Wycombe Wanderers 1Vidigal 6Bradford City 2Pointon 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.
‹ Bradford City manage their nerves to edge closer to sealing a play-off spot
Categories: Match Reviews
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