Reuser brace stuns Bantams

Ashley Ward battles for the ball with Jim Magilton

Ipswich 3-1 Bradford

Martijn Reuser stole the show as Ipswich came from behind to seal a much deserved victory over struggling Bradford City in a thrilling contest at Portman Road.

The former Ajax hitman silenced the visiting fans, scoring two stunning goals and making a third to catapult George Burley's seemingly indomitable side into a Champions League spot.

Benito Carbone tore up the form book to give Bradford a shock early lead with a stunning drive from 35 yards.

Scowcroft controls the ball

But Ipswich hauled their way back into the match, with a wonderful individual effort from Reuser.

Reuser then added a brilliant second before Mark Burchill put Bradford to the sword after a brilliant centre from the unstoppable Dutchman.

Ipswich began the game purposefully, with Jim Magilton escaping down the right before delivering a low penetrating cross.

Burchill, on loan from Celtic, cleverly dummied the ball, allowing Scowcroft to send a stinging shot but Walsh was equal to the challenge.

It was the first of a number of good chances for the hosts.

In their next escapade into the visitor's territory, Titus Bramble steered a header wide of the Bradford upright after good work from the tireless Magilton.

McGreal foul

Then Reuser escaped the clutches of his marker in the Bradford box to send a thunderous volley goalwards.

However walsh somehow got his body int he way to deny the Dutchman his first goal of the season.

But despite the steady flow of chances falling Ipswich's way, Town were rocked as the Bantams took a shock lead through a wondrous long-range strike from Benito Carbone.

John McGreal fouled Ashley Ward 35 yards from goal.

Eoin Jess touched the resultant free-kick to the diminutive Italian and Richard Wright was left clutching at thin air as the shot arrowed past the England man's despairing dive.

Booked

Burley withdrew Magilton, arguably Ipswich's best player during the first period, at the interval and sent on Alun Armstrong up front with Scowcroft reverting to midfield.

Walsh was forced into action almost immediately, juggling a Bramble header around a post and getting booked by Andy d'Urso for protesting at the award of a corner.

Bramble headed another Reuser corner over the top, before the Dutch international winger fired in a fine leveller, all of his own making.

He dispossessed Andy O'Brien on the left, raced into the area, cut back inside the chasing centre-back before curling a crisp shot beyond Wright and into the far corner.

Reuser has great ability and has taken time to adapt to the Premiership

  George Burley

Jim Jefferies' side were counting the cost of a Carbone gaffe moments later when Reuser scored his and the Blues' second with another free-kick.

Bradford, unlike the home side for Carbone's drive, constructed a four-man wall but it made scant difference as the winger whipped the ball over the bodies in front of him and inside Walsh's left-hand post.

A third was soon to follow and once again the lively Reuser was involved. His corner from the left was bulleted goalwards by Hreidarsson's forehead and the slightest of touches from Burchill guided it past Walsh.

The win moves Ipswich into third position and leaves plucky Bradford pondering what might have been had their defence matched Ipswich's passion-packed attack in the second half.

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Ipswich: Richard Wright, Wilnis, McGreal, Bramble, Hreidarsson, Reuser, Magilton, Holland, Jermaine Wright, Scowcroft, Burchill. Subs: Branagan, Armstrong, Clapham, Brown, Abidallah.

Bradford: Walsh, Wetherall, Molenaar, O'Brien, Myers, Hopkin, McCall, Locke, Jess, Carbone, Ward. Subs: Whalley, Blake, Davison, Halle, Jacobs.

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay)