Birmingham City and Bradford City have both advanced to the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy, showcasing their resilience with narrow 1-0 triumphs in their respective matches. This victory marks a remarkable achievement for Birmingham, who previously clinched the trophy in the 1990-91 and 1994-95 seasons.

Birmingham City Shows Dominance

The Blues squared off against Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium, displaying intense control throughout the match. Despite Birmingham's offensive persistence, they found themselves thwarted multiple times by the heroics of goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond. It wasn't until the dying moments, with just seven minutes remaining, that Jay Stansfield found the net, following a perfectly timed through-ball from Marc Leonard. This crucial goal not only sealed Birmingham's place in the semi-finals but also extended their impressive unbeaten streak to 18 matches across all competitions.

Bradford City's Determined Victory

Meanwhile, Bradford City, competing in League Two, faced a tough challenge against the current EFL Trophy champions, Rotherham United. The Bantams secured their victory when a foul on Brad Halliday led to a penalty opportunity, which was confidently converted by Richard Smallwood, smashing the ball into the roof of the net just before the hour mark. This victory adds to Bradford's growing confidence as they aspire for cup glory this season.

Upcoming Quarter-Finals

In other EFL Trophy action, Wrexham triumphed over Port Vale with a convincing 4-1 victory, setting them up for an exciting clash against Bolton in the quarter-finals. Additionally, Peterborough is set to face Cheltenham to determine the last remaining quarter-finalist.

The stage is now set for an exhilarating conclusion to the EFL Trophy, with both Birmingham and Bradford aiming to add another silverware to their cabinets. Fans eagerly await to see who lifts the trophy this year!