By Jason McKeown

The most inconsequential game of Bradford City’s season suddenly turned into something unexpectedly meaningful.

The Bantams, already through to the next round of the EFL Trophy, triumphed easily. York City, already out of the competition, lost again. But though nothing was riding on the outcome, the game ended with six Bradford City academy players on the pitch. And that felt rather significant.

Take a bow starters Zac Hadi and Harry Ibbitson, plus second-half substitutes Oscar Lunn, Oliver Hewitt, Leeroy Gomes and Gabriel Holt. All but Ibbitson were making their Bradford City debuts.

A night of low stakes became a tantalising glimpse of the future. It was the most academy products to feature in one City game since Stuart McCall blooded eight during a 3-1 EFL Trophy defeat to Oldham Athletic, six years ago to the day.

And with City racking up another four goals – that’s now 11 in two games, more than their entire League One output this season – a sparse and chilly November crowd had plenty to enjoy. Michael Duff could hardly have asked for more from a game that appeared to offer so little.

It felt like a game both clubs could have done without. The only jeopardy was that City could have surrendered top spot in Group C to Newcastle U21s, meaning a second-round tie away from home rather than at Valley Parade. But even that hardly-highest-of-stakes scenario required the Bantams to lose 4-0.

They did not lose 4-0.

So, phew. We can rest easy.

And with four goals to celebrate and the kids proving alright, this game became the equivalent of finding a tenner down the back of the sofa. It’s not going to define your year, but you’re still rather pleased it happened.

Duff could not have planned it better. First team players were rested up, and the back-ups got the chance to back up their first-team claims. Duff talked pre-match of looking for the same Bradford City from a different Bradford City team, and he got it.

To be fair, it was a lively game for such low stakes. A combined 44 efforts on goal, working out at a shot every two minutes and three seconds. York can just about argue they were the better side for the first half hour, but as soon as Antoni Sarcevic opened the scoring, the Bantams took over and didn’t look back.

Sarcevic was back in the side after his one-match suspension, and was interestingly deployed as a wide forward for the second time under Duff, rather than the attacking midfield position Graham Alexander had switched him to this season. His goal was created by the other two forwards. Will Swan broke forward and into the box before finding Humphrys, who had peeled slightly wide. His clever touch steered the ball back into Sarcevic’s path for a simple finish.

It was City’s first shot on target of the night, though Kieran Morgan did hit the angle of post and crossbar early doors, after he was set up to shoot by a lovely Humphrys flick. The 18-year-old York midfielder, Ethan Stiver, also hit the woodwork, after a corner was knocked down into his path.

York remain without an away win in any competition since their return to the Football League, but they certainly weren’t timid. Captain Jeff King screwed a shot wide, and Hadi made a good save to keep out a long-range Jovan Malcolm effort, with Reece Welch deflecting the rebound effort from Joe Grey wide of the post. And then Hadi made his best save of the night, wonderfully keeping out a Dipo Akinyemi header.

These were lovely moments for Hadi. The towering six-foot-six Iraqi under-23 international looked calm and composed throughout. His reward was a clean sheet, City’s 15th in 21 league and cup games this season.

Remarkable stuff.

When Sarcevic put City in front moments after Hadi’s Akinyemi stop, the tide turned. Shortly after, Humphrys produced some lovely skill to beat his man and cut inside, only to poke a shot wide of goal with Swan in space for a tap-in. Henry Cartwright lashed a shot just wide from distance, before Morgan picked out Humphrys for a low shot well saved by George Sykes-Kenworthy – another City academy player on the pitch. There was still time before the break for Welch to head over and Sarcevic shoot wide, with Humphrys heavily involved in the build-up each time.

Humphrys was making himself the main character. The man who started the season on the naughty step continues to edge his way off it. Cup appearances have brought guarded praise from first Graham Alexander and now Michael Duff, like exasperated parents acknowledging the improved behaviour while keeping one eye out for the next misdemeanour.

And that is Humphrys’ challenge. A player with question marks hanging over his attitude cannot afford to look like he has an attitude. He has to chase the lost cause. Make the run that might not be rewarded. React to the misplaced pass by going again rather than throwing up his arms. And not look bored playing down the middle.

Here, he did all of that. And in the second half it brought the reward of his first goal at Valley Parade since April. Good build-up play saw Welch cross and Humphrys’ header deflect off a defender before rolling slowly into the bottom corner. It was his last touch before he was subbed to a standing ovation.

His redemption arc continues.

Duff has spent much of his early tenure at City wrestling with the challenge of making the Bantams a stronger goal threat. The more Humphrys puts in performances like this, and his cameo from the bench on Saturday, the harder he becomes for Duff to ignore. He might not be in the starting line-up when City welcome Doncaster in the league Saturday week, but he’s getting closer.

Powell was Humphrys’ replacement. It’s curious the 32-year-old has figured as much over the past two games, but clearly keeping his fitness ticking over with gametime is better than resting him and risking him stiffening up like an old garden gate.

And we got more vintage Powell. He set up Swan to make it 3-0 after a brilliant City counter-attack that began with Welch winning the ball level with his own area, and seconds later Corey O’Keeffe was playing in Powell to cross. And then late on O’Keeffe again played Powell through, and this time he finished for what’s already his eighth goal of the season. What a guy.

Powell is affectionately cast as the old man of this City team, and never had he looked more like it than when he turned around to find himself celebrating with a collection of kids.

Lunn had come on alongside Powell before Gomes and Holt joined the fun on 77 minutes. Hewitt made it six academy products on the pitch when he arrived in the 84th minute, and might even have added a fifth goal with a late effort saved by Sykes-Kenworthy.

It capped a night that had looked so unappealing. The fact the club marketed the game as an opportunity to earn 20 loyalty points said plenty about its pull. Just over 2,000 City supporters, plus a healthy York following, nevertheless made the effort. They very much deserve their elevated position in the queue for Manchester City, and Wimborne Town, tickets.

But they also got to see something unexpected.

Six academy products shared the pitch. Five made their debuts. Humphrys continued his rehabilitation. Powell did Powell things. The goals kept flying in. A game that offered precious little jeopardy somehow produced plenty to feel good about.

This won’t be a night that registers highly when we look back on Bradford City’s season.

But sometimes you have to sit through the games that seem to mean nothing to discover something that does.

Postscript: After the game, Duff confirmed Bobby Pointon is facing eight weeks out injured, while George Lapslie will be sidelined for a month.

Categories: Match Reviews

Tags: 2026/27, BCAFC, Football League Trophy, York City