Match report

Bradford Secures Crucial Win Over Port Vale in League One Clash

Bradford
Bradford
1–0
FT
Port Vale
Port Vale
Dec 29, 2025

In a hard-fought encounter at Valley Parade, Bradford emerged victorious over Port Vale, clinching a crucial 1-0 win in the League One showdown. The result was largely thanks to J. Metcalfe's goal in the 67th minute, which proved decisive despite Port Vale’s tenacious defense.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Bradford 1–0 Port Vale
  • • Goal scorer: J. Metcalfe (Bradford) at 67'
  • • Assist provider: Max Power (Bradford)
  • • Yellow cards to Kyle John, Jaheim Headley, and J. Stockley from Port Vale in the first half
  • • Curtis Tilt received a yellow card for Bradford at 54'

Lineups

Bradford

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 S. Walker (G)
  • 4 J. Wright (D)
  • 26 C. Tilt (D)
  • 18 C. Kelly (D)
  • 2 B. Halliday (M)
  • 6 M. Power (M)
  • 21 J. Metcalfe
  • 3 I. Touray (M)
  • 10 A. Sarcevic (F)
  • 17 T. Wright (F)
  • 11 S. Humphrys (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 J. Hilton
  • 5 N. Byrne
  • 14 T. McIntyre
  • 20 T. Leigh
  • 8 C. Kavanagh
  • 7 J. Neufville
  • 24 W. Swan

Port Vale

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 13 B. Amos (G)
  • 2 M. Clark (D)
  • 24 Kyle John (D)
  • 4 B. Heneghan (D)
  • 25 C. Humphreys (D)
  • 3 J. Headley (D)
  • 18 R. Croasdale (M)
  • 7 G. Byers (M)
  • 26 J. Shipley (M)
  • 9 J. Stockley (F)
  • 44 D. Cole (F)

Substitutes

  • 46 J. Gauci
  • 11 R. Curtis
  • 12 R. Walters
  • 19 B. Waine
  • 22 J. Debrah
  • 33 G. Hall
  • 36 M. Faal

Timeline

  1. Port Vale
    12' Port Vale Card · Yellow Card
    Kyle John

    Foul

  2. Port Vale
    14' Port Vale Card · Yellow Card
    Jaheim Headley

    Foul

  3. Port Vale
    49' Port Vale Card · Yellow Card
    J. Stockley

    Foul

  4. Bradford
    54' Bradford Card · Yellow Card
    Curtis Tilt

    Foul

  5. Bradford
    67' Bradford Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Metcalfe · Assist: Max Power
  6. Port Vale
    77' Port Vale subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Stockley · On: M. Faal
  7. Port Vale
    78' Port Vale subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Shipley · On: G. Hall
  8. Port Vale
    88' Port Vale subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Kyle John · On: R. Curtis
  9. Bradford
    90'+5 Bradford Card · Yellow Card
    A. Sarcevic

    Argument

  10. Bradford
    90'+11 Bradford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Wright · On: T. McIntyre

Match Stats

Stat Bradford Port Vale
Fouls 6 12
Pass Accuracy 62% 52%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 7
Corners 11 3
Total Passes 375 306
Yellow Cards 3 3
Blocked Shots 9 2
Shots on Target 2 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 4
Possession 56% 44%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 234 158
Shots Inside Box 8 4
Saves 1 0
Shots Outside Box 7 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Bradford capitalized on their momentum to score through J. Metcalfe, breaking Port Vale’s resistance in the 67th minute and securing the lead.
  • ▸ Port Vale made multiple substitutions but could not find an equalizer as Bradford defended resolutely until the final whistle.