Report: Bradford City U18s 1-0 Iron U18s

The Iron’s Under-18s team were defeated 1-0 at Bradford City on Saturday morning.

The team got to the ground but the referee deemed the pitch wasn’t playable in the goalmouths so the game was eventually played on an astroturf facility.

Scunthorpe started the game well and on three minutes Miracle Okafor saw his shot at goal blocked on the line.

In the eighth minute, Louis Collins headed over from an Aiden Train cross. Then, a minute later, Okafor’s shot on goal was saved by the goalkeeper.

On 10 minutes, the Iron had two corners in succession which were blocked off the line.

Three minutes later, Harry Jessop’s shot on goal was spilled by the goalkeeper but he claimed at the second attempt. Then, Raynner Silva sent a free-kick over the crossbar.

On 15 minutes, a high press led to a Jessop shot on goal which went over. After, Harry Baker broke forward from right-back and his shot at goal was tipped over by the goalkeeper.

In the 19th minute, totally against the run of play, a long free-kick was played over Cameron Morfoot and Train down the left channel, with the Bradford forward getting past and slotting past Sam Riches to make it 1-0.

Scunthorpe still continued to press at this point and on 30 minutes, Okafor had a shot on goal which went over. In the 37th minute, Silva’s free-kick from the edge of the box went over the crossbar.

With half-time approaching, Baker’s great pass found Collins but he sent his effort over the bar.

Scunthorpe carried on pressing in the second-half and, in the 48th minute, Pugh played a great throughball to Jessop, and a last-ditch Bradford tackle prevented him from coming close.

Bradford counter-attacked on 53 minutes and the Iron defended really well, blocking two shots off the line. They then shot wide from the edge of the box three minutes later.

On 60 minutes, United pushed forward and Levi Gallimore volleyed a shot over the crossbar. Then, three minutes later, Bradford saw a shot saved well by Riches. After, Jessop had a shot on goal which was saved.

Scunthorpe could have equalised in the 67th minute as Collins’ shot was saved and then Jessop dragged the rebound wide.

In the 80th minute, United were still pushing and Baker marauded forward from right-back before shooting over the bar.

With three minutes remaining, Pugh sent a free-kick over the crossbar from 20 yards and the game petered out at that point.

Overall, Scunthorpe were disappointed not to get something out of the game with the amount of chances they created. It was pleasing to get the match on after the initial doubts though, which puts them in shape for next Friday when they play Blackpool away in the quarter-final of the Youth Alliance Cup.

TEAM: Riches, Baker, Train, Pugh, Harrison, Morfoot, Gallimore (Dawson, 62), Jessop (Wilson, 68), Okafor (Wilkinson, 62), Collins, Silva.
SUBS: Crosher.