Bradford City 0, Huddersfield Town 0

Nov 21 2005 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Turning Point

Town always seem to be slow starters each second half. They conceded after 47 minutes at Yeovil and almost repeated it again when Mark Bower sent a Steve Schumacher free kick crashing against the righthand post. That was the closest either side went to scoring, although Paul Rachubka made a couple of smart saves

Man of the Match: Nathan Clarke

Set the standard by winning a succession of early headers, he deserved the clean sheet for his alert covering and sharp tackling. Brought the best out of his back line colleagues too

How they rated

Paul Rachubka Blocked excellently from Cadamarteri at the near post and also made a brave save at the feet of the speedy striker. Solid Rating: 7/10

Andy Holdsworth Played his part in some decent attacks when finding space on the right. Shackled Morrison while Cadamarteri was a threat Rating: 7/10

Danny Adams His brilliant covering tackle prevented a goal from Morrison on the break after only eight minutes. Good display Rating: 7/10

David Mirfin Very efficient at the back and went as close as anyone to scoring for Town with a near-post header on 14 minutes Rating: 7/10

Nathan Clarke Commanding display at the back from start to finish. Never gave Dean Windass a look-in and was Town's top man Rating: 8/10

Tony Carss Made some well-timed covering tackles and sprayed the ball nicely at times but just could not find a breakthrough Rating: 7/10

Jon Worthington Close to a top mark with his workrate in the centre against Crooks and Schumacher. Hard to find clear openings Rating: 7/10

Danny Schofield Unlucky not to score when his goalbound shot hit Schumacher right in front of goal. Kept the visitors on their toes Rating: 7/10

Gary T-Fletcher Troubled Bradford early on with his strong runs down the right. Linked well and his best effort was blocked by Bower Rating: 7/10

Andy Booth Another commendable display and might have scored twice late on with headers from Tony Carss' free kicks. Rating: 7/10

Pawel Abbott One or two daft flicks detracted from his performance but he was a marked man. Off with a gashed knee Rating: 7/10

Spotlight on the ref:

A very good performance by Lancashire's Lee Mason, although it was never the sort of derby which was going to bubble over.

He clamped down on Windass with a booking after five minutes and rightly cautioned Steve Schumacher in the second half for a high challenge on Abbott. Kept control well throughout

Bradford City: Ricketts; Stewart, Wetherall, Bower, Emanuel; Bridge-Wilkinson, Crooks, Schumacher, Morrison (Petta 78); Windass, Cadamarteri. Subs not used: Howarth, Claridge, Kearney, Holloway.