WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)
TYLER MILLER…6.5.
Wasn’t tested extensively but his positioning was good and he dealt with most things in an unfussy way, comfortable joining in with the possession game at the back.
CYRUS CHRISTIE…7.5.
Showed a few streaks of adventure in the first half and whipped in one superb free kick which should have been converted by Taylor.
WILL FORRESTER…7.
Looked happier on the right side of the central pair and mopped up a few crosses early on when Richards was in full flow.
GEORGE JOHNSTON…7.
Captain for the night and went about his business in an unfussy way. Didn’t let Humphrys – or anyone else – get much of a look in.
RICHARD TAYLOR…6.5.
Had the early chance and combined pretty well with Cissoko down the left. Defensively, still needs to sharpen a touch, but getting there.
XAVIER SIMONS…7.5.
Looked like he was trying to get the Luton red card out of his system. Worked hard, always looked positive on the ball and dominated the middle third.
ETHAN ERHAHON…7.
Very encouraging return from injury for the Scot who, like Simons, just seemed to be demanding the ball and looking forward.
IBRAHIM CISSOKO…8.
Two superb finishes, a hand in the third goal and a miss we’ll just all ignore. His trickery on the ball is intoxicating when it’s working. Great fun.
JOHN MCATEE…7.
Such a shame he was forced off injured as he had been one of the best performers of the first half. Fingers crossed he is back in action soon.
MARCUS FORSS…8.
Seemed to be involved in everything Wanderers were doing and never gave the Bradford defenders a moment’s peace. Finished off a fine team move for the third.
SAM DALBY…6.5.
All that was missing was a goal. Loads of hard work, kept going even when it wasn’t going his way, but the big man should have been on the scoreboard.
Subs: Randall 7, 37 (for McAtee) – Most encouraging performance for some time.
Conway 7, 64 (for Johnston) – Stepped things up on the left.
Sheehan 7, 64 (for Erhahon) – Didn’t put a foot wrong.
Morley 78 (for Simons) – Was sniffing out a goalscoring chance at the end.
Burstow 78 (for Forss) – Played on the right and looked sharp.
Not used: Sharman-Lowe, Dacres-Cogley.
Bradford City (3-4-2-1): Walker: Byrne, J Wright, Touray; Lapslie, Leigh, Power, Richards; Metcalfe, Pointon; Humphrys.
Subs: Cook 46 (for Humphrys), Neufville 46 (for Richards), Baldwin 60 (for Wright), McIntyre 74 (for Lapslie), Swan 74 (for Power).
Not used: Hilton, Neufville, Cook, Sarcevic, McIntyre, Baldwin, Swan.
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: David Rock 7/10 – Seemed to have left his yellow cards at home in the first hour but eventually cracked down on some of the Bradford frustrations. Nice and unfussy, otherwise, so no complaints.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Ibrahim Cissoko
Those dancing feet are so enjoyable to watch in this sort of mood. Made Bradford pay for every gap on the left and had his marker kicking at fresh air for most of the night. Two very tidy finishes will do his confidence the world of good. Watch out Swindon.
MOAN OF THE MATCH – This could have been any score you like at the end. Bradford had completely given up at 3-0 down and Bolton created a few chances they could have punished. Oh, to get Joel Randall and Sam Dalby another goal.
MAGIC MOMENT – All of Bolton’s goals on the night were well crafted but the third was a work of art. One touch football down the left, cutting a swathe into the Bradford box, Dalby laying off to Forss to finish.
ATMOSPHERE – As ever with the Vertu Trophy, it’s a sad sight. There were 400 Bradford fans attempting to have fun but the Bolton contingent enjoyed what they saw, even if the volume rarely gave that away.
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