 The run is finally over for Bradford City. Finishing 2022 with a victory that ends a run of four stroke losses in all competitions. They've lifted the weight of Mark Hughes' shoulders. But there's no time to pat themselves on the back with a big battle this New Year's Day. And Salford City come to town. The hosts are unbeaten in three in the league, but more importantly, sitting right behind Bradford in the table. The win will leapfrog the hosts to propel Neil Woods' men into the playoff spot, to place what many expect Salford City to be, come the end of this season. Both those in attendance and the two clubs pay in tribute to the great Brazilian forward, and Riz Pele, who we sadly lost over the festive period. This could be a big six-pointer come the end of the season. One that both these sides will look back on and perhaps see as season changing or defining a game. The moment is the hosts that are pushing forward and looking brightest early on. They're pulling towards the top of the 18-yard box. That'll do nicely. Celebration from Fadin Oliver. I'm not sure he's got a touch judging by his reaction. The stadium announcer's given it to him. I just wonder if Sirle actually nudged it in. I think it's come off the defender's head. It's going to be an own goal inside the first ten minutes, but Bradford have the breakthrough. The perfect way to start the new calendar year. The probing long ball over the top. Mark Hughes' men looking to utilise that quite often in the early exchanges, although that's a little clumsy from his defence as Pele feeds it through. Flag staying down for the moment, fine save by Lewis. Brilliant stop from the goalkeeper to deny Matt Smith, who's been in excellent form over this Christmas period. Does well, just a time is run. Considering the form he's been in, you're a little surprised to see him miss that. Just trying to play it out from the back and move it downfield in the inverted commas right manner. Ah, the away side. That'll be a free kick as that tackle certainly wasn't in the right manner. It's a long way out. Might not be worth a shot, but certainly try and create something to send into the box. That's exactly what they'll do. What floats it in. It's going to be nodded back across goal. Pele was the intended target, couldn't get onto it. Corner to come. Hanging ball into the area, Smith the intended man. He will wait for another delivery, another bit of service. A free shot at the back post and emphatic finish that. McElaney with a wonderful hit. And it's even Stevens inside 15 minutes. He's got a lot of room and a lot of time to judge this, but this is no easy finish. Looping down to him. It's so controlled and so well executed from the 30-year-old. What a bad way to get you aside back level pegging. Little check inside by Folds, who waits to see what's available to him. How are they sending it wide? She wants to probe down the right and he's going to flash all the way across. And that one is going to be Oliver's goal. Look for a second like it could be another own goal from the away side. But for Dean Oliver making sure and tucking it in from close range. Three goals inside half an hour. And Bradford City back ahead once again. And this one will count for the centre forward. Off for the crossbar. And as easy a finish as you'll get as a striker. Just a second in the league this season. His first one since September. Clipped in, cleared away, but not well away. Bradford making life very difficult indeed. That's all for defence. Well saved by King. They're going to get two hands on it, the goalkeeper. Just a bit of spin that turned it back towards him as well, made life a little easier. Smaller gives it short. Right-dropping deep. Continuing the progress. Watch it back as well. Lovely ball towards the far post, although it's not the intended outcome. Stuck on the volley. A very good save. Quick reactions from King to deny right. He was waiting patiently for something to come his way. He almost took his opportunity. Neat and tidy around the top of the 18-yard box. That's right, can't be the first man corner. You get the feeling that the hosts want to put this one to bed. Give themselves a little bit of breathing room here. Very crowded in the six-yard box. It's going to be difficult for King to come and collect anything. He's not going to have to at the moment. We might have to deal with that. It's up the post. Almost everybody caught off guard. I'm not sure if it was a cross or a shot. The Welsh goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Maybe even taken a deflection that just guided away from everyone. Salford survived for now. Plenty trying to join and support the break, but that's going to be a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area. And a booking as well for the challenge. The man that won the free kick might fancy the free kick kit. And he's going to hit it. Oh, he's going to find the back of the net with a pitch. Two super strikes. Conor McElhaney with an emphatic way once more to pull his side level. Right on the hour mark. The goals are like buses. You wait a while and then two turn up very quickly indeed. And two finishes as well. The highest order from that man today. Keeps the away side back level and back in this game. Untidy challenge from behind. The ball count. The change is coming here. Sutton being replaced by Abba Issa. And looks forward from the free kick. Issa's there! It's his first touch. The goons after coming off the bench. It's an inspired substitution from Mark Hughes. And an immediate payoff for the manager. And for the man that's just come on. Not tracked, not looked at. And the header back across goal finds him perfectly. First goal for the club. For the centre forward. And on this near side, if they can move it out to it. All right, sending it back into the middle. Gets it back at his feet. Oh, that's a delicious pass through. It's just touched wide. King committed and got it all wrong. Gamey Walker aren't able to provide that final finish. Just a little heavy. Getting a feeling there could still be more to come in this one. Room to roam on the left. Torek didn't know changes from the away side. They're having to stick with the original starting 11. They may pay off as well. Oh, it's off the crossbar. Oh, how did that stay out? Rooms for Bradford with the free kick to come. But this is what tested them just a moment ago. Gally, no idea almost whether to use his head or legs and gets all in a bit of confusion with himself by King. The home supporters want the full-time whistle. It's not coming yet. There's a lot of room on this near side too. Going to be flashed towards goal. And again, still not cleared away. Smith with the effort. Greatfully held by Harry Lewis. And will hold on as long as possible as he can to this. No kindly to the striker, but it's not been his day. Bounce to get it into the penalty area. It's not going to happen for Solford today. Bradford bounce back from their losing run with back-to-back wins to finish 2022 and begin 2023. They don't fit in the table with a game in hand over the other three sides in the playoff spot. It's a huge result for Mark Hughes' manage. Frustrating for Solford who perhaps will feel they could have got something out of this encounter. But a five-goal thriller kicks off the new year in style. It finishes. Bradford three, Solford two.