Video summary
The video highlights a League One football match between Notts County and Bradford City at Meadow Lane, marking the return of the oldest professional club in the world to competitive action after their promotion via a Wembley victory. While Notts County remained unbeaten with several draws early in the season, Bradford City adopted an "all or nothing" approach, securing three wins and three defeats to climb into the playoff positions. The match began with a strong performance from George Pratt, who made his second appearance for the home side on loan from Blackburn Rovers, helping Notts County maintain possession and defend against early pressure from the visitors.
The game remained tight until George Pratt scored a spectacular goal that put Notts County ahead, proving to be a decisive moment in what was described as a match desperately needing a lead. The young striker capitalized on a well-worked move involving Kayden Jackson and James Belshaw, delivering a powerful shot into the back of the net that silenced the crowd and shifted the momentum. Following this breakthrough, Bradford City pushed hard for an equalizer, creating several dangerous chances through headers from Lucas Ness and shots from their new number nine, but Notts County's defense held firm to protect their slender lead.
Despite Bradford City's relentless attacks and a few near-misses that saw the ball hit the post or go just wide, Notts County struggled to create clear-cut opportunities of their own, with attempts by players like Ollie Cooper often pulled off target or ruled out for offside. The home side managed to survive a late surge from the visitors, including a chance where Connor Grant's shot was deflected but ultimately missed due to an offside call involving multiple defenders. As the match neared its conclusion, Bradford City fans sensed a potential comeback, but Notts County held on to secure a narrow victory that kept them in the hunt for European qualification spots.
In the end, the final whistle confirmed a 1-0 win for Notts County, with George Pratt earning well-deserved praise as the unlikely match-winner who delivered a stunning performance from the bench. The result marked Bradford City's fourth league win of the season, all achieved while keeping clean sheets, but they were unable to overcome the home side on this occasion. The match concluded with a low-key atmosphere in the final minutes, as both teams shook hands in the technical area after a competitive encounter that showcased the resilience of Notts County and the attacking prowess of Bradford City's new arrivals.
Read the full video transcript
Hello and welcome to live action from
the EFL this Saturday coming to you from
Meadow Lane, home of Notts County,
>> [cheering]
>> the oldest professional football club in
the world. They returned earlier this
year to League One thanks to a great
Wembley win. Unbeaten thus far with a
lot of draws, but I guess our Bradford
City here who have been all or nothing.
Three victories, three defeats, a good
cup run as well. Right now they are in
the playoff positions, which is where
they finished last term.
Early kickoff in League One and a chance
to get a head start on the rest of this
sixth weekend of league action.
Strong from George Pratt.
His second appearance, this George Pratt
who has come from Blackburn on loan.
Kept his place in the side. Sarcevic on
target. First shot of the game is fairly
tame.
Comfortably gathered by Belshaw.
>> [cheering]
>> Mustapha on the charge here.
And he's strong and he's on target.
It's a huge clearance coming in in the
nick of time from Callum Connolly.
That was in.
He's about 9 inches from a first goal in
senior football there, Hakeeb Adelakun
Mustapha.
Another sharp press and tackle has
worked and it's a pretty blatant
[cheering]
clip that by
Touray on Cooper.
>> [cheering]
>> Short to Finneran.
Flat delivery.
It's been comfortably dealt with and
then not.
Cerullo again, worth a go maybe.
>> [applause]
>> Cracking had his bearings there.
He knew exactly where his near post was.
Mustapha again, they want a penalty.
It's a gentle ask.
And he's not going to get it.
>> [cheering]
>> Mustapha will pick it up here.
Good feet.
Another corner coming.
>> [applause]
>> Gibbons making his move, dangerous.
But dealt with.
So now
back to Finneran, first time.
Pennington with the head on it this
time, then a flick.
>> [cheering]
>> That was dangerous. Could have dropped
anywhere. Lucas Ness
almost ends up on it.
Mustapha
>> [cheering]
[applause]
>> That's a free kick in a shooting
position.
Cerullo
>> [cheering]
>> Not bad.
But not that good either.
Netfield
Jackson
Done well to get any kind of cross in.
It's a dangerous one as well. Finnerman
was there. OH, WHAT A HIT!
GEORGE PRATT
THE GAME THAT REALLY NEEDED A GOAL HAS
GOT ONE AND it is a special one
from a most unlikely source.
The young loanee from Blackburn Rovers
with a wallop to put the Bantams in
front.
Great work from Kayden Jackson.
And look at this for a
James Belshaw hasn't had a thing to do.
But the ball's in the back of his net.
Long throw coming for James Gibbons.
Pointon scrapping away.
Sarscevic has beat Finnerman and the
chase is on.
Jackson's won the chase. Has the shot.
Well, he might have sliced it.
Doubt he was meaning to go for near top
corner, but he very nearly found it.
In the context of this match, that's a
pretty decent chance.
That's excellent from Pennington.
Neville on the sprint here. Can he find
a teammate? Yes, he can. Albeit awkward
for Beesley.
You hesitate to call that a chance
Bradford's new number nine, but it's as
close as this
been one for him in this game.
He was well tracked by Ness.
>> [cheering]
>> It's Callum Roberts.
Fellow new arrival.
Angella
>> [cheering]
>> Cheap foul from Neville.
>> [cheering]
>> Free kick
for the men of price here.
Callum Roberts will deliver.
He'll deliver well.
Onto the head of Lucas Ness.
Same head that scored the second of the
three Wembley goals in the playoff final
against Salford.
Just didn't quite get enough of his head
on this one.
>> [screaming]
[cheering]
>> After that, Nick Powell is onside for
them here.
Feels like a game where if they get 2-0,
that's game over. Powell trying to make
that happen. Scored in midweek.
>> [cheering]
>> Good gallop. [cheering]
By Brunt.
Ness stepping up. It's a ruler here.
They've got plenty forward here, Notts
County. Got to start making things
happen. Shoot, say the fans. Oh, thinner
indeed. And he hit it well.
And it took an outside edge off
someone there.
>> [cheering]
[cheering]
>> Cade Jackson
to absolutely seal it. He's pulled it
wide.
Can they steal a point here? And it
surely would be a steal for Notts
County.
They're nearly all up and in there, but
they've got to get the ball in the box.
They've gone central instead. Ollie
Cooper thought about the shot. He will
now. He's pulled it.
WHAT A CHANCE!
OFFSIDE.
>> [cheering]
>> Nearly nearly the scrappiest equalizer.
>> [cheering]
>> But Connor Grant was off when he scuffed
it home. And I think there might have
been more than one of them that were
off.
Away by Pratt is about to be confirmed
as a a most unlikely match winner here.
O'Keefe
surely try and keep it.
He's won the throw, and the Bradford
fans chant and cheer. They know what
that means.
>> [cheering]
>> They're very very nearly there.
That was the most low-key ending to a
pretty low-key game. He has blown his
whistle, Alex Chilowicz.
And the two former colleagues
shake hands in the technical area. It's
Graham Alexander's Bradford who get the
better of Notts County and Martin
Paterson. For once, County unable to
find an equalizer.
Bradford City's
fourth league win of the season, all
four of them with clean sheets. And
George Pratt,
the least likely match-winning hero with
a wonderful goal, the youngster on loan
from Blackburn.
Top of the table they go. Notts County
nil, Bradford City one.