Bradford City 1, Huddersfield Town 2

Oct 11 2005 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PUMPED-UP Town paraded their promotion credentials for the nation last night in a stirring show of derby dominance.

Almost 3,000 travelling fans turned the Bradford and Bingley Stadium into a blue and white beanfeast as local legend Andy Booth grabbed a sensational late winner.

It was no more than Peter Jackson's fearless warriors deserved for a commanding display in front of the live Sky TV cameras which catapulted them into second place in the table.

On this form, they will be hard to dislodge.

While Mark Hudson (with his first goal for the club) and Bobby Petta exchanged free-kicks in the first half, Town controlled all bar 15 minutes of a pulsating set-to which was excellently refereed by Tony Leake.

The Lancashire official let the game flow admirably - and it was Town who flourished under the inspired leadership of midfield marshal Jon Worthington.

Crashing through tackles, blocking bravely and stamping clear studmarks of superiority, Worthington set a winning example which others were only too willing to follow.

Nathan Clarke and the returning David Mirfin protected Paul Rachubka so well he barely had a save to make, Andy Holdsworth and Danny Adams bottled potential danger down the flanks and the whole midfield unit bristled with ruthless efficiency.

Then, up front, Town had Booth winning most things in the air, Gary Taylor-Fletcher chasing lost causes for fun and feared leading marksman Pawel Abbott waiting in the wings for a cameo contribution which edged Bradford towards breaking point.

Jackson and coach Terry Yorath deserve huge credit for preparing the team so well after the disappointment against Bournemouth and if any team was found wanting in this breakneck confrontation, it was Bradford.

While no-one could accuse Colin Todd's men of shirking the battle, it seemed Town were that little bit hungrier throughout and it told in a second half when pressure built to Booth's victorious crescendo.