Bradford City’s ‘character’ shines through in ‘ugly win’ over Barrow

Callum Cooke, Bradford City's matchwinner (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)

City’s revival under Trueman and fellow interim boss Conor Sellars since they took over following the sacking of Stuart McCall seven weeks ago has seen them take 18 points from eight matches. However, they were pressed all the way by a spirited Barrow team who were only denied by some determined defending in the second half.

The Bantams began well as new signing Danny Rowe gave them a fifth-minute lead with a low left-foot shot into the far corner of the net after receiving a long pass from Finn Cousin-Dawson.

However, after Josh Kay had seen his shot rebound from the post, Barrow deservedly equalised in the 36th minute with a penalty from Scott Quigley after their leading scorer had been fouled by Anthony O’Connor.

Callum Cooke scored the winner four minutes after the interval with a shot from just the inside the penalty area after Gareth Evans laid the ball into his path.

Trueman said: “We showed character and even though we had to win ugly we still showed quality in the final third. It was a well worked second goal and came at the right time for us.”

This result completed a successful week for Bradford with seven points from three matches and Trueman said: “We want to keep the unbeaten run going. It breeds confidence. It has been hard work by everyone involved.”

The Bantams have cancelled the contracts of duo Dylan  Mottley-Henry and Tyler French.

Bradford City: Hornby, Cousin-Dawson, P O’Connor, A O’Connor, Wood, Clarke (Scales 88), Sutton (Stevens 78), Watt, Cooke, Evans, Rowe (Cook 78). Unused substitutes: Huffer (gk), Canavan, Donaldson, French.

Barrow: Dixon, Eardley, Platt, Davies (Bramall 74), Brough, Hardcastle (Dononhue 66), Banks (Devitt 73), Kay, Biggins, Thomas, Quigley. Unused substitutes: Lillis (gk), James, Jones, Chris Taylor.

Referee: A Coggins (Oxfordshire).

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