Bradford City Beat Peterborough 2-0 to Reach Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals for First Time Since 2013
Bradford City beat Peterborough United 2-0 at Valley Parade on October 27 to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2013, when they went all the way to Wembley.
The all-League One fourth-round tie was settled by goals from defender Macaulay Gillesphey and midfielder Adam Phillips. Bradford manager Michael Duff had asked his players to be more productive from set-pieces, and they responded in the 13th minute. Callum Connolly whipped in a corner, Peterborough failed to deal with it, and Gillesphey volleyed in from close range at the back post. It was his second goal against Peterborough this season, after he also scored when the sides met in the league in August.
Bradford might have scored again before the break. Reece Welch played a long pass to Jake Beesley, who set up Bobby Pointon, but Peterborough goalkeeper Alex Bass made a fine sprawling save. Peterborough, who were managed by Robbie Savage and were without the suspended Harry Leonard, the competition's top scorer, then came out strongly around half-time.
The visitors had several good chances to level. Bradford goalkeeper Jon McCracken saved twice from Owura Edwards at his near post and then denied Vernon Masara in a one-on-one. Ethan Williams also hit the woodwork, with one of his efforts cannoning off Bradford defender Matthew Pennington and striking the post. Peterborough had 59 per cent of the possession, but Bradford defended well and were more clinical.
Phillips sealed the win in the 67th minute with Bradford's second goal. He also had another effort cleared off the line shortly afterwards.
It is another strong result for Bradford, who are unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions and have kept five successive clean sheets. Earlier in the competition, they knocked out Championship side Burnley on penalties. Their last Carabao Cup quarter-final appearance came in the 2012-13 season, when they famously reached the final as a fourth-tier club.
Bradford will now wait to find out their opponents in the quarter-finals. Peterborough, who are winless in three matches, return their attention to League One.