Bradford City striker Andy Cook struck gold—literally and figuratively—when he netted his 100th career EFL goal, leading the Bantams to victory against Port Vale on Boxing Day. Cook’s impressive brace ensured Bradford came out on top with a 2-1 win at Valley Parade, bringing much-needed confidence back to the team following recent struggles.
The game kicked off with intensity, and it didn’t take long for Cook to showcase his talents. Just three minutes after the whistle, he scored with stunning flair—receiving a throw-in from Brad Halliday, he turned his marker and unleashed a remarkable left-footed drive from 30 yards out, catching Port Vale’s goalkeeper Connor Ripley off guard. The ball soared past Ripley and thundered off the crossbar before hitting the back of the net, sending the home crowd at Valley Parade roaring with excitement.
Bradford continued to press forward, with Cook’s opening strike giving them momentum. The home side created multiple chances, with Ripley making significant saves from efforts by Bobby Pointon and Paul Huntington, denying Bradford any early comfort.
Port Vale managed to regroup and equalized less than six minutes after the break. A long throw from Jesse Debrah disrupted Bradford's defense, leading to Antwoine Hackford firing home with a half-volley. Despite the setback, the Bantams didn't let the equalizer dampen their spirits for long.
On the 59-minute mark, exciting play from Bradford resulted in Cook’s second goal. Following a free-kick taken by Richie Smallwood, Cook rose above the defenders and nodded the ball home to reclaim the lead for his team—marking his impressive personal milestone.
After Cook’s goal, the atmosphere at Valley Parade was electric, with fans cheering their side on. With less than ten minutes to go, Port Vale suffered another blow as Tom Sang was shown a red card for elbowing Antoni Sarcevic, leaving his side to finish the match with ten men.
Post-match, Bradford's manager Graham Alexander couldn’t hide his delight about Cook’s unstoppable form. "It’s something we encourage all the time to be positive and just go for it. Goals like these stay in the memory for everyone for years. It won’t just be Cooky thinking about it, the supporters will too, and I will," he exclaimed.
Alexander noted the importance of the win, especially after falling to Notts County just prior to Christmas. "We had questions to answer from last week, and this victory is just what we needed," he reflected.
Port Vale manager Darren Moore, who once played for and managed the Bantams, shared his admiration for Cook’s first goal, labeling it as one of brilliance. "That’s a wonderful goal to score at any level, whether it’s the Premier League or any division. It was just brilliant, and probably their goal of the season. We’re not even halfway through the season, and I’d bet he won’t score one any more spectacular than this!"
The victory over Port Vale marks Bradford’s first success on Boxing Day at Valley Parade since 2012. For Cook, who has now amassed 15 goals this season across all competitions, this match cements his status as one of Bradford City’s key players. His performance serves not only as personal triumph but as morale-boosting motivation for the team moving forward.
With the season still underway, both the management and fans will be anticipating more of Cook’s standout performances as he continues to lead the line for Bradford City—showing not just skill but also providing the firepower the team needs to chase their promotion aspirations.
