Bantams rewrite script to spoil start of MK Dons new era

THE distinguished guests in the directors' box were glued to the spectacle at their first MK Dons game.

Several family members of the new Kuwaiti owners keenly videoed the fans in full voice.

But it was towards the away end where their mobiles were turned; the eye-catching show supplied by the 1,700-strong travelling army enjoying the rare pleasure of a City victory on opening day.

That’s six wins in a row now for the Bantams in League Two, carrying on where they left off from the end-of-season charge.

But this was one we’ve had to wait for – a first win in the first fixture since the doomed campaign of 2018.

You had to go all the way back to 2008 and Notts County nemesis Peter Thorne’s double for the last time City had won a League Two curtain-raiser. There had been nine unsuccessful stabs at it in the meantime.

The Bantams had not even scored in game one since dropping back to the basement six years ago.

The West Yorkshire choir were entitled to give it plenty after an astonishing start to the new campaign.

“We’re Bradford City, we’re top of the league” was the chorus as they rejoiced after the one-two that floored MK Dons in the opening minutes.

It’s been a long while since that was dusted off in the repertoire. No wonder some in the replica shirt-wearing entourage of MK’s new main man Fahad Al Ghanim were taken in by the eruption of noise.

This wasn’t written in the script handed him by outgoing Dons owner Pete Winkelman.

Home fans had chanted the chairman’s name – something you won’t hear at Valley Parade – when Al Ghanim was presented to the crowd ahead of kick-off.

The pre-season promotion favourites were then expected to deliver a show fitting for the Middle Eastern VIPs. But City had other ideas.

Remember this was a team that had scored just once in the first 10 minutes of any game last season.

That dreadful stat was toppled inside the first five in the plush surrounds of Stadium MK.

Graham Alexander dismissed any talk of delivering a “statement of intent” but Sky TV’s presence ensured everyone got a glimpse of City blasting into the new season.

Antoni Sarcevic was one of three starting debutants for City (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Two up before MK’s new ownership had finished glad-handing the staff; nobody seriously expected that.

Trial by possession inevitably followed with the home side dominating the ball as they do in the “MK way”.

Alexander merely shrugged his shoulders when quizzed about the home side having it for two-thirds of the contest. But City’s fitness and mental discipline was tested in the heat as the Dons pushed and probed.

His team selection had been scrutinised keenly by fans.

The starting line-up came as no surprise but it was the make-up of the bench that would always provide the biggest talking point.

And, more significantly, who was not named in the 18.

Callum Johnson had not travelled nor Kevin McDonald and Adam Wilson as they continue to sit in the departure lounge.

But the team sheet showed no Alex Gilliead, Tyler Smith or Sam Stubbs. Lewis Richards, too, was not among an attack-minded substitute selection.

Jake Young was there, although the striker was not summoned in the closing stages.

Those pressed into action to see the game through certainly did their bit.

Vadaine Oliver put himself about as the get-out target to ease the home pressure and Clarke Oduor, not involved in the final two friendlies, introduced an element of calm to take the sting out of the final moments.

Team before individual is the Alexander mantra and there were plenty of weary legs in the dressing room to back up that demand.

Skipper Richie Smallwood demonstrated that in spades, especially in the first half when City threatened to be swamped by white shirts popping up here, there and everywhere.

One covering tackle on Stephen Wearne in the box had to be absolutely spot on, Smallwood appearing to be caught wrong side of the advancing midfielder but snaking a leg round him to make the cleanest of contact as his opponent tumbled.

“Richie just knows how to play the game of football," said Alexander, "to make the right decisions and influence the players around him and structure a game plan.”

Captain Richie Smallwood worked hard and organised the team (Image: Thomas Gadd)

But Alex Pattison earned the biggest plaudits for a display that blew away a year of pent-up frustration.

This was his first proper outing since his season-ending injury at Doncaster pre-Christmas.

A hint of cramp jumping for a header late on betrayed the inevitable fatigue but this was some 95-minute shift.

And it was illuminated by a spectacular goal from City’s first attack.

Pattison fed Tyreik Wright on the overlap and then lurked for the return pass 25 yards out. When it came, he needed one touch to steady before lashing a rocket past the flailing arms of home keeper Tom McGill.

Pattison’s fist-pumping celebrations had barely died down when the visitors struck again.

Wright clipped a cross from the edge of the box which centre half Sam Sherring, one of seven home debutants, could only divert into his own net as he attempted to cut it out.

MK took time to clear their heads before the response began. City, understandably a bit light-headed from such an explosive intro, found themselves on the back foot for a large spell.

Wright and Brad Halliday found themselves exposed at wing-back with the central defensive three a bit reluctant to be pulled wide.

Callum Hendry’s first-time flick round the corner from Joe Tomlinson’s pass left Halliday trailing in the wake of Alex Gilbey.

MK’s captain, who rejoined them last summer during Alexander’s brief reign, wafted the ball beyond Sam Walker and the contest came alive.

Walker’s imposing frame came to City’s rescue on a couple of occasions, smothering Hendry in the six-yard box and beating out a well-struck shot by sub Matt Dennis.

But the Bantams had chances on the break which they should have taken more care with.

City's travelling fans in good voice during their opening win (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Andy Cook slashed one half-volley over and had the blinkers on when he could have played in Calum Kavanagh, who was also guilty of tired decisions when he had support from breaking burst forward.

There is plenty to work on and nobody is getting carried away. Had MK possessed the clinical edge to their flowing build-up play, the outcome could have been quite different.

But there was a gutsy air about City; a spirit to battle for each other and ensure that wonderful start did not go to waste.

This was only the fourth first-day win in the last 17 years.

No wonder the fans who had endured the endless speed restrictions on the M1 on their journey were in such party mood. An opening act like that has been a long time coming.