Sky Bet League One club Bradford City have fallen to a second pre-season defeat to National League North opposition after being defeated 1-0 at York City this afternoon.
The Bantams lost their opening friendly fixture 2-1 at Guiseley on Tuesday evening and a City side which might be classed as ‘in transition’ were also defeated at Bootham Crescent.
New Bradford City boss Michael Collins handed first starts to summer signings Hope Akpan and Sherwin Seedorf while one unnamed trialist lined-up on the right of the midfield.
The first half never really got going in hot conditions at Bootham Crescent. York City midfielder Simon Heslop’s dipping half volley from the edge of the box went just over the bar after 16 minutes before lively winger Seedorf thumped a shot straight at home keeper Adam Bartlett for Bradford City with the half time whistle just five minutes away.
York City went closest to breaking the deadlock in the final minute of the half. Striker Jordan Burrow got his head on a corner kick from the right but the ball cannoned off the back of Bantams defender Daniel Devine’s head before being tipped to safety by keeper Richard O’Donnell.
The start of the second half produced few clear goalscoring opportunities with the lively Seedorf dragging a shot from range well wide before York City substitute Josh Law whipped a free-kick over the bar at the other end.
The deadlock was finally broken just after the hour mark when Bradford City failed to clear a corner kick delivered to the front post and home defender Hamza Bencherif smashed the loose ball into the net.
The final half hour of the match gathered little momentum as a whole host of substitutions disrupted the play. A further trialist was introduced in midfield for The Bantams but made little impact as the home side comfortably held onto their slender lead.
Bradford City offered little in attack throughout the 90 minutes and bringing forward players to the club in the coming weeks could be on manager Collins’ mind.
