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The Clarets started with just one change in the starting eleven from the midweek defeat against Forest, Dean West replaced Lee Roche at right back. Other than that it was as you were, the team, formation and early tactics, a repeat of the Forest game.
Dean Wideass was first to try his luck in the game, but a pass like shot was easy fodder for Jensen. In the early stages of the half, Clarets looked leggy, slow and predictable with many passes going astray. Shoot on sight was perhaps a little tongue in cheek when Blake tried his luck from thirty five yards, much to the amusement of his former supporters in the visiting end, who were quite content to taunt their former hero.
Needless to say, Marlon was equal to the shot, as he was moments later, when Ian Moore tried a rather weak left footer. Michael Branch, looking decidedly offside, saw his shot saved by Jensen as the visitors had a rare break away.
Frustrated by his strikers weak efforts Todd then joined the next attack and saw his shot, though wide, warmly applauded, at least for lifting what was a drab game. Todd and West combined in some shoddy defending, allowing Summerbee a rash hack at the ball, gratefully received by the Jimmy Mac Upper Tier.
Blake began to antagonise his previous supporters and the visiting defence when, on the half hour, his teasing cross just eluded Facey at the far post, before West was easily skinned by Bratfer's best player on the day Emanuel, the dangerous cross well cleared by an alert Todd.
Marlon's gloves had their first proper test five minutes from the break, but they were at full stretch to keep out Blake's shot as the game finally began to come to life. Five minutes from the break and the tune of Tom Hark sounded courtesy of Ian Moore's close range finish past a helpless Beresford after ooh aah Grantona's winning tackle had set Blake on his way.
Bratfer's attempted reply was quick and a sleeping West was caught by a ball inside him allowing Emanuel time to shoot at Jensen, who deflected rather than saved the low shot rather unconvincingly away for a corner. So that was that from the initial forty five, Mr Dean's toot, allowing the cheerleaders on in their alternate and much more pleasing white outfits; well at least there is some claret and blue in this strip. HT 1-0.
Into the second with tummy bug victim Grantona replaced by Weller, Clarets as in midweek finding a higher tempo at the start of the second half.
Five minutes in and the lead should have been doubled. Blake's neat run across the box ended with a shot seeing Marlon at full stretch and failing to hold the ball which fell invitingly to Delroy, who with 24 * 8 to aim at and from all of five yards missed the target completely when shooting with his weaker left foot.
A head in the hands moment, as Facey lost facey in the most embarrassing of moments. Whilst Delroy struggled to regain his composure he could be thankful to his Bolton compatriot Farrelly that the miss was not too costly, as five minutes later the midfield maestro on the day, found Chadwick with an excellent cross-field pass.
Briefly forgetting the shoot on sight policy, Chadwick delayed his shot, before cutting inside his man and then placing a curled left footer well beyond Marlon's outstretched finger tips. Cue Tom Hark once again as the ball nestled in the bottom corner for 2-0.
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Blake's back heel set up Camara for a run down the left hand wing and his whipped in cross was only half cleared to the edge of the area from where Chadwick unleashed a great first time volley, the ball finding the top right corner of Beresford's net; game over.
The traffic was now well and truly one way; Bratfer's midfield joined its defence in the anonymity department as Clarets overran their visitors. Even Ian Moore had a shot, but again Beresford was equal to it.
There was an eye watering moment for Camara, taking a shot into the most delicate of regions and a cold, wet sponge was needed to bring him back to his feet. Edds replaced Gavin just before Clarets made it four and still with twenty more enjoyable minutes to watch.
Once again a glorious through ball came from the inspiration of Farrelly, but oh Robbie Robbie's nonchalant finish, curling first time off the outside of his right boot from twenty yards, was a finish of top quality leaving Marlon with absolutely no chance whatsoever.
It was all too much for many a Bantam and the exit gates were made for by a mini procession eager to get back over the border. May was replaced by, tonight Matthew I'm going to be a centre half Branch, then Farrelly by Chaplow, as Stan dished out the win bonus'.
The game was far from over for the Clarets and Delroy hit the facey of the bar, when shooting on the turn, desperate to atone for his earlier miss. Chaplow was next up and his half volley from twenty five yards was well saved by Marlon as a Claret quartet closed in looking for scraps, the Clarets now looking eager to add to the goals for column.
Down the other end there were brief alarm bells ringing, Jensen on his backside as the ball was ballooned over in a rare Bratfer attack. Still going five minutes from time was Facey and his downward header was smothered by Beresford after a good deep cross from man of the match Blake.
Into sponsored added on time and Jensen was down smartly to tip away Heckinbottom's rasping drive, the clean sheet as important as the four goal margin. Neat ball skill from Chaplow set Blake on his way in the last minute and his long, unchecked run down the centre of the pitch ended with Marlon equal to the well struck shot.
Much arm waving from the visiting end greeted Mr Dean's final whistle, much hand clapping was the response from the home stands as Clarets moved up to the top half the division, deservedly claiming their first home league win over the Bantams in sixty-six years. FT 4-0.
Star Gazer
Dean West. Seems a bit harsh to nominate one on a day of many positives. However, a failure to deal with the threat from Bratfer's right where Emmanuel was superior, earns our Dean this illustrious prize.
Beer Money
What a difference shooting makes. There was little difference from the midweek performance where probably Clarets played better and lost. It will be interesting to see the size of the squad midweek at Scunthorpe and the true actual team able to take to the field in Carling Cup action.
Star Geezer
Robbie Blake. A close run thing between Gareth Farrelly who created two of the goals, but Blake's overall quality, effort and determination to put one over his former club resulted in a teasing performance of high quality.
Champagne Tastes
Marvellous, absolutely bloody marvellous this performance, leaving Clarets handily placed and only three points off a play off spot. Stan may not like upward thoughts, but setting an ambition of survival undermines a team that can create so many scoring chances.