Topp impresses in City defeat
Bradford City Reserves 0, Leeds United Reserves 1
Table-topping Bradford City, who gave Willy Topp his first run out since being injured playing for the reserves last month, were beaten by a youthful Leeds United side tonight in the TOTESPORT.COM League East.
The plentiful crowd at the Coral Windows Stadium saw an even start to the contest, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances on the opposition goal.
It was the Bantams who created the first real opportunity of the game, however, when a long ball from Jon McLaughlin was helped on its way to Kyle Nix.
His attempted shot just lobbed over Leeds keeper Mathew Edwards' goal via a deflection and out for a corner, which Leeds cleared.
The visitors hit back though with a chance of their own in the 19th minute through Bradley Johnson.
The former Northampton winger got the better of trialist David Ryan and flashed the ball across McLaughlin's goal but, luckily for the Bantams, there was no white shirt to tap the ball home.
In the 23rd minute, Leeds went even closer when Tom Elliott wriggled past two defenders only for him to fire straight at McLaughlin, who gratefully clutched the ball to his crest.
Luke Sharry helped create the next chance of the match, when his floated ball into the box was flicked on by Leon Osborne into the path of Barry Conlon, who instantly hit the ball on the volley, but his shot went narrowly over the bar.
Ryan, eager to impress while on trial from Blackburn, helped create a golden opportunity for Sean Taylforth.
A high cross to the back post could only be flicked by keeper Edwards into the path of Taylforth, whose volley rattled against the post.
The half ended with both teams struggling to create anything more than half-chances and unable to break the deadlock.
In the second half, City gave a welcome return to Topp, the Chilean making his first appearance in Bantams colours since his injury during a reserves' match against Rotherham.
Topp was involved in the first chance of the second half, when Luke O'Brien wrestled free of Leeds youngster Liam Darville to cross for Topp to head straight into the hands of Edwards.
In the 58th minute, Leeds took the lead. United striker Sam Jones picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fired a testing shot towards McLaughlin.
It was too hot for the City keeper, who fumbled the ball across the line and into the net.
After this, the Bantams pushed hard but struggled to break down a stubborn Leeds defence, despite the best efforts of Topp, who was looking bright.
In the 80th minute, City created one their best chances since going behind when Osborne linked up well with Rory Boulding on the edge of the the Leeds area.
Boulding's shot was well placed but Edwards produced a good save down to his left.
There were calls for a penalty in the 90th minute when Boulding appeared to be bundled over by substitute Adam Watson, but referee Davison waved away the appeals.
Bradford pushed for an equaliser right to the end, but it was Leeds United who hung on to claim the spoils and their second win of the campaign.
Bradford City: McLaughlin, Ryan, O'Brien, Sharry, Ainge, Bower, Osborne, K Nix, Conlon, R Boulding, Taylforth. Substitutes: Topp (for Conlon HT), Bleau, O'Hara, Harrison.
Leeds United: Edwards, Darville, Garbutt, Lees, Webb, Milne, Jerome, Hatfield, Elliott, Jones, Johnson. Substitutes: Lund, C Williams, Watson (for Webb 59), Booth (for Elliott 59).
thetelegraphandargus.co.uk