Written by Adam Raj (images by John Dewhirst)

Go on, hands up, who saw that coming? 0-3 up before the clock reached 50. 3. Three goals. Away at the (former) unbeaten league leaders who hadn’t even conceded a goal from open play. This Bradford City side is just different.

In fact, I’m not sure I should be surprised, Bradford City are the top scorers in the division. When could we last boast that? Back to back three goal hauls against much fancied sides in Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City see City go top of the pile with 17 goals from nine games.

But that’s not the only top spot they hold. Bradford City are top of League One. Okay, we’re not even ten games in yet and let’s not get carried away blah blah blah. Let’s just enjoy it. This club has had plenty of dark days over the last seven/eight years since our last spell in the third tier, we’re not used to being good.

City’s performance in the Welsh capital however was more that good. It was excellent. Superb. *add your own superlative*. City blew Cardiff away, they didn’t know what had hit them. Two up after half an hour and three after 49 minutes.

For the first – Tommy Leigh, take a bow. Tyreik Wright’s short corner found Leigh on the edge of the box who absolutely leathered it into the back of the net and past Nathan Trott before he knew it. It wasn’t Leigh’s first thunderous effort either – two minutes on the clock and the midfielder’s free kick flew inches wide of the far post, leaving Trott motionless.

It’s Leigh’s first goal in claret and amber and it was certainly a memorable one. It was a difficult start to life for the midfielder last season, playing out of position and looking like he didn’t have a place in this team. He’s like a player reborn in that central midfield role and dare I say it, he’s like a new signing.

City didn’t settle at one. They continued to press, to harry, to make the hosts very uncomfortable. Cardiff’s style of playing out from the back was causing them all sorts of issues and played straight into City’s hands. The Bantams played some excellent football too, constantly getting in behind Cardiff’s defensive line and having plenty of efforts on goal.

Just before the half hour mark, Will Swan came short to play a great ball over the top for Antoni Sarcevic to chase. He was sent clear into the box and when it looked like he would cross to Bobby Pointon, he chopped back and sold Gabriel Osho a new one with the Cardiff number two bringing down Sarcevic with a truly awful challenge. It was the most stone wall penalty since Ben Richards-Everton at Macclesfield. Up stepped Sarcevic to drill the ball down the middle and double City’s lead.

City were good value for the scoreline. And really is should’ve been more sooner. Pointon got in behind and crossed for an un-marked Sarcevic but he somehow headed over from a few yards out. Just before half time, Swan also sent a header over the bar when he should’ve done better. With Cardiff looking dangerous at the other end, you did worry we’d regret not taking at least one of those chances.

Fear not, up stepped Josh Neufville. Wright with a cheeky nutmeg on the near touchline played through Pointon, he slipped in Swan whose ball across the box was smashed home by City’s number seven for his second goal in two games. 0-3 and not a single person in the stadium could believe what they were seeing.

City continued to cause all sorts of problems. They were battling hard, winning second balls working space in dangerous areas.

It is notable that in the last couple of games, the wingbacks have found themselves in midfield, closing the gaps and preventing the overloads we were facing in the middle of the park. It is a tweak from Alexander when we don’t have the ball and it’s really pleasing to see such tactical flexibility.

Of course, in typical Bradford City fashion, we had to make it slightly more difficult for ourselves. 13 minutes from time and Cardiff got a goal back. Tom McIntyre, on for his debut, was unlucky as his header hit the back of Will Fish. Osho then had a shot blocked by Max Power and the ball deflected perfectly to Calum Robinson to slot home. A scrappy, disappointing goal to concede but the Bantams managed to navigate the remaining minutes (plus the addition eight) with little fuss.

Cardiff were certainly dangerous going forwards. They created some decent chances and put in a number of accurate crosses from wide areas. Sam Walker however, didn’t have a save of note to make. City were just too good, in every department.

Disappointingly City lost Leigh to sickness and Aden Baldwin to injury. Jenson Metcalfe came on and did well as did McIntyre. Fingers crossed they are back soon as the injury list does seem to be growing, particularly at centre half. It feels like the squad strength is already paying dividends and justifying Alexander’s wish to have greater numbers.

We’ll find out in a few months it City can maintain this level of performance and result. Maybe we can, maybe we can’t. But right now, it’s thoroughly enjoyable watching a Bradford City side attack with speed and score goals, no matter the opposition. And for a week at least, we are top of the league.

Next up, a trip further north to face Premier League Newcastle at St James park – it just gets better. We go up there knowing we’ll go for it, knowing we’ll give a proper account of ourselves regardless of the result.

The squad are full of confidence and who knows what can happen.

Categories: Match Reviews

Tags: 2025/26, BCAFC, Cardiff City, League One