New Bradford boss David Hopkin suffers defeat in first game against Charlton

Posted Sunday, September 16, 2018 by PA

Charlton spoiled new head coach David Hopkin’s first home match in charge of Bradford with a 2-0 victory at Valley Parade.

To complete a miserable afternoon for the Bradford boss, both he and one of his assistants, Greg Abbott, were booked by referee Jeremy Simpson during a frantic second half as the Bantams tried in vain to force an equaliser.

It was Bradford’s fourth defeat in a row – a result that sees them slip into the relegation zone.

Charlton went ahead in the third minute when the home defence failed to cut out Lewis Page’s long ball into the inside channel for striker Karlan Ahearne-Grant to latch onto before slotting home a cool finish.

Bradford dominated the start of the second half and had a claim for a penalty after 67 minutes when defender Jason Pearce appeared to pull back Ryan McGowan, but the referee turned down their appeals – a decision that led to Hopkin being booked for protesting.

However, Charlton put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining when Lyle Taylor doubled their advantage with a superb angled effort into the far corner.