City’s under-18s began 2021 with a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Youth Alliance North East division.
In an end-to-end encounter, Harvey Rowe’s late goal turned out to be the winner, as the young Bantams took all three points at their Woodhouse Grove training base.
The visitors broke the deadlock after City failed to clear a long throw-in, which allowed a turn and shot in the area to find its way past Tom Donaghy.
The Bantams equalised just before the interval, though, when Rowe’s left-footed effort was pushed out by Rovers goalkeeper Luke Chadwick, allowing City skipper Charlie Wood to tap in from close range.
However, moments later, Rovers took the lead again - with another composed finish inside the penalty area ensuring they were ahead at the break.
The hosts drew level once again when Olivier Sukiennicki’s free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar, with Wood then capitalizing to score his and the Bantams’ second of the game.
City went in front for the first time in the game when Connor Morris made sure of a goal-scoring return from injury.
The second-year forward got the better of his defender on the left-hand side of the 18-yard box before striking his effort into the bottom corner.
Rovers then levelled the scoring immediately after, when a free-kick delivered into the area was bundled in from close range.
In the closing stages, though, the pendulum swung for the final time as Rowe snatched City's winner.
A well-worked corner fell the way of the first-year scholar inside the six-yard box, who made no mistake in smashing the ball into back of the net.
CITY: Tom Donaghy; Harvey Rowe, Sam Bentley, Luke Harrop, Oliver Norman; George Thewlis (Casey Breaks 60’), Olivier Sukiennicki, Charlie Wood ©, Bobby Pointon (Ali Dalghous 85’); Cole Roberts, Dylan Youmbi (Connor Morris 75’). Subs (not used): Leke Ajibode, Ian Kamga.
GOALS: Charlie Wood (2), Connor Morris, Harvey Rowe.
DONCASTER: Luke Chadwick; Tom Henson, Lewis Cunningham, Daniel Wilds, Charlie Petch; Michael Nesbitt, Will Hollings, Charlie Bell, Alex Wolny; Corie Cole, Tavonga Kuleya. Subs: Luca Nelson, Jaymie Walsh, Josh Lindley, Alex Fletcher, Ethan Harrison.