Grecians on a high as Exeter thrash Bradford City 4-1

Exeter City completed a double for the season over Capital One Cup finalists Bradford City with a superb 4-1 victory at St James Park.

City’s first goal had a touch of fortune about it when Bantams goalkeeper Matt Duke bundled into his own net, and a debut goal from loanee Lawson D’Ath put the hosts two up at the break.

Kyel Reid cut City’s lead to a single goal late in the second half, but strikes by Scot Bennett and John O’Flynn put the sheen on a great victory and an important three points in the race for promotion.

Amongst the starting XI for the Grecians was D’Ath, signed the day before on loan from Reading. The youngster took a starting berth in central midfield, while John O’Flynn led the line alone with Jamie Cureton starting on the bench.

It was the second game in Devon in a week for the Bantams, who had drawn 0-0 with Plymouth on Tuesday evening at Home Park.  The visitors, with injury worries of their own, rang five changes from the midweek game.

Following a dry morning, the game started amidst a downpour of hail as the weather made the conditions less than favourable for the purists.

It might have been even more comprehensive when Arron Davies shot goalwards deep into added time, but Duke fielded the ball well – not that many City fans cared, following an excellent 4-1 victory.

Full-time: Exeter City 4 Bradford City 1

Exeter City: Krysiak; Amankwaah, Baldwin, Coles, Woodman; Davies, Bennett, D’Ath (Keohane 63), Molesley, Gosling (Tully 82); O’Flynn.
Subs (not used): Evans, Cureton, Bauza, Dawson, Moore-Taylor.
Goals: Duke o.g. (11), D’Ath (45), Bennett (84), O’Flynn (89).

Bradford City: Duke; McHugh, Nelson (Wells 85), Davies, Darby; Doyle (Reid h-t), Jones, Atkinson; Connell; Thompson (Hines h-t), Hanson.
Subs (not used): McLaughlin, Meredith, Ravenhill, Reid, Hines, McArdle.
Goal: Reid (79).

Attendance: 4,199 (251 away)

Referee: G. Salisbury

For the full match report click here.