Kenyan midfielder on target as Bradford City advance to Carabao Cup second round

© Bradford City

STARS ABROAD Kenyan midfielder on target as Bradford City advance to Carabao Cup second round

Mark Kinyanjui 12:40 - 09.08.2023

The Bantams scored all of their spot kicks with Kenyan winger Clarke Oduor converting the winning penalty.

Kenyan winger Clarke Oduor scored the winning spot kick as Bradford City edged out Accrington Stanley 4-1 on post-match penalties to proceed to the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.

Oduor played the full 90 minutes as both sides could not get the better of each other in regulation time, drawing 1-1 at full time which resulted in the match going to penalties.

The first 45 minutes were cagey in terms of goalmouth action.

The game burst to life in the first minute of added time when a Harry Lewis goal kick was flicked on to send Alex Pattison clean through and he finished beyond Toby Savin for the first Bradford goal of the campaign.

Stanley, relegated from League One last season, almost replied immediately but Lewis did well to keep out Adedoyin's fierce drive.

The game opened up after the break. Stanley captain Shaun Whalley tricked his way into the area but was denied by Lewis while last season's top scorer in League Two, Andy Cook, headed over and had an effort saved for the Bantams.

Whalley had another effort saved before Stanley equalised in the 66 minute.

From a short corner, substitute Nolan crossed for fellow replacement Josh Andrews, on loan from Birmingham City, who headed home his first Accrington goal - both had only been on the pitch two minutes.

Both sides went on the hunt for the winner without a clear-cut chance, including 14 minutes of added time, before the shoot-out.

The one-capped Kenya international had an assured individual performance, being successful with two of the three dribbles he attempted. He was fouled two times, showing just how much of a thorn he was to the opposition's defence.

He also attempted one successful long ball and made two key passes. He did not fall short on his defensive responsibilities as well, winning eight of his 10 ground duels, while attempting four tackles.