Hartlepool United 5 Bradford City 0: Bantams are brushed aside

The Bantams, who twice appeared under the iconic Wembley arch last season, have now exited two cup competitions at the first hurdle this time around.

The trip to League Two Hartlepool United – managed by former City caretaker boss Colin Cooper – was a repeat of last year’s opening round tie when Phil Parkinson’s side were penalty-shootout victors.

City enjoyed an enterprising start with striker Garry Thompson drawing a flying save from Scott Flinders, but the visitors were never in it once Luke James opened the scoring midway through the first half, heading beyond debutant goalkeeper Connor Ripley, on loan from Middlesbrough.

Rory McArdle had flashed wide a header and Flinders was forced to smuggle clear Thompson’s improvised flick. But that was as close as the visitors came and by the hour mark they trailed by four.

Jonathan Franks smashed in from 14 yards within two minutes of the restart and Christian Burgess headed home.

Jack Compton, formerly of Bradford, opened his account for his new club with a penalty after Ricky Ravenhill had tripped James. Another ex-Bantam, Nialle Rodney, completed the scoring.

Hartlepool United: Flinders; Duckworth, Baldwin, Burgess, Austin; Franks, Dolan, Walker (Walton 68), Compton (Poole 76); Monkhouse, James (Rodney 68). Unused substitutes: Rafferty, Collins.

Bradford City: Ripley, Darby, Taylor, McArdle (Connell 46), Meredith (McHugh 46); De Vita, Ravenhill, Doyle, Kennedy, Yeates; Thompson (Reid 75). Unused substitutes: McLaughlin, Wells.

Referee: Richard Clark (Northumberland).