Bradford battle back from behind to avoid shock against Aldershot

Posted Sunday, November 03, 2024 by PA

Bradford came from behind to avoid an FA Cup exit against National League Aldershot with a 3-1 victory.

The Shots, who reached the third round of the competition last season, had led through Jack Barham.

But their League Two hosts struck three times in the second half to make it past round one for the first time since 2020.

Bradford had been made to pay for wasting several good chances in the first half.

Strikers Calum Kavanagh, Vadaine Oliver and Oliver Sanderson all had opportunities to score and Aldershot goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst also saved well from Brad Halliday.

But it was Aldershot who went ahead after 32 minutes as Oliver lost the ball to Josh Barrett and he found Barham to finish convincingly from the edge of the box.

The home side levelled five minutes into the second half, Kavanagh knocking Neill Byrne’s pass into the path of Oliver to tap home.

Tyler Frost should have restored Aldershot’s lead when played through by Aaron Jones but he took it too wide rounding Walker and shot into the side-netting.

Bradford went in front as Jay Benn’s low cross was turned into his own net by Christian Maghoma.

They then made sure of progress with Kavanagh scoring inside the near post.