DAVID Hopkin joked that teenager Eliot Goldthorp will struggle to sleep after firing City’s winning penalty against Everton’s under-21s at Valley Parade.
The 17-year-old dispatched the decisive spot-kick to give the Bantams the bonus-point victory in their Checkatrade Trophy group game.
City won 6-5 on penalties after George Miller’s late equaliser clinched a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes.
Midfielder Goldthorp came off the bench for Jim O’Brien in the second half and Hopkin was thrilled with the young debutant.
The City boss said: “He showed a lot of composure for a 17-year-old, some of his passing was great. He is way beyond his years for a young kid.
“To come on and score the winning penalty was fantastic. He’ll probably not sleep tonight because he’ll be delighted.
“As a young player, you always remember your first goal. It’s a great memory.”
City fielded eight starters from the Doncaster defeat as they ended a run of five successive losses.
Hopkin added: “I thought we played really well in spells in the game.
“It was a wee bit harsh to go 1-0 down and we showed great composure to score a fantastic goal.
“It’s great to get a bit of momentum now.
“Everton were a very good side. There are three or four players who are around and about the first team squad.
“You’re not playing against a team of kids. There are boys who have played Premier League football.
“It becomes a tough game but I think with our fitness levels in the last 10-15 minutes, it was no more than we deserved.”
