The Bluebirds were defeated by the Bantams on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Tommy Leigh, Antoni Sarcevic and Josh Neufville secured all three points for Bradford City, whilst Callum Robinson got his first League One goal of the campaign as the hosts were defeated for the first time this season.
Brian Barry-Murphy elected to make three changes from the side that drew to Stockport County last weekend. Ronan Kpakio, Gabriel Osho and David Turnbull returned to the side. New summer signing Osho made his home debut at the back.
Both sides battled for possession throughout the opening moments of play, as Bradford City’s Leigh got the first real chance from a free kick in the third minute. Bradford continued to look for an early opener with both Neufville and striker Will Swan testing the host’s keeper Nathan Trott in the opening ten minutes.
Cian Ashford had City’s first shot in the 15th minute, after an almost perfectly placed pass from captain Rubin Colwill. However, the Bantams took the lead not long afterwards, when Tyreik Wright’s corner found the feet of Leigh, who struck the opener from outside the area, marking the Bluebirds' first goal conceded from open play of the season.
Cardiff City grew into the game after going behind. Some clever passing between Rubin and Kpakio gave the number 44 a chance on goal, but the visitors showed defensive resilience. Shortly after this, Turnbull had a great shot on goal after the ball was left for him from striker Yousef Salech. The shot however was blocked by a sturdy defence.
Shrotly afterwards, midfielder Sarvecic was brought down by Osho in the box, leading to the referee awarding the visitor’s a penalty. He slotted home for the visitors' second.
Salech had a chance to claw one back for the host’s before the break after another moment of brilliance from Colwill. But the ball fell into Bradford City goalkeeper’s gloves, leaving the Bluebirds two behind at the break.
Early into the second half, Neufville fired home the Bantams' third of the game after Bobby Pointon’s low driven pass flew across the hosts' penalty box. Salech had a chance to bring the Bluebirds back into the game shortly before the hour mark, with his well-placed header hitting the post.
Bradford defended their lead for large parts of the second half, with the Bluebirds working to forge new chances. In the 73rd minute, Rubin had a chance of goal, but the ball went over the net. Substitute Isaak Davies pulled off an impressive solo run, leading to a header from Salech which almost gave City their first of the game.
Following a set piece, Robinson pulled one back for City as he slid the ball home before quickly going to collect it from the back of the net, with the Bluebirds off the mark and chasing the established lead with just over 10 minutes of play remaining.
The momentum of the game shifted in City's favour after this, beginning with Rubin passing the ball in the Bantams’ box to Robinson, who almost got his second of the game. New signing Omari Kellyman played a fantastic pass in the box to Robinson in the closing stages. The number 47 squared the ball to Rubin, who almost tapped the ball home for the host’s second.
Despite their efforts to turn the match around, City felt defeat for the first time this season with the final whistle blown in the Welsh capital.
Cardiff City travel away to Turf Moor next to face Premier League side Burnley in the Carabao Cup. Kick-off time is 7:45pm on Tuesday, September 23rd.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-3 BRADFORD CITY
Cardiff City: Trott, Kpakio (Ng 46’), Fish, Osho (J. Colwill 78’), Bagan, Wintle (Robinson 57’), Turnbull, R. Colwill, Ashford (Davies 57’), Salech, Willock (Kellyman 57’). Subs not used: Turner, Chambers.
Bradford City: Walker, Touray, Power, Neufville, Sarcevic (Halliday 90+2’), Baldwin (McIntyre 72’), Wright, Leigh (Metcalfe 46’), Pointon, Swan (Powell 68’), Pennington. Subs not used: Hilton, Cook, Humphrys.