Bradford City U-19s Secure 3-0 Victory over Harrogate Town

In the Professional Development League Cup, City’s under-19s secured a comfortable 3-0 victory in the EFL Youth Alliance North East Division against neighbours Harrogate Town. Returning to action at the Horsfall Community Stadium, Harry Ibbitson showcased his scoring ability with a hat-trick, notching his fifth goal in two games.

The match started evenly with both sides threatening to score, but it was City who took the lead. Fourteen minutes in, Max Murray delivered a free-kick into the box that deflected off a Harrogate defender, leaving Ibbitson with enough space to head home.

The Bantams continued to dominate and found the net again after just five minutes. A cross from Murray found Donald Kamwa, whose header was saved brilliantly by Town keeper Alex Mooney. Leon Brooks followed up with a rebound goal, but it was ruled offside.

Harrogate started the second half on the front foot and came close to equalizing through Jack Bray, but he steered the ball wide of the post. City had their chance to extend the lead when Kamwa misjudged a bounce in front of an open net, which led to a shot hitting the crossbar.

However, Murray and Ibbitson combined once again to secure a second goal. Murray’s corner found Ibbitson in the box, who took a touch before firing it into the roof of the net. Ibbitson completed his hat-trick in added time, calmly slotting the ball past Mooney to seal a comprehensive victory.

The match ended with a final scoreline of 3-0 in favor of City’s under-19s, highlighting Ibbitson’s excellent form and City’s dominant performance.

City XI: Zac Hadi, Fin Gledhill (Oliver Thompson 52’), Lewis Boney, Sam Bentley, George Goodman, Leon Brooks, Max Murray, Freddy Jeffreys, Harry Ibbitson (c), Donald Kamwa, Isaac Robinson (Mo Sedibeh 35’). Unused Subs: George Lord, Bilal Hussain, Eni Rotimi.

Harrogate XI: Alex Mooney, Lucas Barnes, James Moorby, Marcus Etherington, Cardan Taylor, Josh Brodella, Alfie Lee (c), Jack Bray, Jack McClarin (Ollie Nicholson 75’), Robbie Wilson (Elija Samuels 90’), Adam Pow. Unused Subs: Frankie Shephard, Lewis Smalley, Oli Robinson.