Bradford City were a side digging themselves a hole but a few games ago. Deep in the relegation mire, keeping on digging for a way out was a seemingly fruitless task.
Apart from one game, a 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon, the Bantams have been in the relegation zone since losing 3-2 on matchday 7 away at Blackpool.
14 games that’s been, with seven of these seeing the Valley Parade side firmly fixed in place as the division’s basement side. They’ve taken some hammerings, the 4-2 loss to Coventry City and the 4-0 pasting from Luton Town spring to mind.
Boss David Hopkin said that he sensed that an upturn in fortune was just around the corner. That seemed to begin with the comprehensive 4-0 smashing of mid-table Walsall in the biblical rain of last weekend.
That upturn continued today as City welcomed their former manager Stuart McCall and his 20th-placed Scunthorpe side to West Yorkshire. It was one of those cliched six-point games, a ‘must-win’ game.
As a ‘must-win’, City went out and did just that. In a solid display that lifted them out of the relegation zone, goals from Jack Payne (10′) and Eoin Doyle (27′) were enough to lift them above Scunthorpe on goal difference.
It was a result that was well received on Twitter as fans took to the social media platform to celebrate. Next up for the Bantams is a tough away game at Sunderland, a side that beat them 2-1 at Valley Parade back in early October.
2-0 win sees Bantams step out of League One relegation zone
First up the goal announcements from Bradford City themselves.
Jack Payne (10′) makes it 1-0
⚽️ 11′ | GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL | Eoin Doyle snatches possession on half-way, races forward and finds Jack Payne – who puts the ball past Jak Alnwick, with a little help from the post!
🐓 1-0 🔵#BCAFC pic.twitter.com/agu94WAW6k
— Bradford City (@officialbantams) December 22, 2018
Eoin Doyle (27′) makes it 2-0
⚽️ 27′ | GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL | Eoin Doyle smashes it past Jak Alnwick, who was booked just prior!
🐓 2-0 🔵#BCAFC pic.twitter.com/2MIEttrEiz
— Bradford City (@officialbantams) December 22, 2018
Now it’s the turn of the joyous City fans.
Promotion push is on #bcafc
— Damon Partridge (@King__damon) December 22, 2018
Jack Payne is different gravy. Like that new stuff Nandos have just made #bcafc #htafc
— Jack Thompson (@jack_thompson11) December 22, 2018
Another great performance fron #bcafc today. Shouldve 5 or 6. Out of the bottom 4 for xmas. Bring on #safc.
— Andy Rozee (@AndrewRozee) December 22, 2018
Six goals in the last two games, none conceded. Jack Payne looks like the Messi of League One, Lewis O’Brien is playing with remarkable freedom, we’re looking more solid at the back and the crowd went back up to around 16,000.
Merry Christmas #bcafc fans! pic.twitter.com/jo5jhnaq3X
— Jake Verity (@jake_verity) December 22, 2018
Dear Santa. I appreciate that you’ve already managed to sort the main item on my Christmas list now that we’re out the drop zone but can we also have @Jackopayne1 and @Lewis_OBrien98 on permanent deals? #bcafc
— Tim Penfold (@Bantamtim) December 22, 2018
Well done #bcafc – a sense of togetherness back and out of the relegation zone by Christmas 🎄 ⚽️ kudos to DH
— David Gibson (@LeGibulet) December 22, 2018
Enjoyed every second of that! Get in City! #bcafc
— Rich Austin (@RichAustin21) December 22, 2018