Match report

Bradford Defeats Reading 2-0 In League One Clash

Bradford
Bradford
2–0
FT
Reading
Reading
Dec 13, 2025

Bradford secured a vital 2-0 win over Reading at Valley Parade, staking their claim higher up the League One table. Bradford's early control and Reading's disciplinary issues proved decisive as Sarcevic opened the scoring in the 56th minute followed by Pointon’s goal four minutes into the second half.

Key Facts

  • • Bradford defeated Reading with a final score of 2-0.
  • • Sarcevic scored Bradford's first goal in the 56th minute.
  • • Pointon added Bradford's second goal in the 84th minute.
  • • Reading received three yellow cards: Ehibhatiomhan (41'), O'Connor (47'), and Abrefa (90'+2).
  • • Bradford had one yellow card issued to Halliday in the 86th minute.

Lineups

Bradford

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 S. Walker (G)
  • 4 J. Wright (D)
  • 15 A. Baldwin (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
  • 7 J. Neufville
  • 14 T. McIntyre
  • 20 T. Leigh
  • 23 B. Pointon
  • 24 W. Swan
  • 26 C. Tilt

Reading

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Pereira (G)
  • 15 P. O'Connor (D)
  • 33 D. Williams (D)
  • 3 J. R. Dorsett A. (D)
  • 2 K. Abrefa (M)
  • 8 C. Savage (M)
  • 10 L. Wing (M)
  • 21 R. Williams (M)
  • 29 K. Doyle (F)
  • 11 D. Kyerewaa (F)
  • 9 K. Ehibhatiomhan (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 J. Stevens
  • 6 L. Fraser
  • 7 J. Marriott
  • 12 F. Burns
  • 17 A. Yiadom
  • 19 A. Garcia
  • 28 M. Camara

Timeline

  1. Reading
    41' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    K. Ehibhatiomhan

    Foul

  2. Reading
    47' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    P. O'Connor

    Foul

  3. Bradford
    56' Bradford Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Sarcevic
  4. Reading
    62' Reading subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. R. Dorsett A. · On: A. Yiadom
  5. Reading
    63' Reading subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Kami Doyle · On: J. Marriott
  6. Bradford
    73' Bradford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Sarcevic · On: Bobby Pointon
  7. Reading
    78' Reading subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Charlie Savage · On: L. Fraser
  8. Bradford
    79' Bradford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Humphrys · On: W. Swan
  9. Reading
    79' Reading subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Ehibhatiomhan · On: Andre Garcia
  10. Bradford
    84' Bradford Goal · Normal Goal
    Bobby Pointon · Assist: T. Wright
  11. Bradford
    86' Bradford Card · Yellow Card
    B. Halliday

    Foul

  12. Reading
    88' Reading subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Williams · On: Mamadi Camará
  13. Reading
    90'+2 Reading Card · Yellow Card
    K. Abrefa

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Bradford Reading
Fouls 12 11
Pass Accuracy 68% 74%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 8
Corners 3 2
Total Passes 326 404
Yellow Cards 1 3
Blocked Shots 2 2
Shots on Target 4 2
xG 1.15 0.66
Shots off Target 4 4
Possession 46% 54%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 223 298
Shots Inside Box 7 6
Saves 2 2
Shots Outside Box 3 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The match's momentum shifted when Bradford capitalized on Reading’s two early yellow cards, scoring through Sarcevic at the half-hour mark of the second period.
  • ▸ Pointon's goal in the 84th minute solidified Bradford's lead and effectively ended any comeback hopes from Reading.