In a thrilling encounter at the SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield and Bradford City played to a dramatic 3-3 draw on April 21, 2025. The match showcased the resilience of both teams as they fought back and forth, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Bradford City opened the scoring early in the match, with Bobby Pointon finding the back of the net in the 10th minute. The visitors continued to press, and just nine minutes later, Antoni Sarcevic doubled their lead from the penalty spot after being controversially brought down by Chesterfield's Tom Naylor. The referee, Scott Jackson, awarded the penalty, which Sarcevic confidently slotted home, putting Bradford ahead 2-0.
Chesterfield, however, refused to back down. They finished the first half strong, with Ryan Colclough hitting the post and Jenson Metcalfe forcing a save from Bradford's goalkeeper, Sam Walker. The breakthrough came in first-half added time when Metcalfe scored his first senior goal, curling a shot off the post to bring the score to 2-1.
As the second half commenced, Bradford quickly restored their two-goal advantage. Just four minutes in, Alex Pattison headed in a cross from Tayo Adaramola, making it 3-1 and seemingly putting the game out of reach for Chesterfield.
But the home side was not done yet. In the 71st minute, Will Grigg pulled one back for Chesterfield, assisted by Metcalfe. Grigg rounded Walker and placed the ball into the net, making it 3-2 and reigniting hope for the Spireites.
As the clock ticked down, the atmosphere in the stadium grew electric. Chesterfield pressed for an equalizer, and their persistence paid off in the dying moments of the match. In the 92nd minute, Liam Mandeville struck a deflected shot that found its way into the net, leveling the score at 3-3 and sending the home fans into jubilation.
The draw leaves Bradford City in third place on the League Two table with 75 points, while Chesterfield remains in 10th with 64 points, just three points off the playoff spots with two games remaining. The match was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, and it highlighted the unpredictable nature of football.
Chesterfield's manager, Paul Cook, expressed pride in his team's performance, stating, "The boys showed great character to come back and earn a point. We never gave up, and that's what we need to carry forward into the final games of the season." Meanwhile, Bradford's manager, Graham Alexander, acknowledged the difficulties his side faced, saying, "We had the game under control but allowed Chesterfield back in. We need to learn from this and tighten our defense in future matches."
Statistically, the match was closely contested. Chesterfield recorded 13 shots with 4 on target, while Bradford had 15 shots, 5 of which were on target. The home side managed 21 touches inside the box compared to Bradford's 17, showcasing their attacking intent. However, Bradford's ability to capitalize on their chances early in the match proved crucial.
The draw marked a continuation of Chesterfield's struggles against Bradford City at home, as they have failed to win any of their last eight league encounters against the Bantams, with their last victory coming in April 2007.
As the season nears its conclusion, both teams will look to build on this performance. Chesterfield aims to secure a playoff spot, while Bradford City hopes to solidify their position in the promotion race. With two games left, every point will be critical for both sides as they chase their respective goals.
The thrilling nature of this match serves as a reminder of why fans love football. With passion, drama, and late-game heroics, Chesterfield and Bradford City delivered a memorable spectacle that will be talked about for some time.
