Hopkin hopes comeback draw can kickstart Bradford’s season

Posted Sunday, December 02, 2018 by PA

A dramatic FA Cup second round comeback can kickstart struggling Bradford’s season according to manager David Hopkin after a 2-2 draw at Peterborough.

Posh had led 2-0 heading into the 84th minute against their fellow League One opponents thanks to goals from Ivan Toney and Siriki Dembele.

But a wonder strike from defender Kelvin Mellor which found the top corner from nearly 30 yards was followed by an 89th minute equaliser from substitute Luca Colville which found its way in from the edge of the area via a deflection off Posh centre-half Rhys Bennett.

The Bantams are bottom of League One, but asked if the comeback can spark their season Hopkin said: “I think it always does.

“Going in at half-time 2-0 down I was disappointed. I challenged the players to make sure we are still in the hat on Monday. This feels like a victory for us and the fans.

“It was a fantastic strike from Kelvin Mellor to beat a goalkeeper of six foot eight. I thought it was special at the time and it gave us momentum.

“I think Bradford fans will turn up in numbers for the replay. By then we will know who we will have in the next round. Peterborough will be favourites but we will have the crowd at home.

“I’ve been delighted with the way we’ve been playing over the last six weeks. And we’ve shown great character to come back today.

“Plymouth on Saturday will be another difficult game – both teams need to take something out of it.”

Toney had opened the scoring in the 29th minute, finishing at the back post from a Marcus Maddison cross, before playing in Dembele in the opening minute of first half injury time to finish precisely across goal.

Those goals appeared to have sealed a fourth visit to the third round in as many eyars for Posh until Mellor and Colville struck late on.

Peterborough manager Steve Evans was disappointed after seeing his side pegged back.

He said: “We can only be disappointed. They’ve had two efforts at goal – one was a wonder strike and the other was a ricochet which beat the goalkeeper.

“We had numerous chances in the first half – we were outstanding in the first half. We were not so fluent in the second half but had numerous overflows.

“The big moment for me is when the assistant gives a free-kick against Maddison when he is clean through on goal – it’s never a free-kick.

“But credit to Bradford as they were down and out. You know you’re going to have to withstand five or six minutes of pressure, but they get the luck of the deflection.

“We didn’t get any luck, it’s hard to take. But 2-0 up we should see it through.

“In the second half we almost wanted to walk the ball into the net and we were punished, but we live to fight another day in 10 days’ time.”