Soccer
Bradford beat Rochdale to reach Carabao Cup second round
League One Bradford eased their way into the Carabao Cup second round with a 2-0 win over Rochdale.
Rochdale, back in the EFL after a three-year absence, had an early penalty shout turned down for Tyreik Wright’s challenge on Luke Hannant.
Wright shot over the bar and Jake Beesley headed past the post as Bradford started to take control.
Mani Dieseruvwe had a shot blocked in front of goal by Matt Pennington but the home side were doing most of the attacking.
Rochdale goalkeeper Nils Ramming made a good stop from Kayden Jackson and then denied Callum Connolly but Bradford took the lead in added time at the end of the first half when Will Swan took advantage of a poor backpass from visiting captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell.
Rochdale had a great chance to level two minutes after the break. Dieseruvwe was left unmarked from Hannant’s cross but headed wide.
Bradford responded with Ramming forced into action again from Beesley’s header.
They increased the lead in the 67th minute, with Aden Baldwin heading home from a Connolly corner.
Rochdale registered their first shot on target seven minutes later when Dajaune Brown’s shot was comfortably saved by Jon McCracken.
Nick Powell twice hit the post for Bradford before McCracken again thwarted Brown.
