Huddersfield Town 2, Blackpool 0

Jan 16 2006 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka An uneasy start dropping a cross from Gordon but he recovered well to have a clean sheet. Top tip-over to deny Murphy Rating: 7/10

Andy Holdsworth Fired a shot from a free-kick inches over the top and raided with plenty of menace. Great tackle to set up Taylor-Fletcher Rating: 7/10

Danny Adams Did little wrong, linked well with Schofield and later Smith down the left and put in some crunching challenges Rating: 7/10

Martin McIntosh Caused Blackpool lots of problems in the air before being forced off suffering a groin injury. Great early clearance Rating: 7/10

Nathan Clarke Another quality display and close to top mark as Blackpool were dominated. Sound in every aspect of game Rating: 8/10

Danny Schofield Slotted his 10th goal of the season after having his own penalty blocked by Lee Jones. Made good use of spaces Rating: 7/10

Jon Worthington Back after a two-match ban and earned the penalty when bursting through. Also close with a rasping 18-yard shot Rating: 7/10

Tom Clarke Outstanding performance and first senior goal to set up the victory. Energy and ability combined in superb midfield showcase Rating: 9/10

Chris Brandon Plenty of tricks going forward and no lack of hard graft tackling back in an excellent display on the right flank Rating: 8/10

Andy Booth Superb in the air and never wasted a pass in a dominant first half performance before he had to go off injured Rating: 7/10

Pawel Abbott Still desperate for a goal and showed his frustration when fouling Peter Clarke to reach five bookings and a ban Rating: 7/10

Spotlight on the ref:

Blackpool caretaker boss Simon Grayson described the performance of Clive Oliver as one of the worst he had seen.

He was particularly unhappy with a caution for Marc Joseph when he was merely trying to sort out a melee. A few reckless tackles were allowed to go as the Northumberland official tried to let the game run

Blackpool: Jones, Joseph, Gordon, P Clarke, Butler (Warrender 53), Gobern (Vernon 71), Wilcox, Southern, Morris (Donnelly HT), Murphy, Parker. Subs not used: Pogliacomi, Wiles.