THE TOWN ARE GOING UP. For this first time this season (that i've heard), we were treated to a chant that really reflects the mood around Huddersfield Town at the minute. Enthusiasm, excitement and expectation in ways that have not been experienced at the Galpharm Stadium in many a year. The Terriers took on Danny Wilson's Robins in a match where the majority of the home support were expecting a comfortable Town win.
Buoyed by superb support from the South Stand, Town took to the field with an unchanged lineup from last week's draw at Northamptom, and for once on home turf started the game brightly, apparently having woken up in the dressing room as opposed to on the pitch 15 minutes into the match. Some neat passing from the magnificent and soon to be local hero Gary Roberts, and an ever-improving Phil Jevons set Keigan Parker through on goal early on, however Parker, clearly lacking in confidence dawdled, and was forced wide, before chipping a rather weak effort straight at the keeper from a tight angle. Parker, at times, is like a blind gunman. We know he has the ammo, but he either shoots when he shouldn't, or forgets to pull the trigger altogether when a good chance presents itself. Infuriating for the home fans in a sense, but also a reflection on the copious chances the team are currently creating.
Swindon had a minor dalliance with Town's penalty area shortly afterwards, although Smithies was able to gather so comfortably and reassuringly that Swindon didn't bother to attack again for the remainder of the half, appearing more comfortable with trying to put the ball into orbit. Town took advantage of Swindon's lack of footballing ability and seized the game, creating chance after chance through a very lively Cadamarteri and a superbly tricky Roberts, allowing Parker, Jevons and Williams to come close. For all Town's domination and middle-of-the-park supremacy, the ne'er too overstated lack of firepower was obvious, and opportunities went begging.
A pacy, winding run from Roberts (i'm quite a fan of his you may have noticed) left 3 Swindon players in his wake, and allowed Parker to lay off Cadamarteri for a low curling cross into Jevons, but the Swindon stopper agonisingly beat the frontman to the ball at the near post, and the crowd (i'm generalising from myself here) began to wonder if we were seeing Yeovil all over again. Before the close of the half, Swindon spotted Smithies was falling asleep and gave him a few tricky crosses to deal with, which he did in confident fashion, and then the half-time whistle went, with Town unarguably deserving a comfortable lead, but again jogging in empty handed.
Apparently someone at the Galpharm purchased "The 101 most hilarious party games" this week, as the half-time entertainment consisted of some children spinning round a broom before trying to beat Terry the Terrier from the penalty spot. A special mention to the announcer for counting the spins of the Swindon supporter far too slowly, and brightening up everyone's break.
The second half kicked off, and Town again started positively, with Cadamarteri and Holdsworth combining well on the overlap to set up both Roberts and Parker, who were queueing up at the back stick. Parker could only nod the ball straight at the Swindon keeper, and another chance evaporated. He made up for this somewhat by providing the pass that finally broke Town's duck, receiving a pass from Collins on the left and holding up the ball well under pressure, before sliding it across the area for the arriving Collins to fire low and hard off the post and into the back of the net. Town's magnificent support was finally rewarded with the lead it deserved, and the Galpharm atmosphere was a sight to behold.
Further pressure from an electric Town team led to the second goal shortly after. The keeper clawed a shot from Jevons around the post leading to a corner, which local hero Roberts (I told you he was soon to be) whipped in to the back post. Parker, unable to get a shot away, sent the ball back from whence it came on the right, and Cadamarteri dinked in a lovely cross for Butler to head past the flapping Swindon goalie. Moments later things went from absolutely awful and generally depressing for Swindon, to something even worse, if that is possible, as they were reduced to 10 men; Kanyuka given his marching orders for a blatant shirt-tug on the clean-through Goodwin that left the referee with little alternative than to send off the cheating git. A thoroughly deserved two goal lead, that should have opened the floodgates, but this is Town, and let's be honest, that never happens.
The Galpharm stadium was truly a sight to behold for any Town fan in the second half. I can honestly say I haven't witnessed such an amazing atmosphere in the ground in years. The south-stand 'Cowshed Loyal' sang full voice, belting out a fantastic rendition of smile a while amongst other songs, but all areas of the ground joined in; the entire stadium was the singing section. The mexican
was a particularly special highlight that really reflects the club at the minute. Fantastic effort from the fans, and thankyou to Dean Hoyle for making it all possible.
Also another special mention to the very confusing Swindon support, who happily joined in with our Mexican
, danced and jumped about to the music after we scored our goals, but didn't bother to actually sing during the game. Fair play to them for being good sports though.
Much of the second half played out like a training game - Town held the ball well and played some very neat and inventive passing football, but as the 80th minute crept up we again saw the vice that has plagued many-a Town team over the years: the inability to close out a game. It is a Jekyll and Hyde trait that sees us reduced from domination to backs against the wall, and one of the few negatives to take away from the game. Swindon moved the play into Town's half, and should really have scored when a smart cross found hilariously named subsitute Blair Sturrock who headed against the woodwork, but luckily for Town, Simon Cox fired the rebound high into the south stand. It was a warning that Town didn't heed, and Swindon got a consolation just into injury time, when a half-cleared corner fell to Simon Cox, whose deflected volley left Smithies helpless, and rattled in off the post.
In his post-match interview Lee Clark said that the late goal had taken some of the gloss out of what was undoubtedly brilliant performance from Town, and I agree; Town's inability to close out a game causes un-needed nerves, puts us under lots of pressure in the closing stages, and as evidenced by Northampton last week, costs us valuable points.
Overall, it was an accomplished, dominating performance from Town against a very poor Swindon side, that should really have been 5 or 6 nil, rather than 2-1.
Ratings:
Smithies -7- Had very little to do, but when called upon looked solid, and claimed balls bravely at the feet of the Swindon strikers. Nothing he could do about the goal, but god only knows what he was thinking about when he tried to chip the ball over Cox for Butler. Clark blasted him and rightly so; a moment of crazyness from an otherwise impressive Smithies.
Holdsworth -7- Passed the ball with composure, and overlapped well with Cadamarteri down the right flank to put in some dangerous crosses.
Clarke -8- Not one of his stand-out games, but that isn't a bad point. Swindon were so stunted in attack that both Clarke and Butler were rarely called upon. As usual, dominated in the air.
Butler -8- Similar to Clarke, was aerially solid and won the majority of his headers. Did exactly what needed to be done and had another very good game. Deserved his goal.
Williams -8- His transformation into a footballer is nearly complete! After some poor displays at the beginning of the season, he has shown great improvement, and had another very good game today at left back.
Cadamarteri -9- Is just a superb footballer. Fantastic pace and great feet mean almost every one of his runs ends in a cross or a good pass. Now we just need someone on the end of them. Great again.
Collins -8- Had one of his better games for me. He has been scoring consistently but also drifting in and out of games far too much. Today he was more apparent in the centre, and took his goal brilliantly.
Goodwin -8- Swindon's lack of attacking threat reduced his role somewhat, but still ran tirelessly in the centre of the park, and played some lovely sweeping passes to the flanks.
Roberts -10- Possibly one of the best individual performances I have witnessed from a player in a Huddersfield shirt. This man is something special. I needn't say more than that, he was different class.
Parker -7- Showed good running but is still clearly lacking in confidence in front of goal. Probably should have had one today, but needs to learn when to pull the trigger.
Jevons -8- A much more industrious performance today from a man many see as almost lethargic at times. Linked well with Collins, Roberts and Cadamarteri and probably deserved a goal.
Subs:
Craney - Only had a few minutes on the pitch, not long enough to make an impression.
Flynn - Nice to see him back in the squad, and to see him get a good reception.
Lee Clark - as animated and as entertaining as ever to watch on the touchline. At times he is actually directing individual passes, and it's great to see his enthusiasm. Needs to sort out the lack of concentration at the end of games.
Any comments, please do post them!
Tomtheterrier.
was a particularly special highlight that really reflects the club at the minute. Fantastic effort from the fans, and thankyou to Dean Hoyle for making it all possible.
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