Conlon grabs five in City goalfest

9:14pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

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Bradford City Reserves 7, Grimsby Reserves 1

Barry Conlon scored five and Rory Boulding grabbed a brace as Bradford City opened their Central League East home campaign with a flurry of goals.

The visitors fielded a young side due to their seniors being in Carling Cup action tomorrow, while City had Brazilian trialist Italo Maciel, released by Icelandic side IBV Iprottafelag, playing in midfield with a host of senior players.

It was with one of City's first attacks in the fifth minute that the rout started when, following a long pass by Mark Bower, the ball was flicked wide by Conlon to Leon Osborne, who raced into the box and pulled the ball back for Conlon to slot home.

Maciel almost made it two five minutes later when he headed wide after Boulding crossed from the left.

Grimsby levelled in the 16th minute when Peter Bore received the ball with his back to goal. Simon Ainge raced in to challenge and the ball broke and Bore found himself one-on-one with Cty's Jon McLaughlin and slipped it under the advancing keeper.

However, City were back in front two minutes later when Boulding received the ball on the edge of the area before turning and shooting at Leigh Overton.

The Town keeper saved well but the ball went loose and Conlon was on hand to tap it home.

Number three came in the 21st minute when Luke O'Brien crossed from the left after an over-lapping run.

A Grimsby defender cleared but the ball broke to Boulding, who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Conlon almost had his hat-trick in the 35th minute when a long ball from Bower saw Kyle Nix clear down the left.

Just keeping the ball in play, Nix crossed and with Conlon unmarked he shot at the keeper who just kept hold of the ball.

Two minutes before the break the Mariners were unlucky when Kiel Thompson worked a good opening down the left and his cross fell invitingly to Jamie Steele but his shot rippled the side- netting with all the goal to aim at.

The goals continued to come City's way in the second half and it was Conlon who made it 4-1 five minutes after the restart, a Nix cross allowing him to head home.

A fine run from O'Brien started the move for City's fifth. Running from halfway, he beat a couple of players and played in Luke Sharry on the left, who crossed for Conlon to head in at the back post.

The visitors were now thoroughly demoralised by the rampant Bantams, who made it six in the 63rd minute, Boulding scoring his second goal with a half-volley just inside the area.

City were seven up a minute later when Conlon was played in from just inside the area. He created a yard of space and slotted home beyond Overton.

Defender TJ Moncur almost got in on the act in the 80th minute.

The ball broke free to him after Overton punched clear from a corner. Moncur's shot from 25 yards out was clawed clear at the last second as it was heading towards to top corner of the net.

By now Overton had seen enough of Conlon and with seven minutes remaining, was grateful to see the striker's diving header go just wide.

Bradford City Reserves: Jon McLaughlin, Thomas Moncur, Luke O'Brien, Luke Sharry, Simon Ainge, Mark Bower, Leon Osborne, Italo Maciel, Barry Conlon, Rory Boulding, Kyle Nix. Substitutes: Luke Dean (for Osborne), Kelvin Bleau (for Nix), Matthew Convey, Adrian bellamy, Rory Carson.

Grimsby Town Reserves: Leigh Overton, Grant Normington, Craig Parker, Jamie Steele, Mark Gray, Matthew Bird, Liam Davis, Drew Rhodes, Danny North, Peter Bore, Kiel Thompson. Substitutes: Danny Freeman (for Thompson), Sam Woods (for Normington), Nathan Dixon (for Steele), Bradley Wood, Josh Fuller.

Referee: R Joyce