Despite a spirited second half performance, Burton Albion's Professional Development Phase side suffered defeat away at Bradford City as Tristan Bennett’s super strike in the 53rd minute proved to be a consolation goal.
Albion’s Professional Development Phase side went toe to toe with the Bantams for much of the opening half hour, but a Jack Wilson brace put Bradford two goals in front at halftime. Burton provided a hearty second half performance but ultimately the Bantams were the better side on the day and ran out 4-1 winners.
Dylan Youmbi nearly opened the scoring for the hosts in the 16th minute when his deflected shot from the edge of the area looked destined for the back of the net, but Brewers’ keeper Kamil Dudek showed exceptional reactions to tip the shot onto the bar.
Albion thought they’d opened the scoring 11 minutes later when Connor Pace played a deep cross in from the left wing to an unmarked Drew Robinson at the back post, the fullback met the ball perfectly in the air with his header crashing out against the post, but the ball fell perfectly to Oakley Hazell who tapped the ball home from close range only for the offside flag to be raised.
Only three minutes later Bradford were 1-0 up. Wilson found himself with a lot of time on the edge of the area which allowed the unmarked winger to place his effort into the bottom right corner.
The Brewers responded positively after conceding the opening goal and were eager to find an equaliser with Dylan Scott coming closest to finding a leveller.
Joe Nyahwema went on an impressive solo run on the left wing which resulted in the captain cutting the ball back to an unmarked Scott, but unfortunately the striker snatched at his chance and smashed the ball over the bar from close range.
Four minutes later Wilson doubled his goal tally for the afternoon after Isaac Robinson chipped a dangerous ball in the box where Wilson met the ball firmly on the volley to put Bradford 2-0 up.
HALF TIME: BRADFORD CITY 2-0 BURTON ALBION
After a few tactical tweaks at half time Burton looked a lot more dangerous on the attack and proceeded to open up the Bradford defence on numerous occasions.
Bennett came close in the 49th minute when he went on an impressive run on the left wing which resulted in his low effort from the edge of the area being well held by Tom Myles in the Bradford goal.
Burton and Bennett continued to bombard the Bantams goal and were rewarded for their efforts in the 53rd minute where again BENNETT tried his luck from range, and this time the shot was pitch perfect as it rolled in off the post into bottom right corner to give the Brewers some hope.
Albion continued to push forward in search an equaliser but were further pegged back by Bradford in the 61st minute when Fred Jeffries’ deep cross from the left wing was headed home by Nathan Teasdale at the back stick.
The Bantams sealed their victory in style when substitute Don Kamwa carried the ball for some time before he curled the ball into the bottom right corner from range.
The young Brewers could not be faulted for their lack of effort and at times in the second period looked particularly dangerous on the break, but it simply wasn’t their day as they were punished by a clinical Bradford side.
FULL TIME: BRADFORD CITY 4-1 BURTON ALBION
ALBION: Dudek, Maginness, Robinson, Pace, Oakes, Tamen, Bennett, Knowles (Rush 81), Scott, Hazell, Nyahwema.
GOAL: Bennett