intent and Swan’s perceptive left-wing cross found Humphreys, who spotted Sarcevic in space and found him with a lovely weighted pass and the home captain finished clinically, low past Sykes-Kenworthy - as befitting a goalscoring midfielder of his ilk. It was a quality move and finish.

Humphreys and Sarcevic had some fun in the final period of the half and had further chances, with York starting to look a bit wary. They had brought offerings to the table before that at the other end.

Hadi was forced into significant work to make a strong double save to deny Jovan Malcolm and Joe Grey before producing a textbook parry - and positioning - to keep out Dipo Akinyemi’s goalbound header.

Earlier, York knocked on wood from close range, courtesy of Ethan Shiver. As did Bradford earlier, with Kieran Morgan displaying sublime technique to warm up a nippy November night. His exquisite shot with the outside of his foot clipped the post.

Half-time came at a more convenient juncture for York than the hosts. But it was Bradford who carried on from where they left off ahead of the interval, with Morgan - having a handy game - finding Swan, whose rasping shot stung the palms of Sykes-Kenworthy.

The York custodian was then called into action again to beat out Humphrys’ angled drive, with Sarcevic’s follow-up header hitting the underside of the bar.

In keeping with an entertaining evening, York should have levelled moments later.

Malcolm broke away and went for glory instead of slotting in Akinyemi. Hadi, in keeping with his good night, made himself big and made the point-blank save.

It’s importance was soon magnified when Humphreys’ header doubled the hosts lead just after the hour mark following Reece Welsh’s right-wing centre.

It was Humphrys' last involvement of the night.

Swan tucked home a third following substitute Powell’s cross after the Minstermen were opened up.

City gave debuts off the bench in the final quarter to two youngsters in Leeroy Gomes, Gabe Holt and Oliver Hewitt.

Powell added an effortless late fourth after clever play by the impressive Morgan. A rewarding night for Bradford.

Bradford City: Hadi; Welch, Matthews, Pratt (Hewitt 85); Ibbitson, Cartwright, Morgan, O'Keeffe (Holt 77); Sarcevic (Lunn 62), Swan (Gomes 77); Humphrys (Powell 62). Substitutes unused: Doyle, Gillesphey.

York City: Sykes-Kenworthy; J Hunt, Beadle, Medley (Belleh 62); King, Maguire, Stiver, Grey (Farrar 62), Newby; Malcolm, Akinyemi. Substitutes unused: White, Swansbury, Ozisik, Penrose, Appleyard.

Referee: J O’Connor (Derbyshire).

Attendance: 2,524 (697 York City fans).