City Reserves still searching for first point after derby defeat (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

City Reserves still searching for first point after derby defeat

9:35pm Tuesday 22nd September 2009 in Sport By Sports Desk

Bradford City Reserves 2

Huddersfield Town Reserves 3

Bradford City Reserves are still looking for their first points of the new totesport.com League East campaign after falling to defeat to neighbours Huddersfield Town tonight.

For the second reserve match in succession, the Bantams were to suffer the blow of conceding an own goal - this time through trialist striker Tomi Ameobi.

Ameobi's unfortunate strike into his own net proved decisive in a five-goal affair at the Coral Windows Stadium.

Huddersfield first troubled the scorers through young midfielder James Berrett before Michael Boulding levelled matters on the stroke of half-time.

Berrett's second strike of the fixture helped the experienced Terriers push ahead again.

Rory Boulding joined his brother on the scoresheet to pull the Bantams level once more until Ameobi's contribution ensured the spoils went to Huddersfield.

As well as defeat, the Bantams were hit with the late departure of winger Leon Osborne through injury.

Ameobi and Clive Moyo-Modise were handed their third successive starts with the reserves following their arrival at Valley Parade at the beginning of the month.

There was also a third reserve outing in succession for first-year apprentice midfielder Alex Flett.

Michael Boulding was also named in the starting 11 and partnered Ameobi in attack before being replaced by his brother Rory at half-time.

Opponents Huddersfield named a strong line-up for the fixture that included Lionel Ainsworth and Gary Roberts, both of whom joined the Terriers from Championship sides for six-figure sums.

Paul Stephenson's side also included the likes of Robbie Williams, Lee Novak and Jim Goodwin, who have all tasted first-team action this season at the Galpharm Stadium.

As to be expected, the more experienced Huddersfield side started the stronger, though it was to be the Bantams who created the first scoring opportunity of the match.

Quick feet by Osborne managed to see the young winger clear of Jack Hunt.

Osborne used the space he had just gained to unleash a curling effort goalwards, which Huddersfield goalkeeper Matt Glennon did well to palm away.

The Terriers responded through testing efforts from Nathan Clarke and Ainsworth, both of which were comfortably dealt with by Jon McLaughlin in the Bantams goal.

Moments later, a rasping drive from Williams fell kindly to Novak on the edge of the area. The former Gateshead striker turned on the ball and struck fiercely towards goal, but McLaughlin was well behind the effort and held on comfortably.

Novak was in the action again shortly afterwards when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Bantams' penalty area.

He drove with menace into the box, but his effort, which was on his weaker left foot, sailed harmlessly over.

In the 21st minute, Huddersfield broke the deadlock through young midfielder Berrett.

After winning possession, Goodwin released team-mate Hunt into space on the Bantams left. Hunt advanced with the ball into the City penalty box and squared for Berrett, who beat McLaughlin with ease from close range.

Left back Williams almost doubled the Terriers advantage from a free-kick, his effort flying just wide of McLaughlin's near post.

The Bantams tried to respond to the visitors' pressure with a set-piece of their own as Matthew Clarke headed narrowly over from a Luke Sharry free- kick.

City went even closer minutes later through a fortuitous effort from Sharry.

The midfielder drove into open space on the edge of the Terriers' penalty area before crossing. It looped goalwards and appeared to beat Glennon before bouncing clear via the top of his crossbar.

The visitors continued to hold the lion's share of possession as the match reached the halfway point, with Terriers winger Gary Roberts in particular, being a source of concern to the Bantams defence.

City managed to cause a moment of worry themselves in the Terriers defence minutes before half-time as Glennon was forced into an impressive quickfire double save from Michael Boulding and Ameobi.

Boulding went one better shortly afterwards as he was able to beat Glennon from the edge of his area, via a slight deflection off Terriers defender Clarke.

The goal would prove to be Michael Boulding's last contribution to the match as he was replaced by brother Rory at the start of the second half.

Five minutes into the start of the second period and the visitors retook the lead thanks to a second strike by Berrett.

A forceful run by Hunt helped the young full back pick out Berrett on the edge of the Bantams penalty box.

Berrett glided effortlessly past the advances of a couple of City defenders before beating McLaughlin with an angled drive.

Bantams winger Osborne tried to work his side level with an effort that just missed Glennon's near post, before McLaughlin quickly raced out of his goal to bravely beat Novak to a loose ball only minutes later.

On the approach of the hour mark, Osborne went close again as this time his effort flashed past the Huddersfield custodian's far post.

In the 61st minute, Rory Boulding joined his brother Michael on the scoresheet as the Bantams equalised for a second time.

Ameobi got clear of his marker to head a Osborne corner goalwards. Glennon could only get a hand to Ameobi's effort and Rory Boulding stole in to scramble the ball home from only a few yards out.

The Terriers responded well from the blow of conceding for a second time and went agonisingly close to troubling the scorers again.

A cross from Ainsworth could only be cleared by Phil Cutler as far as Goodwin. The Terriers midfielder took his time to shoot before sending an effort crashing onto the top of McLaughlin's crossbar.

The Bantams would only be level for a matter of six minutes as Huddersfield retook the lead for a third time through an unlikely source.

A testing Ainsworth free-kick could only be diverted into his own net at the far post by Ameobi as the big striker tried to clear under pressure from Novak.

Rory Boulding nearly managed to get on the scoresheet for a second time but for a forceful save from Glennon, then minutes later Berrett missed a golden opportunity for a hat-trick as he blasted over from close range.

The Terriers continued to dominate in the chances stakes as both Novak and strike partner James Spencer tested McLaughlin in quick succession with strong strikes.

With barely five minutes of normal time remaining, David Wetherall decided to give young midfielder Joe Mitchell a brief run out in place of fellow appentice Alex Flett.

As the game reached its closing stages, Novak broke City's offside trap to bear down on McLaughlin's goal.

The recovering Matthew Clarke managed to get back on terms with the Huddersfield striker and take the sting out of his shot with a well-timed tackle.

There was a moment of concern for the Bantams followers as Osborne took a nasty tumble into an advertising hoarding. Following a brief period of treatment to his left knee, the winger was able to continue.

Unfortunately though, shortly afterwards it became clear Osborne couldn't feature any longer and departed from the field, leaving the Bantams to drop to ten men.

City's ten men didn't receive a chance to engineer a way back into the match, however, as shortly afterwards, referee A J Madley brought an end to proceedings.

Bradford City Reserves: McLaughlin, Cutler, Villerman, Flett (Mitchell 85), Horne, M Clarke, Moyo-Modise (Nathan Clarke 78), Sharry, Ameobi, M Boulding (R Boulding HT), Osborne. Substitutes (not used): Cheetham, Collantine.

Huddersfield Town Reserves: Glennon, Hunt, Williams, Berrett, Nathan Clarke (Franks 59), McChrystal, Ainsworth, Goodwin, Novak, Spencer, Roberts (Ridehalgh 59). Substitutes (not used): Allinson, Nightingale, Harris.

Referee: A J Madley