Bradford City secured their place in the League One play‑offs with a solid 2‑1 victory over Exeter City, a result that simultaneously condemned the Grecians to relegation back to League Two. The win not only guaranteed Bradford a chance to compete for promotion but also set up a two‑legged semi‑final against Bolton Wanderers, with Kayden Jackson and Antoni Sarcevic providing the decisive goals.
The match unfolded at Exeter’s home ground, where the hosts needed a win to stay up after Leyton Orient managed only a draw against Burton Albion. From the opening whistle, Bradford imposed themselves on the game, applying pressure and creating several clear‑cut chances. Their persistence 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 goalkeeper Jack Bycroft from roughly 18 yards out, giving the Bantams an early lead and putting Exeter under immediate strain. Exeter attempted to respond but struggled to find rhythm. At halftime the visitors made a double substitution, bringing on fresh legs in an effort to spark a comeback. The changes had a brief impact; Carlos Mendes Gomes unleashed a powerful shot that forced a save from Bradford keeper Sam Walker, and the Grecians generated a handful of half‑chances.
However, the decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute when Jack McMillan’s errant back‑header fell to Antoni Sarcevic, who tapped the ball past the Exeter goalkeeper to double Bradford’s advantage. In stoppage time, Exeter managed to pull one back.
Josh Magennis flicked a corner delivered by Ryan Rydel into the net, narrowing the deficit to 2‑1. Despite the late goal, it was insufficient to alter the outcome, and Exeter’s four‑year spell in the third tier came to an abrupt and disappointing close. Following the match, Bradford’s manager expressed optimism about the upcoming semi‑final, noting the team’s resilience and the importance of maintaining focus over the two‑legged tie against Bolton.
Meanwhile, Exeter’s boss Matt Taylor delivered a candid post‑match interview, acknowledging the shortcomings of his side. He said, "It was not the result we wanted and not the performance either. We were short today – and well short.
There was a gulf in levels in terms of experience, know‑how and game contribution. They looked bigger, faster and stronger than us in so many areas and it puts more pressure on our output and our output with the ball." Taylor continued, describing the first half as "as poor as we have been" and attributing the lack of cohesion to the pressure of the situation.
He admitted that his players struggled to complete even short passes and failed to capitalize on set‑piece opportunities. "Everything we wanted from that first half we didn't do and the goal was a big blow in relation to that," he added. The manager noted a slight improvement in the second half, but a costly mistake leading to the second Bradford goal ultimately sealed Exeter’s fate.
The play‑off schedule was also outlined in the match report. The first‑leg semi‑finals are set for Saturday, May 9, with Stevenage travelling to Stockport at 3 pm and Bolton facing Bradford at 8 pm. The return legs will be played on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, respectively, with the winners advancing to the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 24.
For fans wishing to follow the action, the report reminded viewers that the games are available on the Sky Sports app for Sky subscribers, while non‑Sky viewers can access live streams through a free, contract‑free service. Additionally, a promotional note highlighted a £250,000 prize pool for the Super 6 competition, with entries due by 3 pm on Saturday. Overall, Bradford’s victory not only secured their play‑off berth but also underscored their attacking intent and defensive solidity, attributes that will be crucial as they aim to progress past Bolton and potentially earn promotion to the Championship. Conversely, Exeter must now regroup and reflect on a season that ended in disappointment, looking ahead to the challenges of League Two and the task of rebuilding for a future push back up the English football pyramid.