Yorkshire | Bradford City thrash young Everton side

Bradford City 5 - 1 Everton Under 21s

Bradford  swept aside Everton Under-21s with a commanding win as they sealed progress in the EFL Trophy. 

Author | Oliver W

Stadium | University of Bradford Stadium

Bradford City players celebrate

City were on the front foot from the outse. Max Power stole possession from Francis Gomez and combined neatly with Kavanagh and Lapslie before the ball broke for Lewis Richards, whose early strike was well saved by George Pickford.

Moments later, Jenson Metcalfe’s interception created another opening. Humphrys drove forward and, after his pass was deflected into Kavanagh’s path, the forward made no mistake, firing past the recovering defenders and advancing goalkeeper.

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The hosts continued to dominate, with Ciarán Kelly finding Brad Halliday, who almost picked out the top corner with a crisp strike. At the other end, Joe Hilton denied Everton’s Dwight McNeil from distance, before City doubled their lead when Kavanagh dispossessed the visitors once more and set up Humphrys to finish powerfully.

By the 20-minute mark, it was three. A long throw was flicked on twice before Humphrys pounced again, this time rifling home from close range.

Metcalfe went close from a set piece, curling just over, before City added a fourth before half-time. Humphrys again provided the cross from the right, Kavanagh dummied smartly, and Lapslie arrived to sweep the ball home.

The second-half

After the break, Humphrys chased a hat-trick but was thwarted by Pickford. Everton pulled one back on 73 minutes when Joe Wright turned a cross into his own net, yet it did little to change the pattern of play. Substitute Josh Neufville nearly restored the four-goal margin, dragging an effort wide, before Pattison added a deserved fifth late on.

The midfielder showed great composure to round William Tamen and, after his initial effort was parried, reacted quickest to head in from close range.

Humphrys missed a late chance to complete his treble, and Pickford produced two fine stops in stoppage time to deny both Pattison and Wright, but the result was already beyond doubt.

Graham Alexander’s side have now won both of their EFL Trophy fixtures, confirming their place in the next round with an emphatic performance.