Hopkin praises duo after Bradford end wait for win

Posted Sunday, November 25, 2018 by PA

Head coach David Hopkin praised recent signings Karl Henry and Paul Caddis as bottom club Bradford ended a run of seven League One matches without a win with a 2-0 victory over Oxford in front a bumper 19,084 crowd at Valley Parade.

Both goals were scored in a three minute spell midway through the first half through David Ball and Jack Payne.

The first came after 25 minutes when Payne’s left wing corner was headed on by Eoin Doyle and Ball scored with a close range header.

Keeper Simon Eastwood got a hand to the ball but could not stop it going into the net.

The second was scored in the 28th minute when Doyle’s shot was blocked as far as Lewis O’Brien and he squared the ball to Payne, who scored from the edge of the six yard area.

The only downside for Bradford was the sending off of defender Nat Knight-Percival in the 84th minute for a foul of substitute Sam Smith.

Hopkin said: “It was important we started on the front foot and get the crowd behind us. Credit to the fans – the place electric for the whole 90 minutes – and Paul and Karl helped the younger players to manage that situation well. They stood up to the mark because they are both quality footballers.

“Paul did exceptionally well today. He is good at one to one defending and doesn’t get exposed. Credit also to Karl. He hasn’t played since last season. He is 36, but he is still fit for 90 minutes and both of them helped us to manage the game very well.”

Bradford stay bottom despite the win, but Hopkin said: “Defensively we are getting better and better and we are more dangerous in the box.

“I am delighted with the performance and delighted with the result. It was important to win today. We scored two goals very close to each other and after we managed the game superbly.”

Oxford went into the match on a nine match unbeaten run and manager Karl Robinson was left frustrated after his side’s defeat.

He said: “It is disappointing, frustrating and it is hurting. The best team lost today.

“The result doesn’t reflect the game. We should have been three or four goals up before Bradford scored, but those two goals made it into a different game.

“Also we should have had a penalty a minute before halftime.

“We stay outside the bottom four but we have lost ground.”