Mini match report and fan reactions
City started the better of the two sides, pressing the visitors backwards with the high pace attacks. City definitely had the better of the early play, play that brought chances for Alex Gillead (3′) and Romain Vincelot (5′). There was only a brief lull before star striker, and January buy, Charlie Wyke popped up for the opening goal on 13 minutes.
GOAL: Charlie Wyke volleys #bcafc in front … @Bradford_TandA
(pic: @tmgphotography) pic.twitter.com/WVmNALDwZj— Simon Parker (@ParkerTandA) September 2, 2017
Bristol Rovers had a chance almost straight afterwards, but a corner rom Ollie Clarke and a header by Jonathan Burn was headed straight at City keeper Colin Doyle. City continued to press, forcing a number of corners and creating numerous half-chances for the likes of Nicky Law and Dominic Poleon. As half-time approached both sides weren’t afraid to loose off shots, but to no effect and the half ended 1-0 to the home side.
The second-half started with both sides pressing in front of a 19,284 crowd (395 Bristol Rovers fans). The score was still 1-0 as the hour mark approached, with Alex Gillead and goal-scorer Wyke teeing up Nicky Law whose eventual shot was tame. It wasn’t long after that when Wyke (62′) nodded in his second of the afternoon to double the Bantams’ lead. The chances continued to come and Rovers’ Billy Bodin reminded City that the visitors were still in the game, curling a shot over from 20 yards out.
With the game opening up, chances continued to come and it was City who made the next one count. It was that man Wyke again (73′) whose hat-trick goal made it nine goals in 11 home games for the former Rochdale man. Still Bristol Rovers continued to toil and the industrious Bodin (81′) got a just consolation goal, the game then drifting to its end and a 3-1 Bradford victory.
Bantams fans react to 3-1 home victory vs Bristol Rovers
There was a lot of love for the performance and the hat-trick hero.
@Jacqui_BCAFC @Babychan What a result! We looked class throughout and some great goals. 😎🙌🏼⚽️
— Benjamin Heaton (@BenHeaton) September 2, 2017
@Charliewyke1 Sensational today Charlie! They couldn't live with you 👏🏻 #bcafc
— Stuart Clough (@stuclough85) September 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/Richard61950521/status/903998850180018176
@Charliewyke1 well play and congratulations on bagging a #bcafc hatrick. ⚽️⚽️⚽️ match ball hero.
— Steve🏴Hemsworth (@hemsworth_steve) September 2, 2017
Back to winning ways! What a performance fans were electric, @Charliewyke1 what a guy 😅🙌🏾 #bcafc ❤️💛
— Marzi 🇧🇧 (@OmariPatrick__) September 2, 2017
Fans were also happy to see Adam Chicksen out there and putting himself about a bit.
Loved Chicksen's crunching tackle in the first half btw, early days but he looks a player #bcafc
— Leon Hobbes (@LeonHobbes) September 2, 2017
Pleased for Chicksen. Great to see the lad back and playing well. #bcafc
— Paul Jackson (@J4CKO71) September 2, 2017
There is a lot of love for other players too.
Thought @AlexGilliead had his best game in a City shirt today, superb. Love a good winger #bcafc
— Ian Hemmens (@IHemmens) September 2, 2017
@halfpintheroine City played a lot better this week. Wyke was brilliant and Jake Reeves too! #bcafc
— Benjamin Heaton (@BenHeaton) September 2, 2017
