Rovers started well having been shown lots of respect by their League Two hosts - but from the moment they sensed the visitors may be a little fragile, they stepped on the gas to run out deserved victors.

While always wary of looking too much into pre-season matches, there were plenty of similarities that could be drawn to those final months of last season, endless possession but a lack of a clinical edge, and struggling to find a way to get back into games when going behind, were evident again here.

The fact Rovers finished with a side packed of teenage scholars and Under-23s, who some fans may not have known of the names of prior to kick-off, was an indication of how anyone fit and available made the trip. While a deserved and valuable experience for a promising crop of youngsters, it was a stark warning of just how thin the squad currently is so close to the start of a Championship season.

Few of those starting in the absence of nine senior players did anything to push their own claims for more regular involvement a frustrated look across the faces of many of them just before their exit 15 minutes from time.

Rovers had put out a team that was the strongest they could name from the off, with just one change from the side that started at Everton seven days earlier.

John Buckley shook off the knock that forced him off, but midfield partner Lewis Travis joined those on the sidelines, giving Harry Chapman a chance from the start.

Travis’ name on the absentees list only highlighted both the quality of players Rovers are currently without, but also the lack of depth behind them, with the 12 substitutes named having made a combined six first-team appearances between them.

It was Mark Venus, rather than Tony Mowbray, shouting instructions from the touchline as the manager isolated at home with his family. There was a new look to the side, at least in terms of the kit they were wearing, the 2021/22 Macron home shirt getting a run-out for the first time, and there were waves of blue and white possession in the early stages.

Adam Armstrong, amid continued speculation over his future, led the line but was largely a peripheral figure at the top end of the pitch after what would have been an outrageous goal with eight minutes on the clock. He headed a Darragh Lenihan long ball up in the air, before volleying as he swivelled goalwards, an effort flashing wide of the target.

He was flanked by Dan Butterworth and Chapman, the latter denied what looked to be a stonewall penalty in the 13th minute. Bemusement greeted the call from the referee who deemed Niall Canavan’s block on Chapman, which sent him to the floor after he had earlier intercepted the defender’s pass, to be accidental.  

That came as part of a decent spell for Rovers, Butterworth weaving his way into position in the box before his left foot shot was saved by the legs of Bradford ‘keeper Richard O’Donnell.

To their credit, Bradford were defending the width of their box well, repelling any crosses and set plays, and were growing into the game as things went on.

Their midfield was athletic, and the movement of the three central players caused issues, one of them, Levi Sutton getting forward to test Thomas Kaminski for the first time,

And they soon found themselves ahead. It came from the penalty spot, Rovers getting into a mix-up at the back, Alex Gilliead nipping in, with his neat footwork foxing Ayala who tripped him. Lee Angol sent Kaminski the wrong way, a goal greeted with a roar by the 1,500 home supporters.

Joe Rothwell had tried several things without success, but did tee up Armstrong for a shot which found the gloves of O’Donnell, something Rovers were doing with regularity, but not overstretching the Bantams skipper who held on to another long range effort shortly afterwards, this time from John Buckley.

There was an aerial presence to the Bradford side though, Callum Cooke delivering for Andy Cook who got above Ryan Nyambe, but couldn’t direct his header on target. A collision from that free-kick resulted in a blow to the face for Darragh Lenihan who carried on until the break, then replaced by Hayden Carter.

Before then, the hosts had gone close to a second. Oscar Threlkeld got forward from right back to meet a diagonal cross from the left, his header looping goalwards and just wide of the far post, with Kaminski watching.

The Belgian took the armband for the second half as Rovers looked to create more meaningful attacks.

But again it was from distance again that they had their next effort, Butterworth unable to decline an effort from a bouncing ball 25 yards out which substitute keeper Sam Hornby held on to.

The home crowd, and players, were encouraged by what they were seeing, Cook again using his presence to first hold off Pickering, and then his aerial ability to test Kaminski who saved down low.

The longer things went on, the more dispiriting things got.

A two goal lead wouldn’t have flattered them, and no-one could begrudge it when it came, a well-worked move in the 57th minute. Cooke and Cook exchanged passes on the edge of the box to cut-out Ayala, with the midfielder able to run into the box before firing a shot into the roof of the net.

Three changes then arrived for Rovers, one of them, Jack Vale, taking the attack upon himself to have a go at goal from 25 yards, but it lacked any conviction, much like second half display, as Hornby held on.

The side to play out the final 15 minutes could easily have been an Under-23s outfit, such was the inexperience on the field, with just six Rovers first-team appearances to their name.

Three of those belonged to Hayden Carter whose shot on the turn which flew over the top the one effort at goal they managed.

Antonis Stergiakis did come up with a good save to deny Ollie Crankshaw with his feet, Lenni Cirino coming up with a block to deny the same player shortly afterwards.

 

Bradford City: O'Donnell (Hornby, 46), Threlkeld, Ridehalgh, O'Connor, Canavan (Kelleher, 78), Cooke, Cook (Vernam, 67), Gilliead (Eisa, 78) Watt (Crankshaw, 71), Angol, Sutton

Subs: Foulds, Evans, Staunton, Cousin-Dawson, Sikora, Scales.

Rovers: Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan (Carter, 46), Ayala, Pickering, Davenport (Garrett, 62), Buckley, Rothwell, Chapman, Butterworth (McBride, 62), Armstrong (Vale, 62)

For the final 15 minutes: Stergiakis, Carter, Magloire, Annesley, Cirino, Nolan, Garrett, Weston, Gilsenan, Vale, McBride