Bradford City continued their recent resurgence by narrowly edging past League One Rotherham United in the EFL Trophy Quarter-Finals.
Captain Richie Smallwood, who put in an immense shift in the middle of the park, dispatched his penalty just before the hour mark to leave the Bantams one game away from a first Wembley appearance since 2013.
Response
There were questions about how Bradford would react to their weekend loss at AFC Wimbledon, following five straight wins beforehand, but they were answered resoundingly in South Yorkshire. They had a tough opening quarter but soon hit their stride, although Alex Pattison’s long-range drive was as close as they came to breaking the deadlock.
Deadline day signing Romoney Critchlow came straight into the side and was worked hard with the host’s aerial threat, particularly after the goal, but he came through with a clean sheet. There was no coincidence that Jamie Walker’s half-time introduction saw the visitors find another gear.
Third Times A Charm
Thrice after the break Bradford had appeals for a penalty. After Walker hit the deck and the ball appeared to strike Zak Jules’ arm, a spot-kick was awarded at the third time of asking. Paul Huntington provided the excellent cross-field ball that Brad Halliday took in his stride before being upended by Reece James inside the area. Up stepped Smallwood to confidently smash home from twelve yards out.
Just moments later, there was a superb passage of play with some exquisite one-touch football. Tyreik Wright was released down the left, forcing Cameron Dawson into a fumble that Bobby Pointon couldn’t punish. But they weren’t made to pay, seeing out the final half an hour without the expected Millers onslaught.
Season Over?
There will be huge disappointment in the Millers ranks with a result that effectively ends their campaign. Rotherham put in a commendable display against league leaders Birmingham City on Saturday but their performance yesterday evening was painfully similar to that of their pre-December struggle.
Hakeem Odoffin had their best chance 25 minutes into the contest when he forced Sam Walker into a point-blank save. Louie Sibley had a decent showing, but they lacked a clinical edge on the whole that saw the South Yorkshire outfit exit the Vertu Trophy with little more than a whimper.
Writer’s View
Bradford were excellent on the night, stamping their authority on the game and deservedly progressing. Wembley is well in sight now, while a second opportunity at a day out in London for Rotherham requires a scintillating second half of the campaign to make the top six. The Bantams though may just be dreaming of two visits to the capital…
