Saturday 28 July 2012

Match Report: Hibernian 2-2 Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town travelled to Easter Road to play Hibernian in their third pre-season friendly and second in their tour of Scotland. Jack Hunt returned to the squad following his tight hamstring injury that ruled him out earlier in the week against Kilmarnock where the terriers managed to get a draw courtesy of a Jordan Rhodes goal.

The game started off very well for the Yorkshire side and just six minutes in the first chance fell to the terriers when good link up play between Novak and Scannell enabled Gobern to be found but his shot was driven wide from 20 yards out. Just four minutes later Huddersfield threatened the home sides goal yet again as Novak sent an effort goal bound that could only be pushed away by Williams.

Huddersfield were dominating the early stages of the game and Novak was in the midst of things as clever play from Adam Clayton gave the striker a few yards of space and he unleashed yet another effort but was denied again by Williams. Seconds later Novak's hard effort payed off as he gave the visitors the lead with Rhodes providing the assist. Chris Atkinson's beautifully weighted pass sent Rhodes on his way and the Scottish striker unselfishly dragged the ball back into Novak's path who only had to tap the ball into the net.

Huddersfield didn't stop their and doubled their lead just five minutes later through pacey winger Sean Scannell. Once again Novak was heavily involved with the goal as he was found by Paul Dixon before passing it to Scannell who cut in from the wing and past him man before curling his shot past the keeper. Scannell could well have doubled his goal tally for the game as a failed rebound from Hibernian fell to him but his volley couldn't find the target.

As the game progressed Huddersfield became more and more comfortable on the ball but a goal against the run of play brought the home side back into things. Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths beat Alex Smithies in the terriers goal and rippled the back of the net to the joy of the home crowd. Griffiths continued to cause Huddersfield trouble and his solo effort, after a superb turn on the edge of the area, resulted in a shot spiralling high and wide of the target.

Huddersfield started to lose their grip on the game after conceding but Novak could well have put the game beyond Hibernian on the 39th minute after yet another poor clearence from Clancy. Novak picked up the ball and immediately chose to shoot but unfortunately the ball smashed the bar and the chance was gone. The first half came to a close with Huddersfield leading the game 2-1.

Grayson chose to bring on a few fresh pairs of legs for the second half including Tom Clarke, Oliver Norwood, Antony Kay & Alan Lee. The second half began with both teams struggling to create any sort of flowing football as passes failed to reach the intended targets. It was Alan Lee who had the first half chance of the second half after Hunt and Higginbotham exchanged well but the latter's cross could only be headed wide by Lee.

Yet another great individual effort from a Hibernian player, Ivan Sproule, saw the terriers concede the two goal lead that they had deservedly obtained in the starting stages of the game. Now the game was either teams for the taking and although Huddersfield were playing the better football they were vulnerable in defence and Hibernian had punished them twice with great goals.

Alan Lee got another chance with his head after neat play from Ward enabled the winger to cross but the header from Lee yet again was off target. Alan Lee was playing well in the second half but Grayson replaced the veteran striker with Jimmy Spencer. The game died off towards the latter stages as both sides failed to create any chances and seemed to settle for the draw. The 87th minute brought a corner for the terriers and Kay could of nicked a victory but he could only copy off Alan Lee and headed wide of the mark.

The full time whistle went to end the friendly 2-2. Huddersfield are still looking for their first pre-season victory.

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