Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Kick off 15:00 (UK)

2-0
07 May 2022 Venue The Utilita Energy Stadium Attendance

Kick off 15:00 (UK)

Buy a pass:

Listen live now

Watch live now

Listen or watch live now

Recent results

Standings

English Football League - League Two

Advertisement block

Advertisement block

Live commentary of this match has not yet started.

toggle inactive

key moments

Updated at

There are currently no key moments to display.

Advertisement block

Advertisement block

Advertisement block

Advertisement block

Match Previews

PREVIEW: United round things off in Bradford

We look ahead to our final game of the season

5 May 2022

United end their season with an away trip to Valley Parade on Saturday.

bits

In what was a busy week of managerial changes at the end of February (ourselves included, of course) former Wales and Manchester City boss Mark Hughes was installed as the new boss at Bradford, citing it an "opportunity for him to develop".

The 58-year-old agree a 30-month deal, ahvign been absent from management since December 2018 when he parted company with Premier League side Southampton.

"It's not a level I'm used to operating at, but I'm intrigued to see how my skillset transfers," he said. "It's a league that's demanding, I understand that.

"Physically it asks questions of players and managers alike. At times it's a bit of a slog, you've got to get through the hard work, that's a given.

"But that doesn't faze me. That didn't faze me as a player, that doesn't faze me as a manager."

As a player he became a hero with Manchester United and has previously managed Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Fulham and QPR in the top-flight, as well as managing the Wales national team.

Ahead of kick off, there will be a minute of silence in remembrance of the tragic events of 37 years ago.

They will not be forgotten.

opposition

Mid-table Bradford have lost just one of their last five games, with two draws and two victories making up the remainder of that run.

Last Saturday's 4-1 thumping of Sutton was particularly impressive, with them bringing an end to the unbeaten home run for the league newcomers into the bargain.

Just two points separate the teams, so bragging rights are up for grabs for the victor.

who watch

Off the bench to provide an assist and a goal last Saturday was that fella we know quite well - Andy Cook.

A powerful forward, he tops the club scoring charts with 12 from 39n appearances.

Another who comes to life around the box, he'll definitely need to be monitored, whether starting or utilised later in the game.

ifollow

Click HERE to purchase a match pass that will allow you to listen to this fixture.  

With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.

Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.

highlights

  Bradford wins Draws Carlisle wins
League 20 13 16
Cup 0 0 1
League Cup 0 1 1
FA Cup 1 0 1
Total 21 14 19

These teams met in Carlisle in January 2022 and goals from former Bantams Omari Patrick and Jordan Gibson sealed the deal for the hosts.

Watch the highlights from that fixture here:

March 2021 brought the Bantams to Brunton Park as Rhys Bennett (2) and Ozzy Zanzala opened up a three-goal lead. Paudie O'Connor bagged a consolation, but the points stayed in Cumbria.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Rhys Bennett bagged the only goal of the game in December 2020 to earn the Cumbrians a deserved away win.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

A game blighted by red cards went the way of the Bantams back in September, as they bagged three in response to Olufela Olomola's early opener, but the match became a difficult one to measure for the Blues following a first-half sending off for Jack Bridge.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

We hadn't seen Bradford prior to that since the 1-0 home victory at Brunton Park back in February 2014. Striker Lee Miller scored the only goal of the game - and it was an absolute stunner - and keeping goal for the Blues that night was a certain young man called Jordan Pickford.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

A more recent meeting between the teams was the July 2018 pre-season friendly, played at Brunton Park. It was a tight game with the winner coming in time added on when Richie Bennett got on the end of a deflected Hallam Hope shot.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

officials

Referee - James Bell
Assistant Referee 1 - Grant Taylor
Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Smith
Fourth Official - Andrew Kitchen
Observer - Mark Brown

Our referee for this game is Mr James Bell. 

He's taken charge of 36 games so far this season and has shown 113 yellows and three reds.

James was with us for our dramatic 2-1 win over Northampton in March 2022. Tobi Sho-Silva gave us the lead, but the Cobblers scored late through Paul Lewis to burst the bubble - or so it seemed. A cool head from Jordan Gibson saw him smash an injury time penalty into the back of the net. Joe Riley was the only United name taken on the day.

He was at Brunton Park in November 2021 for the 1-1 Papa John's draw with Lincoln. Jack Armer scored the goal, and the Blues won on penalties to claim the bonus point. Callum Guy and Jon Mellish were booked for the hosts.

Papa John's Trophy group action brought Mr Bell north again in August 2021 for a goal-filled 3-3 encounter with Hartlepool. Taylor Charters, Manny Mampala and Tristan Abrahams scored the goals, and the Blues eventually won the shoot-out 4-3. Mampala was our only booking of the night.

Mr Bell was the referee for our home game against Leyton Orient in March 2021. The O's nicked it with a late Connor Wilkinson goal, and there were no home names recorded on the day.

He was our official for the away game at Port Vale in October 2020. Jon Mellish scored the winner and Lewis Alessandra was the only name taken on the day.

In the National League last season, he was the man in the middle for the August play-off final between Harrogate Town and Notts County prior to his pormotion to the league list.

tickets

If you have purchased tickets for collection collect, please try to collect these from Brunton Park before 4pm on Friday. 

Prices

Adult £20
Senior 65+ £18
Young Person 17-23 £18
Youth 12-16 £10
Junior 11 & under £5
*Family Junior 11 & under £2.50

*Family Junior tickets – two adults and two juniors for £45, this deal is not available on the day of the game.

Disabled info

Ambulant disabled and wheelchair users pay the relevant price with the carer free of charge. Disabled fans must be in receipt of a DLA or PIP at the higher or middle rate of mobility.

Dates of sale

Date Time
Thu 5 May 10am – 5pm
Fri 6 May 10am - 4pm

+++++++

Methods of purchase:

In person – come to the main ticket office in the Pioneer Stand at the designated time. Ticket sales on home match days will be from the West Stand ticket office. 
 
Phone – ring the ticket office on 0330 094 5930 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
 
Internet – click HERE and follow the online instructions. 

Advertisement block

Match Reports

MATCH REPORT: Bantams 2 - 0 United

Report from the final game of the campaign

7 May 2022

United brought the curtain down on the 2021/22 season with an away trip to Valley Parade.

Dead rubber ... not a chance ... with the Blues taking close to 1,800 fans across the Pennines for the encounter. 

Both teams were safe, that was a given, but planning for the future was high on the agenda for the clubs and the individuals involved.

Lewis Alessandra was in for the injured Joe Riley, making it just one change from last weekend's home game, and Max Kilsby was on the bench following the great news that he'd signed a pro contract just 24-hours earlier. 

First-year scholar Ryan Carr - handy in defence and midfield - was also involved in the 18 with some excellent outings in recent Central League Cup fixtures.

It was an emotional build-up, with the 56 remembered with a minute of silence, but both sets of fans were soon behind their teams in noisy fashion.

Attack was the order of the day, with neither team quite managing to get a clean sight until Walker burst through with nine minutes on the clock. His initial effort was charged down, but the follow-up volley had to be gathered by Howard as it flew his way.

Ellis was on hand to sweep up when Walker came again, and there was defending for the hosts to do at the other end when Patrick twisted his way into the area. He was checked by Songo'o.

Bradford took the lead on 13 minutes when Pereira fed the ball back to Vernam. His cross found Angol on the move and the slightest of touches took it into the bottom corner.

The Blues looked for a response and a cross into the area was half-cleared as far as Ellis. He set himself for the shot but it skewed off the top of his boot and sailed over the bar.

Howard was superb as he saved a 12-yard thunderbolt from Walker after Hendrie had overlapped to deliver, and two more snapshots were stopped at source with the nets under threat.

The lively Jamie Walker missed an absolute sitter on 23 minutes when Hendrie whisked a beauty into the mix. The striker met it at close range but his connection was weak and he watched in agony as it spun past the angle of post and bar.

Gibson tried his luck from distance as the away team battled to assert some authority, but there was a scare for the Cumbrians when Howard missed a punch from a deep delivery. Vernam had the goal at his mercy but the big stopper spread his legs to get a vital touch that sent it past the upright.

A training ground corner routine saw Gibson drill the ball to Dickenson, who was unmarked, 20-yards out. He controlled, but his attempt whipped an inch over the bar. 

Carlisle should have scored when Dennis sprinted through midfield with the ball at his feet. Armer helped out, and his teaser of a cross begged to be knocked in as it skittered across the face of the target. Dennis had continued his movement but he couldn't quite find the finish.

There was controversy ahead of the break when Alessandra worked hard to ride a challenge. He moved into space and pulled the trigger, but Songo'o blocked then fell on the ball. The free kick was awarded to the home team, with the blue contingent livid at the decision.

The half-time whistle brought a minor fracas as the combatants headed for the tunnel in what was a very charged atmosphere.

A slick move down the left flank after the break saw Patrick drop a shoulder before popping it back for Gibson to take over. He went for it but Bass was able to grasp it into his hands on the full.

Another great opportunity presented itself when the blue shirts switched the play from left to right via Dennis and Patrick. Armer was clean through but he hesitated and his volley was cut off at source.

More great play saw one-touch passes bring Whelan forward. He slid it onwards for Gibson to cross but it had just too much on it and the moment drifted away.

The attendance was announced as a fourth tier record at 18,283, with 1,668 having made it into the visiting stands, and everyone was united in a minute-long round of applause in memory of the 56 souls lost 37 years ago as the 56th minute ticked by.

There were huge roars for a United penalty on 69 minutes when Dennis burst through the lines with the ball at his feet. He appeared to be bundled over, but the referee showed no interest.

Salt was rubbed into the wounds when the Bantams broke, with Walker beating the offside trap. He stroked a fierce rasper into the side of the net.

Another Carlisle chance went begging when Roberts floated the ball towards the edge of the area. Dennis jumped high but he couldn't guide his header at the target.

It was almost a great moment for teenager Jack Ellis when he stepped through two challenges before going for glory. His shot was charged down.

Howard saved from Eisa late in the day, and Mellish blocked as the same man aimed for the top corner.

+++++++

Goals

Bradford City - Angol (13), Walker (69)

+++++++

Bookings

Bradford City - Cooke (79)

Carlisle United - Whelan (56), Armer (67), Dickenson (79), Omotoye (86)

+++++++

Teams

Bradford City - Bass, O'Connor (c), Songo'o, Walker (Cooke 77), Gilliead, Foulds, Vernam (Eisa 71), Watt, Angol (Cook 64), Hendrie, Peiera. Subs - O'Donnell (gk), Kelleher, Evans, Sutton

Carlisle United - Howard, Ellis, Whelan, Feeney (c), Mellish, Armer (Roberts 70), Gibson, Alessandra, Dickenson, Patrick, Dennis (Omotoye 81). Subs - Norman, Devine, Simeu, Kilsby, Carr.

+++++++

Match officials

Referee - James Bell
Assistant Referee 1 - Grant Taylor
Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Smith
Fourth Official - Andrew Kitchen
Observer - Mark Brown

+++++++

Attendance - 18,283 (1,668)

Advertisement block

Advertisement block

iFollow Next Match Tickets Account