City slickers!

When former Bradford University student Iffy Onuora put Swindon Town ahead after just three minutes of this entertaining clash, searching questions were being asked of Bradford City.

The Robins were unbeaten at the County Ground for two-and-a-half months, and former City star Jimmy Quinn must have been confident of his side extending that impressive run.

However, after an initial wobbly period which followed Onuora's strike, the Bantams not only dug in to match the home side for effort, but also played a sweeping brand of football which destroyed battling Swindon.

City were outstanding, and could very easily have carved out a further two or three goals.

As is becoming the norm this season, the midfield pairing of Stuart McCall and Gareth Whalley took control of the centre of the field, their crisp passing game being married with a dogged determination to win every challenge.

McCall used all his experience to ensure he had as much time on the ball as possible, and I cannot recall a misplaced pass from him all afternoon.

Outside this midfield pairing, Peter Beagrie and Jamie Lawrence used the ball intelligently to terrorise both full backs, while the impressive strike duo of Lee Mills and Robbie Blake deservedly grabbed two goals apiece.

Blake, in particular, was outstanding, his pace and awareness causing Swindon problems all afternoon.

The pair combined for City's first two goals to illustrate the understanding they have developed in what is only a short space of time.

Blake's determination saw him win the ball from two Swindon midfielders before the equally determined Mills steered the ball into his strike partner's path, Blake running on and chipping the ball delightfully over Frank Talia.

However, it was Mills' opening goal just three minutes after the break which was by far the most impressive. The move was as simple as it was devastating, and a great illustration of just how good City can be this season.

McCall rolled the ball out wide to Stephen Wright and, after seeing Blake's intelligent run into space, he pushed the ball down the right wing.

Blake, in turn, looked up and hit a first time cross for Mills to sweep past Talia for one of the most impressive goals City will score in this or any other season.

The Bantams then confirmed their superiority with a bullet header from Mills on the hour, before Blake wrapped up the scoring with just seven minutes remaining.

It was a marvellous afternoon for City, although the dismissal of Mills after 75 minutes did slightly mar the Bantams' performance.

City's top scorer had been harshly booked for a challenge on Mark Robinson in the first half, so when he drove the ball away after being found offside, there was only one decision referee Andy D'Urso could make, and Mills was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon.

It was a needless act and means City will be without Mills for the testing trip to Bolton on Boxing Day.

His dismissal was the second of the game, with the home fans claiming Scott Leitch's 49th-minute red card changed the game.

However, that thinking just does not ring true because the Bantams were well in control by that stage and Leitch deserved to be given his marching orders.

He launched a dreadful two-footed tackle at Darren Moore, which led to an angry reaction from the normally mild-mannered City defender.

Just 30 seconds earlier, Leitch had launched a similar two-footed lunge on Blake, with the City man thankfully managing to pull his leg out of the way or he could have suffered a nasty injury.

This may have played a part in the referee's decision to brandish the red card although, in truth, he can have few complaints.

City then confirmed their superiority with two further goals to leave the delighted fans and players to make the long trip home in a fine mood.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.