Leyton Orient 1 Bradford City 2

Last updated : 05 December 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Bradford City ended their dismal run of seven league games without a win as they beat basement boys Leyton Orient.

Goals from Eddie Johnson and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson in the first half were enough to keep Orient at the foot of the table, despite a reply from Alton Thelwell, his first goal for the club.

It was Bradford, who stunned the home side with the opening goal after just five minutes.

The visitors, who had netted only three goals in their last seven league matches, quickly hit the target when Steven Schumacher drove a perfect ball through the heart of the Orient rearguard and Johnson shrugged off O's skipper John Mackie to fire home from 12 yards.

Orient responded in style and forced eight first-half corners in a bid to get back into the game.

Striker Gary Alexander had three quick chances to level, the last of which bounced back off the upright.

As Orient kept their foot on the gas Craig Easton also went close before they were forced into a reshuffle, when skipper Mackie limped off on 21 minutes to be replaced by youngster Brian Saah.

But Orient continued to press and defender Thelwell, on loan from Hull, hammered home his first goal for the club when he met Matt Lockwood's corner on 29 minutes.

Thelwell then brought a smart stop from Donovan Ricketts and Richard Edghill headed a Paul Connor effort off the line as O's continued to press.

But Bradford broke away and struck a killer second goal.

The ever dangerous Jermaine Johnson crossed from the right and Adam Chambers saw his poor header fall to Bridge-Wilkinson, who rifled home from 16 yards.

After the break Orient failed to find their momentum again and it was the visitors who coped comfortably.

Indeed, City always looked likely to strike a game on the break and twice striker David Graham had chances to stretch their advantage.

But his first was blocked by Thelwell and then he fired wastefully wide.