Bradford City Claim Victory Over Blackpool in Crucial League One Clash

Bradford City Triumph at Bloomfield Road

Bradford bounced back from defeat on New Year’s Day with a 2-1 victory over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. The match, played on 4th January 2026, proved crucial for both sides’ League One campaigns, with Bradford City holding 3rd position in the table whilst seeking to maintain their promotion push.

Match Details and Key Moments

The visitors took the lead in the first half when Baldwin fired Bradford in front in the 25th minute. The defender remained alert in the box, and reacted quickly to fire a bouncing ball past Bailey Peacock-Farrell and into the roof of the net. Blackpool responded after the restart, as Ashley Fletcher’s 15th goal of the season levelled the scores ahead of the hour mark.

However, Bradford’s persistence paid off when Will Swan edged the Bantams in front again in the 67th minute, as the Yorkshire outfit bounced back from their New Year’s Day defeat to Mansfield Town. Blackpool thought they had found a late equaliser, but any celebrations were halted by the referee’s whistle for a high boot.

Context and Implications

Blackpool welcomed promotion-chasing Bradford City to Bloomfield Road on Sunday as the sides meet in League One action. While the Tangerines are looking to build momentum under new boss Ian Evatt, their visitors arrive eager to bounce back quickly from a setback in midweek. The defeat represented back-to-back losses after their disappointing day out away to Port Vale on Thursday, following a five-game unbeaten run that was emphatically halted on New Year’s Day, as they were thrashed 5-1 by the league’s cellar-dwellers, Port Vale.

The result proves significant for Bradford’s promotion aspirations whilst Blackpool must regroup as they navigate a challenging period under manager Ian Evatt, who faces mounting injury concerns and seeks to recapture their December form.