They say good things come to those who wait, and Bradford City Women’s performance on Sunday was certainly worth it.
After a difficult start to the season that has produced one victory in six games, the Bantams doubled their win tally for the season with a 5-1 thrashing of Stoke City.
In what began as a blustery day in West Yorkshire, the Bantams grafted hard in a good start. Lucy Sowerby was forced to make an early goalline clearance, but the hosts continued to look good going forward.
And as the sun started to shine, City took the lead. 30 yards out, Charlotte Stuart was given space to strike and she did exactly that, sending a rocket into the top corner.
Bradford looked more than good for their lead too. Stoke were forcing the odd routine save out of Charlotte Oates, but otherwise failed to really stretch their opposition as Sowerby’s header over the bar closed out the opening 45 minutes.
One goal wouldn’t win this game though. A fixture with a history of goals, producing an average just short of four per match over the last three seasons, City were going to need to score at least two to win it as Stoke equalised on the hour.
A scruffy, disappointing goal to concede, it was Rachel Ball who bundled a corner in from close range to remind Bradford that they weren’t done yet.
However, the hosts took the goal the right way. Instead of letting their heads drop, they were fired up, a wake-up call ringing loudly in their ears.
Almost immediately from kick-off, Abi Lee drove forward, slipped in Sowerby, and the striker finished with aplomb to re-establish the lead.
Having seen that Stoke were capable of coming right back at them, Bradford then took the game to the Potters. Laura Elford came close one-on-one, Zoe Roberts whacked an effort against the post, and then City gained the advantage.
It wasn’t a goal advantage though, but a player advantage. An off-the-ball incident involving Stuart and Hannah Keryakoplis saw the latter dismissed, and City capitalised.
Stuart fired in another belter from distance, while Keavy Smith and Meg Lawson both made significant impacts off the bench.
As a rainbow appeared in the background, City made the picture perfect with two late goals in the foreground.
Smith threaded Sowerby through for her second of the day, while Lawson was switched on to demand a short corner that Jess Graham turned in from close range.
With four of their five October games requiring them to travel, City capped off a marathon of home fixtures in style – style that gives them real momentum going into that tough run.
Photos: George Wood