First-half goals enough for Bradford to progress

Posted Sunday, November 05, 2017 by PA

First-half goals from Alex Gillead and Alex Jones sent Bradford through to the second round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 home win over League Two strugglers Chesterfield.

The League One side went in front after four minutes when a sweeping move down the centre of the pitch ended with Jones playing Gillead through on goal and the on-loan Newcastle winger slotted the ball into the corner from 10 yards.

The Bantams doubled their lead after 44 minutes - less than 60 seconds after Chesterfield had a goal disallowed for offside.

A short corner was played into the path of Jak McCourt, whose low shot was turned home just inside the near post by Kristian Dennis, but the visitors' leading scorer was ruled offside.

Bradford broke quickly and Charlie Wyke provided a through pass for fellow striker Jones to fire past advancing goalkeeper Joe Anyon.

The home side had the ball in the net again in first-half stoppage-time but Wyke's header was disallowed for pushing.

Three superb saves from Anyon - all to deny Paul Taylor - prevented Bradford from increasing their lead in the second half while Jones missed a great chance when one of Anyon's saves from Taylor rebounded into his path.