Bradford City were handed their third defeat in a row, losing 3-0 against Lincoln City, thanks to goals from Freddie Draper, Jack Moylan and Ben House.
It only took Lincoln 7 minutes to make the breakthrough, Reeco Hackett’s free-kick from the right hand side was crossed onto the head of Freddie Draper, the Lincoln City academy graduate rose highest to head past Sam Walker and give his team the perfect start.
It was a dominant start from Lincoln, Jack Moylan worked the ball left to Rob Street, the Lincoln forward was able to come inside on to his right foot, but he curled his effort wide of the post.
The one way traffic continued, and it wasn’t long until Walker was called into action, Street’s cross from the left was poorly cleared by Ciaran Kelly, straight to Hackett who hit low and hard towards the bottom right corner, but Walker was able to get down with a strong wrist and push the ball away.
5 minutes before half-time Lincoln had a second, Hackett drifted in from the right hand side and hit a shot which was blocked by Kelly and sent up into the air, Street beat Tommy Leigh to the header with ease and was able to pick out Moylan in space, the Irish man made no mistake stroking the ball into the bottom right corner.
Bradford City only had 1 shot on target all game which came on the hour mark, Stephen Humphrys won the ball back high up the pitch, he then played a one-two with Calum Kavanagh, but the angle was against Humphrys who’s shot was saved at the near post by George Wickens.
Lincoln continued to push for a third and were still creating openings, Wickens hit a booming kick up field, which was first headed by Draper then Street into the path of Moylan, who’s left footed strike was beaten away by Walker.
5 minutes from time Lincoln got their deserved third goal, Tom Hamer’s long throw in was cleared by Jenson Metcalfe, but only as far as Adam Reach who recycled the ball back to Hamer who crossed the ball towards Ben House, the striker was able to head home on his return from a 2 month injury to cap off a fantastic night for Lincoln City.
This victory for Lincoln moves the Imps 9 points clear of Bradford City, as they continue to pursue promotion to the Championship, Bradford City have slipped to 5th being overtaken by Stockport County.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, Sam Walker said that actions must now speak louder than words;
“It’s about how you respond, words are really easy, it will be actions on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 that speak louder.”
Bradford City will host Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, a team which the Bantams haven’t beat at Valley Parade in the last 4 League fixtures.
Lincoln City: GK George Wickens, FB Tendayi Darikwa, CH Tom Hamer, CH Sonny Bradley, FB Adam Reach (Ryley Towler 90′), CM Ivan Varfolomeev (Tom Bayliss 90′), CM Conor McGrandles, WM Reeco Hackett (Dom Jefferies 77′), AM Rob Street, WM Jack Moylan (Ben House 77′), CF Freddie Draper (Alfie Lloyd 90′)
Subs: Zach Jeacock, Erik Ring
Goals: Freddie Draper 7′, Jack Moylan 41′, Ben House 86′
Bradford City: GK Sam Walker, CH Matthew Pennington (Aden Baldwin 69′), CH Curtis Tilt, CH Ciaran Kelly, WB Harrison Ashby (Josh Neufville 69′), CM Max Power, CM Jenson Metcalfe, WB Ibou Touray, AM Tommy Leigh (Joe White 69′), AM Tyreik Wright (Calum Kavanagh 46′), CF Stephen Humphrys
Subs: Joe Hilton, Joe Wright, Bobby Pointon