Bradford City battled back to secure a 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing Gillingham at Valley Parade, delivering a thrilling comeback performance that showcased grit and determination. Goals from defenders Neill Byrne and Jack Shepherd turned the game on its head, securing all three points and continuing City’s strong run of form.
Bradford City overcome early set-backs to show strength of character.
The game began with both sides testing each other cautiously, but Bradford City were first to put the ball in the back of the net with a header from defender Jack Shepherd destined to be the opening goal until Calum Kavanagh in his desperation to open his 2024/25 account decided to intervene from an offside position and apply the finishing touch. It was a moment of selfishness from a player who has struggled for form this season which only served to put extra pressure on him.
To compound things, it was Gillingham who managed to find the early breakthrough. A swift counter-attack led by George Lapslie caught the Bantams on the back foot, and when the ball found Jayden Clarke in the box, his deft finish off the post left Sam Walker with little chance to keep it out. This lead to an outburst from the Bradford City manager aimed at Kavanagh, to whom maybe he had again pointed out his lack of pressing and possibly the real world consequences his selfish actions minutes earlier had on the scoreline.
It was the first time this season, City found themselves trailing at home. But the hosts refused to let the early setback define the match. Instead of rushing forward in desperation, they stayed composed, with Clarke Oduor and Jamie Walker pushing the team forward, while Richie Smallwood remained the anchor, ensuring defensive stability. Even Calum Kavanagh found his rhythm pressing and intercepting loose balls, with flashes of the old Kav from last season.
Set-Pieces the game changer for the Bantams
City, aware of Gillingham’s vulnerabilities in dealing with set-pieces, found their first real chance in the 38th minute. A corner delivered by Jamie Walker caused chaos in the visitors’ box, bypassing several Gillingham heads before reaching Neill Byrne, who calmly side footed the ball home from close range to draw the Bantams level.
With Valley Parade roaring in approval, Bradford City surged forward once again before the half-time whistle. Lewis Richards, who had replaced Tyreik Wright, another defender to add to the already long list of casualties at the back, won a free-kick on the edge of the area. This presented another opportunity as Richie Smallwood sent a dangerous delivery into the penalty box, and after a brief scramble, the ball fell to Jack Shepherd lurking at the edge of the area. With pinpoint precision, Shepherd unleashed a left-footed strike into the top corner, a powerful finish that left Gillingham’s defence and goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Gillingham look for equaliser whilst Bantams keep disciplined.
As the second half wore on, Gillingham sought to regain control, introducing Jonny Williams in the hopes of unlocking City’s defence. However, the Bantams’ backline, led by the resilient Neill Byrne, stood tall. Byrne, alongside Cheick Diabate and Shepherd, handled Gillingham’s aerial threat with composure, particularly in their battles with the towering Oli Hawkins.
Despite increased possession, Gillingham struggled to turn their control into clear chances. City’s defence remained steadfast, limiting the visitors to speculative shots from distance. Sam Walker, calm and assured, dealt comfortably with the few efforts that came his way, as City kept the opposition at bay.
Dealing with pressure with a solid defence.
While Gillingham pushed forward in search of an equaliser, the Bantams remained dangerous on the counter. Clarke Oduor’s dribbling through the Gillingham lines caused regular disruption, while Calum Kavanagh continued to search for his first goal of the season, coming close on a couple of occasions.
The energy in Valley Parade only grew as the game went on, with City supporters in full voice, urging their team forward. The home side responded, with a particularly vocal Kop providing a rousing backdrop to a solid team performance. Oduor’s forward runs kept Gillingham’s defenders on alert, and although Turner redeemed himself with a few strong saves, the visitors were unable to break City’s defensive resilience.
Solid three points against decent opposition.
As the final whistle blew, Bradford City sealed a hard-earned 2-1 victory. With goals from two defenders—Byrne and Shepherd—the Bantams demonstrated their ability to dig deep, find goals from set-pieces, and hold strong when under pressure.
Manager Graham Alexander made changes when they needed to be made in order to make sure that the team didn’t fall off at the end. This match was a great example of how far the team has come since he became City boss. For too long the team had a soft centre that habitually crumbled under pressure but this team is showing that set backs are just that and dig in when it matters. This victory marks a significant step forward, with City now eyeing further momentum as they prepare for their next outing at Cheltenham Town.
Team Performance Rating: 8/10
Manager Rating: 9/10
Player Ratings:
BRADFORD CITY: S Walker 7, Diabate 7, Byrne 8, Shepherd 9, Halliday 7, Smallwood 8, Wright 4 (Richards 32min, 7), J Walker 7 (Pointon 67min, 6), Oduor 7 (Evans 80min), Kavanagh 6 (Smith 80min), Cook 6 (Oliver 80min). Subs (not used): Huntington, Doyle.
What Mystic Bantam Predicted
Score Prediction: Bradford City 2-0 Gillingham
Result: Bradford City 2-0 Gillingham
Mystic Bantam sees a game of tension and bursts of energy. The stars align for a decisive moment, with City’s guiding figure creating an opening in the centre. A set-piece may turn the tide, as an alert player rises to the occasion. Defenders will stand firm amid late pressure, but a final surge could bring reward for those who persist
It indeed was a game of tension and bursts of energy and it was from a corner that the tide was turned as Neill Byrne rose to the occasion to head home the equaliser. Richie Smallwood although not creating the opening from the centre, operates mainly in the centre. His free-kick lead to the problems in the box which saw Jack Shepard score the winner. The defence did stand firm to late pressure from Gillingham, and that persistence in defence brought the reward of seeing the match through with all three points.
Mystic Bantams Last 5 Predictions:
A v Harrogate Town: Prediction: 2-1 Result: 2-1
A v Morecambe: Prediction: 1-1 Result 1-1
H v Newport County Prediction: 2-1 Result 3-1
A v Tranmere Rovers Prediction: 0-1 Result 0-2
H v Gillingham Prediction: 2-1 Result: 2-1