We played like it was a friendly – Hopkin
DAVID Hopkin accused his Bradford side of treating their relegation six-pointer at Walsall “like a testimonial” after losing to the 10-man Saddlers.
Walsall had to play almost the entire game a man short after top scorer Andy Cook’s sixth-minute red card and Bradford soon went ahead through Eoin Doyle.
However, the 10 men went 2-1 up through Josh Gordon and Joe Edwards – and although Anthony O’Connor levelled for City, Gordon’s second won it for Walsall.
Hopkin said: “I thought we started brightly – we went 1-0 up and had four or five good chances but then we just played it like a testimonial.
“I just think we thought the game was going to be too easy and we switched off a bit, and before you know it we’ve conceded three really poor goals.
“Players need to take responsibility.”
Saddlers top scorer Cook was sent off after just six minutes for elbowing Nathaniel Knight-Percival.
Bradford quickly capitalised to go ahead after 12 minutes when Doyle headed home Jack Payne’s cross.
Walsall levelled after 42 minutes when Gordon rifled home a loose ball in the box.
And the 10 men led after 47 minutes, when Edwards nodded home after a Matt Jarvis header came back off the bar.
Bradford equalised after 53 minutes, O’Connor slotting in after Walsall keeper Liam Roberts had parried Lewis O’Brien’s fierce strike.
O’Brien rattled the bar from 25 yards and a Payne shot was cleared off the line by Jon Guthrie – but Walsall scored the winner after 62 minutes when Gordon flashed a header home from Luke Leahy’s corner.
Bradford could have rescued a point but Guthrie blocked Doyle’s pointblank volley and Roberts saved superbly from Payne to leave City three points from safety.
Walsall boss Dean Keates – who intends to appeal Cook’s red card, insisting his elbow did not strike Knight-Percival – said: “We were outstanding.
“The lads showed great character, desire and endeavour. Hopefully this can galvanise our season.
“I’ve heard people saying ‘not fit to wear the shirt’. They are a young group, they want to learn, they want to develop.”