Bradford City’s Head of Individual Technical Development, Martin Drury, was delighted that his under-19s’ side were able to earn the win – following their 1-0 triumph over Doncaster Rovers at their Woodhouse Grove training base.
Olivier Sukiennicki netted the winner just 20 minutes before the end of the game, sending City’s youngsters to within one point of the top of the table.
The young Bantams have won 10 of their last 11 games in the EFL Youth Alliance North East division.
Drury was eager to reflect on his side’s performance and was pleased with his Polish midfielder for producing a moment of magic to allow his team to come out on top.
He said: “I do not think it was a particularly great game.
“The conditions made it hard for both teams, but looking back at the stats from the game and the fact we had 82% possession and over 20 shots on goal, we were disappointed to score just the one.
“Us staff were very pleased with how the players found a way to win the game but that one was for the players to enjoy.
“There were plenty of fouls in the game and that eventually boiled over and led to three players getting sent off, one for us and two for Doncaster.
“It was a game that the players can learn from but it was settled from a moment of brilliance.
“With how the game went, we needed someone to come up a moment of individuality and Olivier did that which was pleasing.”
Drury went on to talk about his delight at how his players have continued to show a winning mentality throughout the season.
He also insisted that this is a crucial part of their development and will prepare them well for making the step up into a professional level.
He added: “As staff, it is not our job to win leagues or football matches, it is our job to get these players professional contracts to go into the first team here or anywhere else.
“Our games recently have been tight which is more realistic to what professional football is like anyway.
“The players are learning to find solutions and a way to win which is important.
“Players in the academy live and breathe bravery, hunger, and competitiveness and we want to see winning behaviours as individuals and as a group.
“As an academy, we always have been and always will be an individual development academy and that will never change. I believe our positive results have been due to this.”