Player Ratings - Bradford City H

Last updated : 09 August 2009 By Jacob Daniel
Starting Line-Up

Russell Hoult - 7 - Was hardly a taxing day at the office for the Notts 'keeper, who only had some routine saves to make against a toothless Bradford side. He did, however, look far more confident than either he or Kevin Pilkington has looked in pre-season and couldn't be criticised for anything today.

Brendan Moloney - 8 - A superb competitive Notts debut for the young Forest loanee who capped his performance with the best goal of the match. He struck up an instant rapport with Craig Westcarr and got forward well all match, rarely giving the ball away and getting a couple of shots in on goal. Was assured defensively despite being rarely troubled and topped it off by waltzing through the Bradford defence to score Notts' fifth.

John Thompson - 7 - Wasn't a particularly difficult day for the Notts captain, but Thompson was solid and commanding, winning everything he had to in the air and not giving either Thorne or Boulding an inch. Was also confident in possession and knocked the ball out with confidence at the back and did well to calm down Luke Rodgers when it looked like the forward could get sent off.

Graeme Lee - 7 - Just like Thompson, Graeme Lee had an easy but faultless game. Gobbled up long balls by winning every single thing in the air and his lack of pace was rarely exposed by any of Bradford's four strikers. Also looked confident in possession and proved a point to his former club.

Stephen Hunt - 8 - A surprise inclusion on the Notts team sheet, Hunt looked like the player he was before injuries ruined his last two seasons at Meadow Lane. Playing at left back Hunt was far more composed on the ball than he has seemed in the past and dealt easily with the threat of Joe Colbeck. Means Jamie Clapham has a real fight on his hand to regain his place in the side.

Craig Westcarr - 8 - Another surprise starter, Westcarr repaid Ian McParland's faith with an excellent performance on the right wing. Gave highly rated full back Luke O'Brien a torrid afternoon and whipped in a couple of teasing crosses, including the one leading to Notts' third goal. Linked up well with Moloney and showed some neat touches and incisive passing.

Ricky Ravenhill - 8 - Charging around the pitch like a man possessed at times, Ravenhill certainly lived up to the hard man reputation he brought with him from Darlington. Won every single challenge he went in for, but also surprised by coming away with the ball and neatly keeping possession. Covered every blade of grass on the pitch and allowed some of Notts' more talented players to shine.

Neal Bishop - 9 - A superb performance from the debutant midfielder, who completely dominated the centre of the pitch all afternoon. His positioning meant he could regain possession for Notts at ease and he was crunching in the tackle when necessary. He didn't give the ball away once and was always looking to play the ball in behind for Rodgers and Hughes and also made a couple of intelligent bursting runs himself when spotting an opportunity.

Ben Davies - 7 - Bagged his first Magpies goal but still looks wasted on the left wing and hopefully Notts will snap up a natural left footed winger soon enough so Davies can be employed in the centre where he can really shine. That said, he was excellent in possession and kept the ball well and took his goal with aplomb, bursting into the box to score a well placed header.

Lee Hughes - 10 - What more to say other than that Hughes bagged himself a debut hat-trick at Meadow Lane and was perilously close to a fourth. All in only an hour. Was always looking to drop deep, pick the ball up and link play and also made some clever balls in behind. Hughes' first and Notts' second summed up his value to the side though, when clean through no one in Meadow Lane had a doubt he would score. Notts have missed such a composed finisher for a long time and as long as the service keeps coming then Hughes will be the division's top scorer quite comfortably.

Luke Rodgers - 8 - Won't quite understand how he didn't get on the scoresheet and his tireless running and superb work rate definitely deserved a goal. Never giving a defender a second on the ball, Rodgers was in the faces of the Bradford side to such an extent that they began to ignore Hughes and concentrate on him, giving his partner the opportunities to bag a hat-trick. Has formed an instant bond with Hughes and although he should probably have had a hat-trick himself he looks vital to the Magpies at the minute.

Substitutes

Jamie Clapham - 7 - Brought on for Ben Davies who had picked up a knock, Clapham had a half to impress and did fine for the Magpies. In truth the second half was like an exhibition match but Clapham was happy to get in on the act, never giving the ball away and always making himself available for a pass.

Karl Hawley - 7 - Got half an hour when brought on for Lee Hughes but now finds himself really having to impress against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night, when he is likely to start. Not that Hawley did anything wrong, just the two strikers in front of him were immense. In his time on the pitch Hawley held up the ball well, linked up play and was unlucky not to score himself.

Matt Hamshaw - 7 - Last year's player of the season found himself on the bench, presumably due to a pre-season campaign that has been distrupted by a niggling toe injury. Will find it difficult to displace Craig Westcarr now, but did himself no harm when on the pitch by showing some neat touches and clever passing when Notts were knocking the ball about with confidence.

Man of the Match

Lee Hughes - A debut hat-trick. The scary thing is he had plenty of competition despite that feat.