City’s under-19s rounded off their EFL Youth Alliance North West Division campaign with an entertaining 4-4 draw at the Horsfall Community Stadium against Hartlepool United.
The Bantams took a 2-1 lead into half-time following goals from Bilal Hussain and Eni Rotimi. After the restart, Gabe Wadsworth quickly added a third with a stunning volley before Hartlepool tied the score at 3-3 just after the hour mark. A late Cameron Paul goal was counteracted in the 87th minute as both sides left with a point.
The encounter burst into life early on as the Bantams had a golden chance to take the lead just three minutes in.
Gabe Wadsworth lightly volleyed the ball beyond the Monkey Hangers’ defence for Bilal Hussain to run on to. After being forced slightly wide of the goal, the winger sent his effort over the bar.
Eni Rotimi had looked a lively character for City in the opening stages as a trio of chances had required intervention from Hartlepool’s backline inside 14 minutes.
The best of the lot came from a low cross delivered by Harry Ibbitson. Rotimi stabbed it towards goal but a vital touch from a defender took it onto the post and allowed the goalkeeper to claim the ball.
Eighteen minutes were on the clock when the Bantams deservedly gained the advantage. Ibbitson slipped a pass through the middle for Hussain to run in behind. With immense composure, he slotted it left-footed into the bottom corner.
Following the breakthrough, Hartlepool responded swiftly when the ball squirmed through two City players and broke into the area. The away attacker passed it into the net, levelling the tie.
The Monkey Hangers had looked to be finding a foothold in the game, but it was City who next added to the score five minutes before half-time.
Ibbitson turned provider once again after his fake-shot from 20 yards away gave him room to work with. He split the opposition defence once again with another unbelievable pass to find an unmarked Rotimi. He blasted it in from close range for City to regain the upper hand.
The restart promptly provided a moment of magic from Gabe Wadsworth, who gave the hosts a two-goal cushion.
After Lewis Boney’s long throw was only headed clear to the edge of the box, Wadsworth struck a thunderous volley past the Hartlepool stopper to send City further ahead.
An hour into the game, however, that deficit had been halved. An outswinging cross dropped for a Hartlepool player 18 yards out who powered it into the top corner, out of the reach of debutant goalkeeper, Alfie Brindley-Smith.
Eight minutes later, Hartlepool’s comeback was complete. Another cross from the right was turned into the back of his own net by Oliver Thompson to level proceedings at 3-3.
With just 10 minutes left of this pulsating game, City would remarkably re-take the lead.
Ibbitson got his third assist of the match, providing a pass across the six yard box for substitute Cameron Paul to touch home with ease.
However, conforming to the match’s end-to-end trend, Hartlepool equalised with just three minutes of normal time remaining, when a deep free-kick was brought down in the box and smashed in from four yards out.
The late goal saw the young Bantams finish fourth in the EFL Youth Alliance North West Division group stage phase, tied on points for third with the visitors Hartlepool United.
CITY: Alfie Brindley-Smith, Max Murray, Lewis Boney (c), Joel Martin, Oliver Thompson, Leon Brooks, Bilal Hussain (Mohamad Mahmoud 72’), Franklin Denison, Harry Ibbitson, Gabe Wadsworth, Eni Rotimi (Cameron Paul 64’) UNUSED SUBS: Harry Barrow, Kieran Mboma.
GOALS: Hussain (18’), Rotimi (40’), Wadsworth (51’), Paul (83’).
