Bradford progressed into the third round of the League Cup this evening courtesy of a dramatic victory over Yorkshire rivals Leeds United at Valley Parade.
The visitors were forced to play more than an hour with 10 men as Luke Murphy was given his marching orders as a result of two yellow cards in the first half.
However, it was Leeds who broke the deadlock with just eight minutes remaining as Matt Smith glanced David Norris's delivery into the far corner.
The drama was only just beginning, though, as Billy Knott thundered the hosts level before James Hanson completed the turnaround for Bradford less than four minutes after they had fallen behind.
You can read how an enthralling derby unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Yorkshire derby between Bradford City and Leeds United in the second round of the League Cup. Both sides have experienced contrasting starts to the new season and, despite a division separating the two rivals, we should be in for a good, even encounter here tonight. First things first, let's take a look at the two lineups...
BRADFORD STARTING XI: Williams; Darby, McArdle, Sheehan, Meredith; Liddle, Knott, Kennedy, Clarke; McLean, Hanson
BRADFORD SUBS: Urwin, Dolan, Yeates, Shariff, Routis, McBurnie, Morais
LEEDS STARTING XI: Taylor; Wootton, Pearce, Cooper, Warnock; Tonge, Murphy, Bianchi, Norris; Smith, Sharp
LEEDS SUBS: Silvestri, C Taylor, Cook, Poleon, Antenucci, Ajose, Benedicic
What can we make of those teams, then? Well, starting with the hosts, they have made four changes to the side that lost to Peterborough at the weekend, with Williams, Meredith, Clarke and McLean all coming in. Three of those are enforced changes, with Pickford and Bennett unavailable due to conditions of their loan and Davies having broken his arm on Saturday. Morais is the other man to make way from the weekend.
As for Leeds, they have made five changes of their own as they look to bounce back from defeat to Watford on Saturday. They have a number of injury worries and two players suspended, who Hockaday's hand has been forced to some extent. Taylor, Wootton, Cooper, Norris and Smith are the men to come in for the visitors tonight, replacing Silvestri, Byram, Bellusci, Austin and Antenucci.
Bradford will come into this match with mixed emotions having fallen to their first defeat of the campaign at the weekend. On the whole, Phil Parkinson will be pleased with how his side have started the season, with wins over Coventry and Crawley already under their belts, but a home defeat will always be disappointing, so the Bantams will need to bounce back tonight.
In truth, though, Parkinson will not be too disheartened by the defeat to Peterborough, who have started the season very well and now sit second in the table. Bradford themselves are eighth at this early stage of the campaign, and Parkinson will be hopeful that his side can mount a playoff push this season having only come up from League Two the season before last. Whether that objective takes an focus off their cup duties remains to be seen, but there is little doubt that the league will be the priority for the Bantams.
Bradford have, of course, enjoyed great success in this competition recently, going all the way to the final in the 2012-13 season. They ended up being thrashed 5-0 at Wembley by Swansea, but their run to the final will go down as one of the finest moments in the clubs history. They beat the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wigan along the way, so will not be daunted at the prospect of facing Leeds at home tonight.
That run to the final was very much an anomaly, however. It is the only time that they have progressed past the second round since the 2001-02 season, while last term they were dumped out at the first hurdle by Huddersfield Town. They have at least got further than that this time around, but if they are to make it into the third round this evening then they will need another shock result.
The pressure, then, is off the hosts to a certain extent. However, the same can certainly not be said for Leeds, who have made a poor start to the campaign. Three defeats from their opening four league games is not the start Massimo Cellino would have had in mind to his first campaign as owner of the club, but things do appear as if they may get worse before they get better. Their last outing was rather shambolic as they were comfortably beaten 4-1 by Watford while also having two men sent off.
So things on the pitch are not going great for the club and, in a familiar story, matters off it also seem to be up in the air. Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Cellino appointed Hockaday, who had previously been sacked by Conference side Forest Green for not living up to expectations, but it still came as something of a surprise when news filtered through that the Italian owner was ready to sack his new manager after just five games. He has since performance a U-turn on that decision, but that temporary lack of faith must surely still be in the back of Hockaday's mind. A defeat tonight could once again force a Cellino rethink.
Leeds made it into this round courtesy of a win over Accrington Stanley earlier this month, but it wasn't a comfortable victory. The League Two side scored late on and were pushing for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Doukara's brace - his first goals in English football - were enough to see Leeds through. Doukara is unavailable this evening, however, so Leeds will need to find someone else to be a match winner tonight.
Leeds do have a decent record in this competition, though, having only been knocked out in the second round once in the last six seasons. They have rarely gone much further than the third, it must be said, but they usually find a way over this hurdle. Tonight's match will not be an easy one for them, however, It was very much a potential banana skin for Hockaday's side, and the fact that it is a Yorkshire derby could add even more tension to the visiting players.
They may also be concern in the Leeds camp about how they have fared away from home so far this season. They have only been on the road twice so far, but both games have resulted in comfortable defeats. On the opening day of the league season they slumped to a loss at Millwall, while this past weekend was the capitulation against Watford at Vicarage Road. In two away matches this season, Leeds have conceded six goals and scored just once.
PREDICTION: We're just under five minutes from kickoff at Valley Parade, which means that it is about time I made my prediction! I expect this one to be a very close match, despite the gap between the sides in the league ladder. Bradford are doing well in League One and have home advantage, while Leeds are just outside the relegation zone in the Championship. The League Cup has already thrown up some shock this season, and I think we could be in line for another tonight. I'm going for a 2-1 win for the hosts.
For that to happen, Bradford will need to break a long-standing duck against their Yorkshire rivals. They have not beaten Leeds since September 1986, losing nine and drawing five of their 14 meetings since then. The last time they met was in the first round of this competition in 2011, when Leeds won 3-2 at Elland Road. Leeds also won the only other League Cup meeting between these two sides, progressing into the fourth round at Bradford's expense in 1998.
Right, we're all set for kickoff now! Who will progress into the third round and potentially set up a clash with the big boys of English football? We will have our answer in either 90 or 120 minutes! Remember, a draw means extra time and penalties tonight, rather than a replay.
KICKOFF: Here we go then! Leeds get us underway a little later than scheduled as they look to avoid a cup upset and potentially save Dave Hockaday's job here.
Smith has been brought in to provide a physical and aerial threat up front for Leeds, and he shows signs of that straight away by getting his head to an early cross. He can't get enough on it to trouble the keeper, but that may be a tactic the visitors employ a fair amount tonight.
The fans of both sides are in very good voice in the opening stages of this match, and that is no surprise considering it is a Yorkshire derby. Both teams have made a solid start, but no chances thus far.
Half a chance for Leeds as Smith once again causes problems with his height. This time it is from a corner as the striker climbs much higher than anyone else in the box, only to put his header well off target.
YELLOW CARD! Madness from Murphy as he throws himself into a heavy challenge having lost control of the ball with a poor first touch. The Bradford players want a red card and, in truth, you wouldn't argue against one. However, the ref is lenient and only shows him a yellow.
Liddle jogs back onto the field having been on the end of that challenge. It could have been a lot worse for him had his leg been stuck in the turf, but it appears that he has got away with just a painful knock.
CHANCE! Great football from Leeds as they up the tempo and play some nice one-touch passes just outside the Bradford box. It eventually falls to Warnock on the left side of the box, and his powerful effort towards the top corner whizzes just wide. Much better from the visitors.
PENALTY SHOUT! Bradford want a penalty as Meredith comes down the left flank and exchanges passes with Hanson. His eventual cross does strike the arm of Pearce, but he was too close to be able to give a penalty. Good decision from the referee.
Worrying signs for the hosts here as McLean goes down off the ball and needs treatment. I'm not quite sure what happened to him, but there was no obvious collision that may have injured the attacker. He should be able to continue, but that is an issue Parkinson will keep a close eye on.
Taylor is forced to tip a dangerous cross over his own crossbar for a corner, but the hosts can't make anything from the subsequent delivery. They will want to make more of those set pieces with the likes of Hansen waiting in the middle.
CHANCE! This time Bradford do make more of a set piece, and they really should be ahead because of it. It is a fabulous ball in from Sheehan, curling the ball behind the defence and to McLean at the back post. The attacker is the wrong side of his man and gets his head to the ball, but puts it just the wrong side of the post. Big chance.
Another dangerous ball arrives from Sheehan, but this time Leeds deal with it. It was Wootton who made the clearance this time around, ensuring that Bradford couldn't conjure up a repeat of their chance just moments before.
Better from Leeds as their two strikers link up well. A diagonal ball arrives to Smith, who knocks the ball down nicely for Sharp inside the box. He tries to turn Sheehan, but the makeshift Bradford defender does well to keep his body in the way and shepherd the ball to safety.
UPDATE: There are a few other games going on in the League Cup tonight, but the only goal so far has come at the Britannia Stadium, where Jonathan Walters has given Stoke the lead against Portsmouth.
Smith really is proving to be a handful in the air. Yet again he beats his marker to nod the ball down inside the box, but Sharp can't react in time to get there. Smith has been dominant in the aerial battles so far.
We're 25 minutes into this one now and, although Bradford have carved out the best chance, Leeds have been the better team so far. They may not be happy about how little they have created in terms of goalscoring opportunities, but in terms of general play Hockaday will be pretty pleased with how things have gone so far.
This time it is Bradford's turn to threaten with a couple of deliveries into the box. First Kennedy swings one in from the right which is too long for Hansen, and then the striker is just unable to get his head to an even better Meredith cross.
Decent spell from Bradford as they keep the ball nicely for a good length of time. Meredith in particular is getting forward down the left flank whenever he can, and he has put some dangerous deliveries into the box as well.
RED CARD! Luke Murphy (Leeds)
Oh this is even crazier from Murphy! Having been fortunate to get away with a yellow card for a rash challenge earlier in the match, Murphy earns himself a second yellow for a stupid foul on Meredith. The ball had once again got away from the midfielder, who launched himself into the challenge and got nowhere near the ball. There is no question about it being a red card, and that puts Leeds in a really tough situation here.
It is yet another case of ill-discipline from Leeds, who have now picked up four red cards in less than five and a half games this season. They had two men sent off on Saturday and have made it three in the space of five days here tonight. Stupidity from Murphy, who could have cost his side the match here. Who knows, it could also be enough to cost Hockaday his job if Leeds don't win this one.
Bradford must be really optimistic about their chances in this one now. They were getting nicely into the match before that red card and now have a numerical advantage to exploit as well. They are probably now favourites to go on and win this one.
Leeds' best course of action now appears to be aiming for Smith with aerial balls forward and hoping that Sharp can link up with the big man. Even that will be tougher for the visitors now, however, as one of those strikers will need to drop deeper to make up for their absent midfielder.
Bradford again threaten from a wide area as McLean reached the byline before drilling a low ball right across the face of goal. No-one took the gamble to get on the end of it, however, and it rolled all the way through before Leeds were able to get it clear from a second cross.
Bradford are very much on top right now and, if you didn't know otherwise, you'd say the hosts were the Championship side here. They are dictating the tempo of the game right now and beginning to look increasingly dangerous.
Indeed, since Leeds were reduced to 10 men, Bradford have enjoyed almost 70% of the possession. The visitors just can't get a foothold in the match right now, and that is largely down to Murphy's sending off. Hockaday has some work to do at the break, that's for sure.
CLOSE! Almost a fine goal for the hosts as Hansen flicks the ball on for Kennedy bombing down the right. He takes the effort first time on the volley while sliding and almost catches Taylor out at the near post, but it goes into the side-netting.
SAVE! There will be a minimum of four minutes added time at the end of this first half. As that is announced, Liddle lets fly with an effort from range, but it is straight at the keeper. Still, that is our first shot on target tonight.
YELLOW CARD! Another card for Leeds as Liam Cooper goes into the box for a foul on McLean, who had turned him and was threatening to race clear.
HALF TIME: Bradford City 0-0 Leeds United
The referee brings an end to the first half, and we are still goalless at Valley Parade in this Yorkshire derby. That only tells half of the story, however, as Leeds have once again had a man sent off, while the hosts have grown into the match and were looking more likely to score towards the end of that half. We are nicely set up for the second half.
The big talking point of the first half was, of course, the red card, but leeds can have no complaints. Murphy was fortunate not to be sent off for an earlier challenge before finally being given his marching orders for a second rash challenge that earned him his second yellow card. It was lunacy from the midfielder, who had no chance of getting to the ball on either occasion, and he only has himself to blame for the red. He has left his side in a very tricky situation now.
Being forced to play with a numerical disadvantage is become far too common for Leeds, who have now had four men sent off in their five and a half matches this season. They were reduced to 10 late in the first round of this competition against Accrington, while on Saturday they finished the match with nine men as they slumped to a 4-1 loss to Watford. It is something Hockaday will be particularly frustrated by as he has enough problems on his plate without having to account for his players' stupidity.
The red card did have a big impact on the match, with Leeds having been the better team before being reduced to 10 men. Bradford had started to ease their way into the game just before Murphy was dismissed, but they took complete control after the red card and Leeds struggled to create anything in an attacking sense. The hosts have created the best chance of the match, with McLean stealing in at the back post, but they will be upset that they couldn't make more of their time on top in that first half.
As for Leeds, something needs to change if they are to get themselves back into this match. They drifted out of the game following the red card and may need to take the risk of leaving two up front and sacrificing a man in midfield. Their best moments have come when Matt Smith got his head to high balls in and around the box, and he needs something like Sharp there to make the most of his knockdowns.
Bradford will want to start the second half as they finished the first, just with more of a threat in the final third. The onus is on the hosts to get at Leeds and make the most of their man advantage, and if they can do that then they will get a huge - and surprising - win over their Yorkshire rivals.
KICKOFF: Bradford get us underway for this second half as they look to complete the job here and progress to the third round of the League Cup. Whatever happens, we will have a result tonight, but will it be in normal time or could we need an extra 30 minutes and penalties?
Again Leeds' bright moment comes from a Smith header. He knocks the ball down for Norris, but it is just a yard or so in front of the midfielder, forcing him wide. The ball eventually arrives back in the middle, but the keeper comes to claim this time.
This has been a much improved Leeds performance in the opening five minutes of this second half as they push forward more than they had been doing at the end of the first half. They are no longer sitting deep and just looking to contain their hosts.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Bradford to break the deadlock! Again it comes from the left flank as Meredith surges forward once more before delivering a fine ball into the box. It is dreadful defending from Leeds as Kennedy steal in unmarked, but he bundles a half-volley well wide from close range. He simply had to score there!
Leeds started the half brightly, but Bradford have responded well in the last few minutes. They are beginning to threaten more as they look to press home their man advantage.
It may be a case of being patient for Bradford here, trying to tire Leeds out before really putting the pressure on later. However, that is a slightly risky tactic as Leeds could grab a goal from a set piece, no matter how fatigued they are.
The hosts will not be panicking just yet, however. They still have half an hour of normal time remaining and, if that doesn't prove to be long enough, then extra time is also in store tonight. That will only aid Bradford as Leeds would certainly start to tire if they had to play a further 30 minutes with a man less.
Interestingly, Leeds have had more of the ball in this second half so far. Hockaday will be very happy with that considering they are down to 10 men, and he will feel that his side are still very much in this one. Despite Bradford having an extra man, this has been an even second period so far.
Bradford have had an extra man for half an hour now, but the only chance they have been able to create in that time was Kennedy's earlier in this second half. Granted, that really should have been enough for the hosts to take the lead, but Bradford will have wanted to create more in that time.
Handbags here as Sharp backs into McArdle, making no attempt to get the ball. Sharp gives the Bradford defender a bit more after as well, prompting an angry reaction from McArdle. Phil Parkinson also got involved in the fracas, but the referee shows some common sense by keeping his cards in his pocket.
In truth, Leeds' best chance here may be to wind Bradford up a bit. If they can get one of the hosts' players to lose their temper then that could galvanise the whole team, and possibly even make it 10 on 10.
This is concerning for Leeds. Warnock goes down off the ball having seemingly felt a twinge in his hamstring, and injuries like that are rarely ones you can continue with. Hockaday will hope that it is not serious, but however bad it is he is unlikely to risk the left-back if anything seems untoward.
Warnock seems to have recovered from that injury scare, which suggests that it wasn't a hamstring strain. Very good news for the visitors.
CHANCE! Massive chance for the hosts to break the deadlock once again! McLean fed the ball in for Clarke, who takes a touch before trying to lift a cheeky effort over Taylor. However, the Leeds keeper stays big and makes a vital stop to deny the attacker from close range. Big, big chance spurned for Bradford that.
The hosts really need to start putting these chances away. They haven't exactly cut this Leeds defence up tonight, but they have created three openings that you would expect them to score. Every time they miss, Leeds' belief will grow, and as long as it is 0-0 then this is anyone's game. Bradford will kick themselves if they let this one slip, though.
BRADFORD SUB: The first change of the night for Bradford as Oliver McBurnie comes on for McLean, who has had a decent match tonight.
UPDATE: Bradford are looking to spring an upset here, and another side who are looking to surprise a few tonight are Burton Albion. Having stunned Wigan in the first round they are on course for another famous result as they have just taken the lead against Premier League side QPR.
OFF THE LINE! Bradford are getting closer! This would be a very messy goal as a deflected cross almost sneaks all the way through. A throng of bodies are competing for the ball at the front post and, unsighted, Taylor lets it past him. It is rolling towards goal, but Pearce reacts in time to hook it off the line.
UPDATE: One side who look like avoiding an upset are Sunderland, who have just taken the lead against Birmingham courtesy of a Jordi Gomez strike.
SAVE! Bradford are really piling the pressure on now. A corner is only cleared as far as Knott on the edge of the box, but his scuffed and deflected effort is held by Taylor, who this time located the ball through a mass of bodies.
Leeds are beginning to tire now, and that is showing in the way the match is going. The visitors do not have the energy to put Bradford under as much pressure, nor to track all of their runs, and as such the hosts are starting to dominate this one.
Kennedy is down and hurt here having been on the wrong end of a heavy challenge from Sharp. He receives lengthy treatment on the field before walking slowly off, but it looks like he may be alright to continue here.
GOAL! Bradford 0-1 Leeds (Matt Smith)
Unbelievable scenes at Valley Parade as 10-man Leeds break the deadlock having been on the back foot for the last 10 minutes or so! It is the first time they have even got out of their own half for a while, but they take full advantage as Smith glances Norris clipped cross into the far corner. It is against the run of play, but Hockaday won't care one bit.
SAVE! Bradford almost hit back straight away as Clarke lets fly from range, but Taylor makes a fine save to push it wide.
GOAL! Bradford 1-1 Leeds (Billy Knott)
Oh my word, what a response from Bradford. There is nothing Taylor can do about this one! From the corner which came as a result of his fine save from Clarke, the ball is only cleared as far as Knott, who hammers a magnificent half volley into the top corner. Incredible goal from the midfielder, what a strike!
GOAL! Bradford 2-1 Leeds (James Hanson)
Incredible scenes here! Less than four minutes after Leeds broke the deadlock, Bradford have completed the turnaround and now lead in the Yorkshire derby! It is Hanson who gets the goal, nodding a cross from the left between the legs of the keeper. Taylor should have done a lot better, but the Bradford fans aren't worried about that right now! They thought they were on the verge of a smash-and-grab defeat, but suddenly they find themselves ahead!
Kick off is delayed after that goal as the police and stewards get involved to deal with fans encroaching onto the field. They want the advertising hoardings back in place before they restart the match, which could give Leeds some extra time to collect themselves after an incredible five-minute spell.
LEEDS SUB: During this stoppage, Leeds make a change as Dominic Poleon comes on to replace Norris.
We're finally back underway here, and the fourth official indicates a minimum of NINE minutes added time. Still plenty of time for Leeds, then, but they must be exhausted already.
Physically Leeds must be struggling, but also mentally they will find to hard to pick themselves back up before the end of this match. They went wild having taken the lead, but less than four minutes later they were behind - it must be so hard to recover from that.
CHANCE! Big chance for Leeds to add another twist to this incredible match. The ball is hoisted into the area and Smith takes it down on his chest before slicing a volley. Two white shirts are among those looking to get to the ball as it bounces towards goal and it is Poleon who wins the race, only to poke it wide. He went down under the keeper's challenge as the ball was rolling out, but the ref was right to wave away the penalty claims.
BRADFORD SUB: A late change from the hosts as they look to wind down the clock here. Off comes Billy Knott, who scored that superb equaliser, and on goes Matt Dolan.
YELLOW CARD! Late chance here for Leeds as Meredith concedes a free kick in a good crossing position. Clarke goes into the book for kicking the ball away, but that is the least of Bradford's worries right now...
CHANCE! Oh, with 10 seconds of the match remaining Leeds should be level! The ball is a good one and Smith, as he has done all night, climbs highest to win the header. He really should at least find the target, but he puts it over the top. That should be that for Leeds.
FULL TIME: Bradford City 2-1 Leeds United
Phew! What an incredible derby that was, and what a finish we had to it as well. Bradford are the side who emerge with the bragging rights, as well as that all-important place in the second round of the League Cup courtesy of a 2-1 win over Leeds, who were forced to play for more than an hour with 10 men.
We had to wait until the 82nd minute for the first goal of the game, but once the deadlock was broken the floodgates really opened. Leeds opened the scoring through Matt Smith's glancing header against the run of play, but they were ahead for less than two minutes as Billy Knott hammered his side back level with a magnificent strike from the edge of the box. Again it took less than two minutes for the hosts to find a second, this time James Hansen nodding an effort through the legs of the keeper to cap off an incredible spell of three goals in less than four minutes.
There were no goals in the first half, but another key moment in the match occurred when Luke Murphy was sent off for the visitors. The Leeds midfielder launched himself into one challenge after just eight minutes and was fortunate to get away with just a yellow then, but that didn't stop him committing another poor challenge on Meredith just after the half-hour mark to receive his second booking and his marching orders. It was madness from Murphy, who picked up Leeds' fourth red card in the space of six games.
All in all, you'd have to say that Bradford deserve their victory tonight. Leeds' chances were severely hampered by that red card, and that may be the most frustrating thing for Hockaday. Murphy did not need to go in for either challenge, and that has ultimately cost his side the match. It could have even bigger implications should Cellino see this as the final straw and sack Hockaday, which he was so close to doing this weekend. It may not have been his fault that Murphy got sent off, but a loss to a local rival who plays in the division below is certainly not going to strengthen Hockaday's position.
Right, that is all we have time for tonight! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a thoroughly entertaining Yorkshire derby between Bradford City and Leeds United. It is the Bantams who progress into the third round of the League Cup having netted a late quickfire double to topple 10-man Leeds, who had only broken the deadlock less than two minutes before. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction. From me, though, it is goodbye and good night!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
