Grimsby reach Carabao Cup second round by beating Bradford on penalties

Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2024 by PA

Grimsby booked their spot in the Carabao Cup second round after beating fellow League Two side Bradford 9-8 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Grimsby striker Donovan Wilson and Bradford substitute Andy Cook netted in each half during a 1-1 draw in normal time at Blundell Park.

George McEachran then scored the decisive penalty after Neill Byrne missed for Bradford.

It was a hectic start to the first-round tie as Bradford defender Jack Shepherd saw a third-minute header from a corner ruled out for an earlier shove.

The Bantams were then handed their golden opportunity for an opener when they were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute by Premier League referee David Coote.

Kieran Green was deemed the guilty party for a push but the Grimsby captain was handed a reprieve by opposite number Richie Smallwood, who blazed over.

Wilson almost immediately made the Bantams pay with a neat right-footed finish in the 36th minute to make it 1-0 after being teed up by Green.

After going close to finding an earlier equaliser, when he saw one cleared off the line, Cook did net against his former club from close range in the 76th minute to take the match to a penalty shoot-out, which went in Grimsby’s favour.