Match report

Bradford Secures Narrow Win Over Rotherham in League One

Bradford
Bradford
1–0
FT
Rotherham
Rotherham
Feb 24, 2026

Bradford secured a narrow victory over Rotherham with a solitary goal from Matthew Pennington in the early stages of their League One match. Despite several substitutions and late pressure, Bradford's defense held firm to preserve the win at Valley Parade.

Key Facts

  • • Bradford 1-0 Rotherham (League One)
  • • Goal: Matthew Pennington (11') assisted by T. Wright
  • • Substitutions: Kayden Jackson for Bradford, K. Spence and D. Yearwood for Rotherham
  • • Yellow Cards: T. Wright of Bradford, E. Adegboyega of Rotherham

Lineups

Bradford

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Sam Walker (G)
  • 28 Matthew Pennington (D)
  • 15 Aden Baldwin (D)
  • 26 Curtis Tilt (D)
  • 7 Josh Neufville (M)
  • 6 Max Power (M)
  • 21 Jenson Metcalfe (M)
  • 17 Tyreik Wright (M)
  • 10 Antoni Sarcevic (F)
  • 23 Bobby Pointon (F)
  • 19 Kayden Jackson (F)

Substitutes

  • 27 Ethan Wheatley
  • 11 Stephen Humphrys
  • 25 Joe Hilton
  • 3 Ibou Touray
  • 4 Joe Wright
  • 8 Lee Evans
  • 14 Paul Mullin

Rotherham

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 13 Ted Cann (G)
  • 2 Joe Rafferty (D)
  • 36 Emmanuel Adegboyega (D)
  • 15 Jamal Baptiste (D)
  • 6 Reece James (D)
  • 19 Josh Benson (M)
  • 8 Kian Spence (M)
  • 28 Brandon Cover (M)
  • 16 Dru Yearwood (M)
  • 24 Harry Gray (M)
  • 10 Sam Nombe (F)

Substitutes

  • 20 Duncan Watmore
  • 4 Liam Kelly
  • 11 ArJany Martha
  • 1 Cameron Dawson
  • 49 Lino Sousa
  • 18 Lenny Agbaire
  • 29 Gabriele Biancheri

Timeline

  1. Bradford
    11' Bradford Goal · Normal Goal
    Matthew Pennington · Assist: T. Wright
  2. Bradford
    24' Bradford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Kayden Jackson · On: Ethan Wheatley
  3. Rotherham
    46' Rotherham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Spence · On: D. Watmore
  4. Rotherham
    54' Rotherham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Yearwood · On: Liam Kelly
  5. Rotherham
    73' Rotherham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: B. Cover · On: A. Martha
  6. Bradford
    74' Bradford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ethan Wheatley · On: S. Humphrys
  7. Bradford
    84' Bradford Card · Yellow Card
    T. Wright

    Foul

  8. Rotherham
    85' Rotherham Card · Yellow Card
    E. Adegboyega

    Unsportsmanlike conduct

  9. Rotherham
    86' Rotherham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Benson · On: G. Biancheri
  10. Rotherham
    87' Rotherham subst · Substitution 5
    Off: E. Adegboyega · On: Lenny Agbaire
  11. Bradford
    90'+5 Bradford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Bobby Pointon · On: J. Wright

Match Stats

Stat Bradford Rotherham
Fouls 13 13
Pass Accuracy 65% 65%
Offsides 5 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 14 7
Corners 6 7
Total Passes 335 345
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 7 2
Shots on Target 3 0
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 5
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 217 225
Shots Inside Box 8 3
Saves 0 2
Shots Outside Box 6 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Matthew Pennington's early goal (11') set the tone for Bradford, giving them a crucial lead they defended throughout.
  • ▸ Rotherham's multiple substitutions in the second half aimed to level the game, but failed to break through Bradford’s sturdy defense.