Derby County’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy journey came to an end on Tuesday evening after a 1-0 defeat to Bradford City.
A second-half goal from Sam Stubbs settled the tie and saw the Rams exit the competition at the Round of 16 stage.
Key Moments
The visitors had the first shot in anger when Bobby Pointon picked up a loose pass from the back but blazed his effort over from the edge of the box.
Derby’s first chance nearly brought with a goal when Liam Thompson connected with a Louie Sibley cross but his goalbound effort was brilliantly blocked by a Bradford defender.
Joe Ward was inches away from giving the Rams the lead when his free-kick from around 25-yards left goalkeeper Colin Doyle planted but it sailed just wide of the post.
The best chance of the first-half went the way of the visitors when Harry Chapman pounced on a loose pass from Josh Vickers but skipper on the night Sonny Bradley put his body on the line to deflect the effort wide.
With little opportunities to speak of in the first-half, Head Coach Paul Warne opted for a triple change at the break in a bid to up the tempo of the match.
Max Bird, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and captain Conor Hourihane were all introduced with Liam Thompson, Tyrese Fornah and Louie Sibley departing.
The latter of those changes, Hourihane, had the first effort of the second period when he connected with a volley from just inside the area but his shot was closed down well by a couple of Bradford defenders.
It was the visitors that took the lead however with just over an a hour played. A corner was sent in from the left and Sam Stubbs rose highest above everyone to head into the far corner.
Bradford nearly made it two very quickly but Alex Gilliead saw his effort well palmed wide for a corner by Vickers.
Chapman then went close for a second time on the evening when he looked to bend an effort into the bottom corner but a fine save from Vickers denied the Bantams forward.
Vickers was being kept busy and doing brilliantly to keep his team in it. Chapman again went close with an effort but saw his shot saved from close-range and Liam Ridehalgh was there for the follow up but was again denied superbly by Vickers.
The Rams had to find an equaliser from somewhere and nearly did after a mad scramble in the box saw the loose ball fall to substitute Tyreece John-Jules but his effort was heroically blocked by a Bradford defender.
Six minutes of additional time were signalled at the end of the 90 but the Bantams backline remained resolute to bring our Bristol Street Motors Trophy journey to an end.
The Teams
Derby County: Vickers (GK), Wilson (68′ John-Jules), Bradley (C), Barkhuizen, Collins, Thompson (46′ Mendez-Laing), Sibley (46′ Bird), Elder (68′ Cashin), Fornah (46′ Hourihane), Ward, Nelson.
Substitutes not used: Wildsmith (GK), Brown.
Bradford City: Doyle (GK), Ridehalgh, Taylor, Smallwood (C), Gilliead, Stubbs, Oliver (84′ Cook), Chapman (84′ Oduor), Pointon (84′ Osadebe), McDonald (88′ Platt), Tomkinson.
Substitutes not used: Lewis (GK), Smith, Derbyshire.
What’s Next Up?
The Rams return to Sky Bet League One action on Monday evening when Burton Albion make the short trip to Pride Park (8pm kick-off).
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
