REDS BEATEN BY BANTAMS

21 November 2023

A heavy defeat at Valley Parade as the group stage comes to an end.

A much-changed Barnsley outfit were comfortably seen off by their Yorkshire neighbours in tonight's Bristol Street Motors Trophy Group F clash.

Just a couple of minutes had elapsed when Bantams defender Matthew Platt headed the hosts in front, getting on the end of a wonderful Harry Chapman cross from the right wing.

The Reds could have hit back quickly but Jack Shepherd's half-volley at the back post was too high to trouble home 'keeper Colin Doyle.

City could have doubled their lead on 12 minutes but Ben Killip was down well to block Tyler Smith's attempt with his legs.

However, their second goal came just a few minutes later when veteran forward Andy Cook slammed home an effort from the edge of the box.

Smith would get on the scoresheet after his earlier missed opportunity when he made it 3-0 after tying Shepherd up in knots before crashing a strike into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

HALF TIME: Bradford City 3-0 Barnsley

The second 45 was more competitive, but individual errors were punished all night and after Killip had rushed out to deny one effort, he couldn't keep out Lewis Richards' follow-up and the hosts went four in front.

Former Reds favourite Clarke Oduor popped up to finish off a flowing counter-attack, extending his side's lead even further on 66 minutes, before the Reds finally had something to shout about.

Substitute Barry Cotter was played in by Aaron Atkinson and the Irishman finished well with a low drive from the edge of the area.

Another replacement, Emmaisa Nzondo nearly added a second, getting onto Corey O'Keeffe's low cross but Doyle pulled off a great save from eight yards out to scupper the youngster.

And as we entered stoppage time, Shepherd's difficult evening was capped off when he was given his marching orders for preventing a goalscoring opportunity.

The result means that whilst progressing from the group as runners up, the Reds will now face an away tie in the round of 32.

FULL TIME: Bradford City 5-1 Barnsley

Killip, O'Keeffe, McCarthy, Hickingbottom, Shepherd, Dodgson, Yoganathan (Makiessi), Connell (Ackroyd), Atkinson, Marsh (Nzondo), Cosgrove (Cotter).

Unused: Flavell, Pickard, Benjamin.

Ticket News

BRADFORD TICKET UPDATE

20 November 2023

We have sold out our initial allocation at Valley Parade with pay-on-the-day available for Reds supporters.

Our advanced allocation to Bradford for our Bristol Street Motors Trophy fixture has now sold out.

There is an option for supporters to pay on the day at the University of Bradford Stadium from the away end turnstiles on Midland Road.

Supporters will need to scan a QR code upon arrival at the turnstiles which will allow take you through to a website to purchase tickets in the away section of the stadium.

Any supporters who are collecting tickets can do so from the away turnstiles on Midland Road. Any tickets which have not been collected from the box office at Oakwell by 3.30pm on the day will be sent to the University of Bradford Stadium for collection on the night.

If supporters can no longer attend the fixture, they have until 12pm on Tuesday 21 November to return their tickets to the box office for a refund.

Thank you for your support.