Banned Charlie Wyke adds to Bradford City's problems for New Year's Day clash
![Charlie Wyke](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_96111910.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Charlie Wyke](/img/placeholder.png)
Already without six players for this match, he will miss his leading scorer for the next three games after Wyke was shown the red card for a foul tackle on Canice Carroll in stoppage time.
McCall said: “I don’t think we will be appealing. I think it’s just the way he’s lunged. Charlie hasn’t gone over the top of the ball – it’s just his momentum. Unfortunately, you can’t tackle like that these days.”
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Hide AdCity’s win followed two defeats in four days and McCall said: “Some of our forward play was terrific – we had 30 attempts on goal – it was a really entertaining game, but it was a relief when the referee blew the whistle.”
Wyke put Bradford in front in the second minute after Simon Eastwood had saved Shay McCartan’s header. Eastwood, a loan player for Bradford from Huddersfield Town during McCall’s first spell as manager, then denied the Bantams with a string of fine saves to make sure Oxford were only 1-0 down at half time.
Carroll equalised with a header from Ricardinho’s corner five minutes after the interval, but two goals in five minutes put City back in charge.
McCartan restored their lead with a 25 yard shot after 55 minutes and Tim Dieng scored the third with a header from Tyrell Robinson’s cross in the 59th minute before Jon Obika pulled a goal back for Oxford in the 75th minute to set up a tense finish.
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Hide AdBradford City: Sattelmaier, Hendrie, Knight-Percival, Kilgallon, Robinson, McCartan (Gilliead 72), Dieng, Vincelot, Law, Wyke, Taylor (Patrick 78). Unused substitutes: Raeder (gk), Thompson, Field, Hanson, Gibson.
Oxford United: Eastwood, Carroll, Martin, Mousinho, Ricardinho, Rothwell (Henry 10), Ruffels, Ledson, van Kessel (Payne 74), Thomas (Mehmeti 72), Obika. Unused substitutes: Shearer (gk), Williamson, Tiendalli, Mowatt.
Referee: E Ilderton (Newastle).