Bradford City secured their spot in the League One play‑offs with a solid 2‑1 victory over Exeter City, a result that simultaneously sealed the Grecians' relegation to League Two. The win was earned through goals from Kayden Jackson and Antoni Sarcevic, giving the Bantams a comfortable cushion and setting up a two‑legged semi‑final clash with Bolton Wanderers. The match unfolded as a high‑stakes encounter for both sides.
Exeter, fighting to preserve their place in the third tier after four seasons, needed a win to stay up, especially after Leyton Orient could only manage a draw against Burton Albion. From the opening whistle, Bradford imposed their game plan, pressing aggressively and creating a series of promising chances. Their relentless approach paid off in the 27th minute when Kayden Jackson, marking his 450th appearance for the club, received a through ball from midfielder George Lapslie.
Jackson calmly slotted the ball under Exeter goalkeeper Jack Bycroft from about 18 yards out, giving the visitors an early lead. Exeter attempted to respond, but the first half remained dominated by Bradford. The Grecians made a double substitution at the interval, hoping to inject fresh energy. The changes produced a brief spark; Carlos Mendes Gomes unleashed a powerful shot that forced a save from Bradford keeper Sam Walker, and the home side began to generate a handful of half‑chances.
However, the decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute. Jack McMillan, attempting a defensive header, mis‑timed his back‑handed clearance, allowing Antoni Sarcevic to pounce and tap the ball past the Exeter keeper for a second goal. The scoreline now read 2‑0, and Exeter’s hopes dwindled.
In stoppage time, Exeter managed a consolation strike. Josh Magennis flicked a corner delivered by Ryan Rydel into the net, reducing the deficit to 2‑1. Despite the late goal, the result was enough to confirm Exeter’s relegation.
The match concluded with Bradford celebrating their play‑off qualification and Exeter reflecting on a disappointing end to their league campaign. Following the game, Exeter manager Matt Taylor expressed his frustration in a post‑match interview. He acknowledged that the performance fell far short of expectations, citing a lack of experience, tactical awareness, and physical presence compared to Bradford.
Taylor admitted that the first half was particularly poor, with his side struggling to complete even a few passes, failing to capitalize on set‑piece opportunities, and being unable to dictate the tempo. He highlighted an honest mistake in the second half that led to the decisive second goal, describing the overall experience as "painful" and attributing part of the failure to the overwhelming pressure of the situation. Bradford, meanwhile, can now turn their attention to the play‑off semi‑finals. The first leg against Bolton is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at 8 p.m., with the return fixture set for Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m.
The other semi‑final ties feature Stevenage versus Stockport on May 9 and May 13 respectively. The winners of those matches will meet at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 24, for the play‑off final, where a place in the Championship awaits the victor. For fans wishing to follow the action, the EFL matches are available on the Sky Sports app for Sky subscribers. Those without a Sky subscription can still gain instant access through a free, no‑contract service, ensuring that supporters can keep up with the drama as it unfolds.
Beyond the immediate footballing implications, the article also mentioned a promotional offer: a £250,000 prize pool associated with the "Super 6" competition, which remains free to enter. Entries must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Saturday to qualify. In summary, Bradford's 2‑1 win not only propelled them into the play‑offs but also confirmed Exeter's drop to League Two after a four‑year stint in the third tier.
The match highlighted Bradford's composure under pressure and Exeter's inability to cope with the stakes, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season as the play‑off battles commence.