Bradford City secured a convincing 3-1 Carabao Cup victory at Leyton Orient's BetWright Stadium this week, a result built on a bold team selection and a standout performance from Stephen Humphrys. The win sends the Bantams into the fourth round of the competition and provides a timely boost ahead of their League One campaign, where they currently sit 4th with three wins from five games.
Simon Parker said: "CITY’S understudies stole the show to beat Leyton Orient and clinch a Carabao Cup fourth-round spot."
Manager Graham Alexander made a sweeping ten changes from the previous league outing, with only goalkeeper Jon McCracken retaining his place. The new-look side featured three debutants in defenders Kieran Morgan and Hayden Matthews, plus wing-back Corey O’Keeffe, while Stephen Humphrys made his first appearance of the season. The gamble paid off handsomely. Humphrys, operating up front, was the catalyst, providing an assist and scoring a goal inside the first hour to earn the Man of the Match award with a rating of 8. Captain for the night Kayden Jackson impressed at right wing-back with a 7, and George Lapslie was a driving force in midfield, also scoring a 7.5.
Bradford also dominated the corner count 12 to 8, underlining their attacking intent. Possession was narrowly in the home side's favour at 52%, but City's clinical edge proved decisive. The match was officiated by Ed Duckworth from Preston, who booked George Lapslie for City and three Leyton Orient players. A crowd of 3,165 watched the tie, with 556 making the trip to London to support the visitors.
This cup success adds positive momentum as the club continues its League One campaign. Alexander's side currently holds 4th place with 9 points from five matches, claiming a record of three wins and two losses. Their goal difference stands at +1, having scored five and conceded four. They sit just three points behind early leaders Sheffield Wednesday. The immediate focus now shifts back to the league and a tough away fixture against Notts County on September 12th. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on the club's fixtures and standings pages.
For Bradford City, the high marks were widespread. Alongside Humphrys, Corey O’Keeffe (7.5) and Tyreik Swan (7.5) were highly influential. The defensive debutants, Matthews and Morgan, both scored a solid 7. Leyton Orient's best performers were Idris El Mizouni and Danijel Dobra, each rated 7 by the Telegraph and Argus. Bradford's substitutions also had an impact, with Bobby Pointon and Callum Connolly both coming on to earn a 7. The full set of ratings provides a clear picture of a squad performance where the fringe players seized their opportunity. The team now prepares for their trip to face 12th-placed Notts County this Saturday.
