Posh Crushed By Bantams
Peterborough United won many plaudits for their display against Premier League side West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night in front of millions across the world, but they were abject at best against Bradford City as Sky Bet League One action returned to the ABAX Stadium.Graham Westley's men were well short of the standards they have set themselves and the visiting Bantams cruised to a 4-0 victory with James Hanson bagging a brace on his 300th appearance for the Bantams.
Tom Nichols blazed wide of the target after a swift Posh counter attack with the Bantams content to sit deep and try and soak up the early pressure.
Martin Samuelsen saw a powerful shot from distance blocked bravely by McArdle on nine minutes. Goalkeeper Ben Alnwick was called upon on 18 minutes to beat away a shot from Reece Burke after a deep corner from Tony McMahon caused a bit of panic at the back post.
Nichols curled a shot wide of the target on 25 minutes after a strong run from Taylor down the right hand side. Adil Nabi curled a free kick straight into the arms of Williams on the half hour mark and moments later, boss Graham Westley made a change with Marcus Maddison replacing Fox at left-back.
Reid found the side-netting with a poked finish on 37 minutes after bursting into the box as the visitors continued to probe.
On the stroke of half-time, the visitors got themselves a deserved lead as a cross from the left was powered into the corner by James HANSON with his head, a fine way to celebrate his 300th appearance for the club.
Posh made a switch at the break with Martin Samuelsen replaced by Chris Forrester. Moments after the re-start, Posh were desperately close to drawing themselves level, first Nabi wasd denied by Williams and then Maddison saw an effort superbly blocked on the line by Darby.
A Baldwin cross was only half cleared to Michael Smith on 53 minutes, but he scooped his shot over the bar from the penalty spot. On 56 minutes, the visitors doubled their lead as Kyel REID took advantage of some statuesque defending to fire low into the corner from just inside the box.
Evans side-footed wide on 59 minutes as the Bantams went in search of a third goal as a jaded looking Posh struggled to contain the lively visitors.
Zakuani was cautioned on 64 minutes for a late tackle as the frustrations began to get the better of the Posh side as they tried to get themselves a foot hold in proceedings.
The game was definitely over as a contest on 68 minutes as HANSON met a Meredith cross unchallenged from the left to glance a header into the top corner past Alnwick.
Posh made their final change on 70 minutes with Lee Angol replacing Zakuani. It became a rout on 76 minutes as substitute DAVIES got the final touch from close-range to divert a cross from McMahon000 into the empty net as fans began to stream out of the stadium.
Nabi saw a free-kick superbly kept out by Williams as the game moved into three minutes of unwanted time added on.
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Zakuani (sub Angol 70min), Baldwin, Taylor, Bostwick, Fox (sub Maddison 33min), Nichols, Samuelsen (sub Forrester 46min), Coulthirst, Nabi. Unused subs: Henry, Oztumer, Almeida Santos, Toffolo.
Bradford: Williams, Darby, Meredith, Evans, Hanson (sub Proctor 90min), Cullen, Burke, Reid (sub Marshall 83min), McArdle, McMahon, Thomas (sub Davies 71min). Unused subs: Cracknell, Clarke, Knott, Morris.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-1 Bradford City
Full-time: Peterborough United 0-4 Bradford City
Attendance: 5,816 (594 Bradford fans)