VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 26th APRIL 2025.

  26th April 2025 EFL League 2 Doncaster Rovers 2v1 Bradford City

At the outset of this match, Doncaster led the league table by one point, while Bradford were placed third, four points behind Doncaster's tally. Bradford was expected to be tough opposition to get a result from. All agreed, a draw would be a good result.

Rovers make one of many attacks on Bradfords goal.

In previous matches, Rovers always appeared to start the game slow and cautiously. This time it was different: Rovers players were attacking City with intensity and causing the City defence problems.

Bradford were caught off guard and found themselves penned into their half but did spring fluent attacks on the Doncaster goal. On the half-hour, Rovers gained a corner. From the flick-on header, the centre-forward powered header into the roof of the City net, 1-0.

From that moment, Bradford seemed reluctant to play a free-flowing game and on a few occassions, City players would fall to the pitch if anywhere near Rovers players. This was a time-wasting measure to disrupt Rovers overall dominence of the game so far.

Rovers score 1st goal

Half-time and 1-0 to Doncaster, but for City it would get worse. As the players left the field, the Bradford centre-half had words with the referee. He got himself booked but was intent on getting his point over to the ref and as the City goalkeeper pulled him away, got shown the yellow then red card. Bradford would now play the second-half with 10 men!

Rovers' keeper saves penalty.

Rovers continued with the second-half where they left-off and continued with the pressing play. City were content to try and break the game-play. Near the end of the match, City were awarded a penalty. The crowd held its breath. But thanfully for Rovers, the young goalkeeper on loan from Chelsea, saved the penalty. Rovers then went straight into attack and scored, 2-0! But in stoppage time City pulled a goal back.

Rovers score the 2nd goal.

This would prove not enough for City, while Rovers celebrated the win by going a point clear at the top of the league and ensuring promotion from League 2. They would need to beat Notts County in their final game to win the Championship.

A good support turned out for the match of 12,574, with around 3,000 fans from Bradford.

DONCASTER ROVERS ARE PROMOTED TO EFL DIVISION 1.

RJC

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