| Wycombe Wanderers 1 |
| Vidigal 6 |
| Bradford City 2 |
| Pointon 52, Baldwin 68 |
By Adam Raj
Well I can’t quite believe it. Bradford City have won away. Not only that but they’ve come from behind to take all three points – a feat that City have not managed in six months and 19 away games.
It’s fair to say even the most optimistic of City fans wasn’t expecting this, especially after going behind only six minutes into the contest in Buckinghamshire. Aden Baldwin’s mistake early on looked every inch a case of ‘here we go again’, but City didn’t collapse like they had previously when going behind. Like they had at Mansfield, Lincoln, Wimbledon, Wigan, Burton etc. They’ve found a way to reverse the trend.
Baldwin’s slack pass to Lee Evans was cut out by Mark Harris and Caolan Boyd-Munce fed Andre Vidigal just inside the left corner of the box. The winger squared up Matt Pennington before working half a yard and slamming home with his right foot to give the hosts the lead.
City could’ve been further behind after 25 minutes as Cauley Woodrow’s back post effort looked to have crossed the line as it was ‘saved’ by Sam Walker, but both the referee and linesman were unmoved. It hit the City keeper straight in the chest but from the away end it certainly looked like City had got away with one there.
Still, it was that bit of luck that City probably needed. At 2-0 it most definitely would’ve been game over but with only one goal in it, there’s always a chance.
City had struggled in the opening period to get near Wycombe. The hosts were playing some nice stuff and clearly had a squad of technically gifted players. City were too passive in their press and allowed Wycombe run rings around them at times. However, for all their good play, Woodrow’s effort was as close as they came to a second goal.
It left the door ajar for a City side you wouldn’t have bet on throwing it wide open. City’s problems on the road had coincided with a propensity to concede the first goal and suffer as a result. They would lose their confidence and not be able to wrestle back momentum in the game leading to an inevitable collapse.
Getting to HT at 1-0 seemed like an achievement, whilst not necessarily being under the cosh. It gave Alexander an opportunity to get his message across and to make a pretty necessary substitution. Evans had done okay but there was a balance issue in the midfield that needed correcting. Neither Evans or Max Power are blessed with pace at this stage in their career and it felt like their lack of mobility was subconsciously affecting their committal to the press.
Jensen Metcalfe came on and gave City the legs that they missed. The midfielder had seen his performances dip in the last few weeks but that isn’t unusual for a young player who has set such high standards this season.
City started the second half well. They were immediately 5-10 yards further up the pitch and making Wycombe uncomfortable. Suddenly the hosts were making mistakes, their defence was looking rattled and City had swung the momentum in their favour.
Harrison Ashby who had been brought in for Josh Neufville showed some great footwork on halfway before sending a fantastic ball in behind for Stephen Humphrys to chase. His touch took the ball into the on-rushing Will Norris but Bobby Pointon was on hand to slam home the rebound.
17 minutes later and City had completed the turnaround. Max Power sent a great free kick into the box and Baldwin was on hand to volley home past Norris. Baldwin who had undergone his own redemption in this game, did well to wrap his leg around Jack Grimmer and catch the ball sweet on the volley. Aside from the early mistake, this was another fantastic performance from Baldwin who was near faultless.
Add in the sight of Kayden Jackson’s return from injury and things were looking rosey. Even Nick Powell came from nowhere to get his first minutes since September.
Wycombe were stunned by City’s revival and ultimately City held on without any moments of significant concern. Joe Wright came on to deal with the host’s long balls in the closing stages but City mopped up aerially and defended their box well.
The win takes City nine points clear inside the playoffs. They are now closer to Cardiff in second than they are to seventh. Crucially though, it’s a come from behind win away from home in what has been a difficult 2026 on the road. City’s confidence should be restored ahead of their final two away games and (hopefully) the away leg of the playoffs to come.
Categories: Match Reviews
Bradford City manage their nerves to edge closer to sealing a play-off spot 
Bradford City falter on the road again 
Wright’s rescue act keeps Bradford City in strong position, but depth questions remain 
A belated Wigan match review 
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a bit concerned to hear GA say he thought we played well in the first half
we were awful
well played second half once Metcalfe came on
Well, that was an Easter miracle. The substitutions where pivotal. They just couldn’t handle our press further up the pitch, and dare I say, if he stays fit, Powell looks a great super sub to bring on to upset opposing defenses. Big, strong, and a right nuisance. Fair play to GA for persevering with him. Nice little win against Stevenage next week, and it’s job done. Happy days.
Knowing Alexander and the City way, we’ll use “chasing down” Cardiff as the incentive instead of focusing on securing the play offs! Cardiff are in terrible form. And their next three games are Reading, Bolton and Huddersfield. One game at a time but let’s see how close we are to them in three games time!
Unfortunately they’ve got both Port Vale AND Northampton.
Mind you, if they lose the other four and we win all our five…………….
This was a Fantastic result well beyond expectations and more or less solidifies their play off place? Three home games and two away should surely guarantee this? The squad proved today with players coming back at the right time can do enough to secure this. Players like Tilt, Pointon and Ashby ( my MoM) with their persistence ground out the result we needed after a dire away form and coming at the right time to gain momentum in to the play offs. And who knows keep this up and we could close the gap on Cardiff?! Onward to Saturday against Stevenage! Another win takes us closer to that dream venue Wembley….or dare I say it automatic promotion?! Up the Bantams! Let’s get behind the lads on Saturday and be that twelfth man!!
I didn’t think Wycombe ran rings around us in the first half. I thought the first half was pretty even with both sides playing some decent stuff without being effective. Wycombe capitalised on a mistake and that was it really. We didn’t get away with one with the Walker save, it didn’t go in!
It was a fantastic result, one that hopefully breeds some confidence away from home and going into the playoffs. After going ahead, we looked extremely comfortable, like when we’re infront at home! Similar to last year, we are so much more effective and comfortable when we don’t have the majority of the ball and the away victories against Cardiff, Stockport, Wycombe and Plymouth highlight this.
It’s been a fantastic season and with the playoffs virtually secured, it looks like it’s anyone’s for the taking. Cmon City!