Bradford City suffered their inaugural home league loss of the season this afternoon, succumbing 3-1 to Walsall.
After just over 20 minutes, Mark Hughes’ team seized the lead. However, the Saddlers regrouped and managed to secure all three points at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Despite the damp and blustery conditions at Valley Parade, City initiated proceedings with vigor.
In the 21st minute, Rayhaan Tulloch was sent clear on goal by Jamie Walker during a City counterattack. Joe Riley had no recourse but to foul Tulloch, resulting in a penalty and affording the Bantams an opportunity to take the lead.
Following a stellar performance in his previous league match, Andy Cook confidently dispatched the penalty past Owen Evans, propelling Hughes’ team into the lead.
Regrettably, the advantage was short-lived. In the 26th minute, Liam Gordon cut inside and slotted a precise shot past Harry Lewis, equalising from the edge of the area.
City pressed for a response, but in the dying moments of the first half, Aramide Oteh tapped in from a Walsall corner, sending the visitors into the break with a 2-1 lead.
In the 56th minute, it was yet another corner that led to City’s undoing, as Freddie Draper emphatically headed the ball past Lewis, extending Walsall’s lead to 3-1.
Walsall maintained control of the game and returned to the Midlands with the coveted three points.
