Reserve Team Match Report: Morecambe 0-4 Bradford City
Morecambe reserves entertained Bradford City’s second string in a Final Third Development League Cup game on a sunny autumnal afternoon at the Globe Arena.
Goals from Nathan Clarke, Luke James and a brace from Steve Davies saw the visitors claim victory against a young Shrimps’ side which featured a number of players from the club’s academy.
The first major action of note happened in the eighth minute when Bradford’s Steven Davies cut inside and drove a shot towards goal which was saved by Niall Maher in the Morecambe goal. The visitors took the lead soon after when Nathan Clarke finally smashed the ball into the back of the net from a scramble in the penalty area after the first couple of attempts had been well saved by the Morecambe keeper.
Bradford had several chances to double their lead, Davies couldn’t quite connect cleanly with a Mottley-Henry cross and headed the ball wide while a McMahon free kick in a dangerous position was easily gathered by Maher.
The Bantams second goal did come just after the half hour mark when the ball found its way into the back of the net from a corner courtesy of a Steve Davies header.
Morecambe found themselves under the cosh for long periods but defended well throughout with Maher making several good saves.
The Shrimps’ came out for the second half in a change of strip and started brightly before being caught on the counter attack in the 49th minute, Davies driving through and firing a powerful shot past Maher to claim his second of the game.
Ellis Hudson nearly made it four shortly after, dribbling through the Morecambe defence before firing his shot wide. Davies was put through on goal for a chance to claim his hat-trick but put the ball wide under pressure.
Substitute Shay Finney fired wide for Morecambe but it was the visitors who had the large share of the chances. Luke James had a shot blocked by Maher from an acute angle but the hosts did enjoy more possession as the half wore on with Charlie Bailey trying to dictate the tempo of the game.
James gave Bradford their fourth as the game drew to a close, poking the ball into the corner of the net from a rebound after his initial shot was blocked before the final whistle sounded to round off a tough afternoon for Stewart Drummond’s side against much more experienced opposition.
Morecambe: Maher, Cowley, Tyrer (Jenkinson 46), Borlase, Williams, Homson-Smith (Yawson 68), Bowden (Finney 68), Bailey, Bondswell, Jordan, Tomlinson (Docherty 46).
Subs not used: McDonald.
Bradford City: Cracknell, McMahon, Clarke, Routis, Leigh, Mottley-Henry, Wright, Knott (McBurnie 73), Hudson (Cissa 81), Davies (Lewis 75), James.
Subs not used: Webb-Foster, Omolokun.