Charlie Wyke treble downs Bristol Rovers

Posted Saturday, September 02, 2017 by PA

Striker Charlie Wyke scored a hat-trick as Bradford earned a deserved 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers in the lunchtime kick-off at Valley Parade.

Wyke, who missed the Bantams' first three matches with a hamstring injury, put his side in front after 13 minutes with his first goal of the season - the result of sustained home pressure. Skipper Romain Vincelot headed Tony McMahon's right-wing corner into his path and Wyke volleyed the ball into the net from close range.

There was a let off for Bradford in the 36th minute when defender Nat Knight-Percival managed to block Byron Moore's header on the line, but the home side took charge in the second half.

Wyke increased their lead in the 62nd minute with a header from another McMahon corner and completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, heading the ball into the net from close range when Jake Reeves found him unmarked at the far post.

The visitors scored a consolation goal nine minutes from time when substitute Tom Nichols' shot rebounded off the post and Billy Bodin fired into the empty net for his sixth league and cup goal of the season.