Match report: Bradford City 0-0 Port Vale
Bruno Ribeiro’s first game as Port Vale manager ended with nine debutants and a clean sheet at Valley Parade.
Ribeiro named six debutants in his starting eleven – Nathan Smith, Paulo Tavares, Anthony Defreitas, Jerome Thomas, Rigino Cicilia and Kjell Knops. JJ Hooper was on the bench alongside five Vale newcomers.
The Valiants were on the back foot for the first-half with the home side rattling the bar and also having an effort from former Valiant Mark Marshall cleared off the line. Vale were restricted to efforts from Tavares and Nathan Smith.
After ten minutes of the second period Vale brought on another debutant as Mbamba replaced Defreitas and then Tavares received Vale’s first booking of the new season. He then went close to opening Vale’s account with a curling effort.
The Valiants defence was holding firm as the match reached the final period and Cicilia was replaced with yet another debutant in Anton Forrester. Vale’s ninth and final debutant saw Quentin Pereira replace veteran Jerome Thomas. Mbamba went close twice in the final stages but a new-look Port Vale side will be happy with an away point in their first outing.