Match Report: Millwall 4-0 Huddersfield Town

The New Den Played Host To The Terriers

Huddersfield Town were sent packing against Millwall in South London as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign so far. Simon Grayson described his teams performance as a learning curve but that will not escape the fact that the bubble has finally burst for the high flying West Yorkshire side. Going into the game the terriers were sitting just outside the play-offs spot and coming off a midweek away defeat against Peterborough it seemed like the players were destined to get the club back on winning ways. However, Town fans were immediately left slightly worried as James Vaughan was excluded from the starting line-up and the bench due to a slight thigh strain.

Town's Team: Smithies, Lynch, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt, Clayton, Southern, Ward, Hammill, Beckford, Novak.

Huddersfield Town started the game the better of the two sides and withing sixty seconds they were threatening the visitors goal mouth. Danny Ward's low cross was found by striker Lee Novak but he could only hook his shot over the bar of Forde's goal to the relief of the home fans. Beckford looked to be Town's target man and the on loan Leicester City player was receiving the full attention of the home crowd already.

Millwall managed to get their first shot on goal after some neat football down the left wing ended up with the ball being knocked down to Trotters feet on the edge of the area. Trotter swiveled on the ball before releasing a wild effort that only found the upper tier of The new Den stadium. Moments later, Henry's bizarre cross come shot caused Alex Smithies problems and the young goalkeeper was forced into making a save and conceding a corner.

With just over fifteen minutes on the clock, Wood who had scored twice midweek against Birmingham City for The Lions, sent a powerful shot towards the terriers goal that sizzled just wide of Smithies left hand upright. Huddersfield were looking the better team as both defences remained sturdy to keep the game at a stalemate.

The stalemate was broken on the 28th minute and it was the home side that took the lead. Darius Henderson was named by ourselves as Millwall's key player and it was the tall striker that provided the assist for the goal as he turned neatly on the edge of the box before crossing to Wood who easily managed to poke home past Smithies. Huddersfield should well of got themselves back on level terms just seconds after the restart as a cross was knocked into the path of Keith Southern by Jermaine Beckford but the midfielder showed exactly why he hasn't scored this season as he blazed his shot well over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Half time was fast approaching and Huddersfield looked keen to get an equalizer before heading into the tunnel and they nearly managed to do so as Hammill delivered an excellent cross into the box from the right hand side which was expertly brought down by Beckford but he fired wide of the near post.

Half Time: Millwall 1-0 Huddersfield

Huddersfield Town started the second half as they had done the first at The New Den. Jermaine Beckford had looked the visitors main goal threat all game and it was him who ended up setting up Novak to unleash a shot on goal but Millwall's Jimmy Abdou managed to produce an amazing last second block to avoid the goalkeeper doing any work. Danny Ward then crossed for the visitors a few minutes later and the ball nearly nestled into the bottom corner as it came off Lions defender Mark Beevers. Luckily for Millwall it went out for a corner instead of an own goal.

As an hour of play passed, the terriers seemed to collapse as they were caught superbly by a speedy counter attack from Millwall. Henry lead The Lions attack before slipping the ball into the path of Wood who finished well past Smithies to get his second of the game and double the home sides lead.

Simon Grayson knew his side needed to get back into the game before it was too late and he illustrated this by bringing on both Dixon & Scannell to install some pace into his team. However, it didn't work as Millwall came close to getting their third of the game as Henry's in-swinging corner found Lowry but he could only volley off target. It wasn't too long before the terriers were picking the ball back up out of their net as Henry put the game beyond Grayson's men.

Wood was involved in the third goal yet again for The Lions and with Lynch down he took advantage of Huddersfield by squaring the ball across the face of goal for Henry who rifled his shot home to the roar of the home fans. Heading into the final ten minutes of the game, Darius Henderson had the opportunity to get himself onto the score sheet as he dribbled past Smithies before shooting across the face of the goal to the relief of the Town fans.

Huddersfield Town were then reduced to ten men as insult was added to injury. Jack Hunt was given a straight red card by the referee for direct abusive language to the official in charge. Hunt's sending off wasn't the end of Town's misery as a fourth goal was added to Millwall's total. Trotter picked up the ball on the edge of the area before fainting a shot to take it past two Huddersfield players & then curling it into the far corner past the diving Smithies.

Full Time: Millwall 4-0 Huddersfield Town

Match Report: Peterborough United 3-1 Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield were brought back down to earth by Peterborough United after an abysmal display from the terriers saw them suffer a 3-1 defeat at London Road. The game is one which many Town fans had looked upon as somewhat of a revenge match for what The Posh did to Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford but the final result left yet another sour taste in the mouths of the away following.

Grayson kept the same starting XI that pulled off a stunning display against Wolves at the weekend with the addition of Hammill being named on the bench;

Town's Team: Smithies, Woods, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt, Ward, Norwood, Southern, Clayton, Beckford, Vaughan.

Town's Bench: Bennett, Dixon, Lynch, Hammill, Scannell, Robinson, Novak.

Huddersfield Town started off the game as the better side and were being cheered on by a very good following of away fans that were making themselves heard at London Road. Beckford & Vaughan were immediately into the thick of the action as they looked to threaten the back three which The Posh had set up. However, it was Peterborough who created the first real meaningful chance of the game. Lee Tomlin played the ball to on loan Saido Berahino who from the edge of the box blasted over Smithies bar with a powerful shot.

George Boyd had already been singled out as Peterborough's key player and he was living up to his reputation. His early cross was met by the head of Mark Little but Smithies didn't have much to do as it was directed straight down the young goalkeepers throat. The Posh were threatening and they got a deserved goal with less than 15 minutes on the clock. A debatable free kick was taken quickly by Peterborough as Grant McCann fed Tomlin in who dragged a defender with him before slipping the ball into the feet of Boyd. George skipped past a Jack Hunt challenge and fired past Smithies from a tight angle.

George Boyd shortly after gave the home side a remarkable two goal lead as well as netting his second of the game. Boyd picked up on a loose ball just inside the terriers half before looking up and seeing Smithies well off his line. The Posh player didn't need a second invitation as he volleyed a shot over Smithies head and into the back of the net. Peterborough fans couldn't believe their eyes but they were nearly brought back down to Earth with a speculative effort from Jermaine Beckford. The on loan striker attempted to replicate Boyd as he went for an audacious lob from inside his own half but it was watched over the bar by Posh goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.

Peterborough were in full swing now and running rampant as they sensed the chance to take the game beyond Huddersfield Town. Peter Clarke had to be on his best to block Berahino's shot which looked goalbound. Beckford wasted an opportunity at the other hand as he chose to lash an effort over the bar instead of crossing into the danger area. The terriers needed the half time interval to come quick and they were lucky to get in with just a two goal defecit. Grant McCann received a ball from a fellow Posh player and sent a shot sailing towards goal from 25 yards out. Smithies scrambled across his goal as the shot whistled just inches wide of the post.

Half Time: Peterborough United 2-0 Huddersfield Town

The terriers immediately went in search for a goal to bring them back into the game in the second half but instead they found themselves picking up the ball from their net yet again as Peterborough made it three nil. Boyd was yet again given way too much space to work with in the middle of the park and after his initial shot had been blocked, he chipped to the back post where Kgosi Ntlhe was waiting to head home past Alex Smithies.

Grayson expressed his frustration at his teams performance by immediately bringing on two fresh faces onto the pitch. Hammill & Dixon came on to replace Woods & Ward and the substitutions paid dividends straight away as Hammill got the terriers back into the game.

The on loan winger scored with his second shot since coming on as he cut inside from the flank before skipping past a defender and smashing a low drive into the far corner of the goal from twenty yards out. The away fans were back in full voice now and Norwood had a chance to threaten the home sides goal once again but his free-kick was hit too tamely to cause any sort of threat. Huddersfield knew the comeback was on as Beckford was tripped on the edghe of the penalty area for yet another free kick. Up stepped Oliver Norwood but this time his curling effort could only clip the top of the wall and sail over the bar.

Peterborough were starting to hold on to their two goal lead as the away side pushed forward and the terriers were nearly caught on the counter attack but Berahino could only prod wide at the near post. Boyd then came close to getting his hat-trick and if it wasn't for a brilliant block by Peter Clarke he could well of got it.

Time was running out for Huddersfield and The Posh could well of sealed the game in the 72nd minute. James Vaughan made a mess of a back pass that gifted Berahino with a one on one opportunity but Smithies denied the young striker brilliantly by diving down at his feet to save Vaughan's blushes. Grayson once again reacted straight away by bringing on Scannell for Vaughan in an attempt to scrape back a comeback & salvage something from the game.

The game was now wide open but Peterborough were holding firm as they denied the terriers any sort of real chance in the penalty area. Dixon was forced to shoot from range but it was a horrible effort that seemed to suck the life out of Huddersfield Town as it went high & wide. Boyd was still playing some lovely football and he was gifted another shooting opportunity when Norwood slipped on the wet grass but Smithies was up to the test.

Five minutes of injury time came to an end when Gerrard headed a Hammill free-kick over the bar.

Full time: Peterborough United 3-1 Huddersfield Town

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Huddersfield Town 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Huddersfield Town faced one of the toughest tests they have encountered in The Championship this season when Wolverhampton Wanderers came to The John Smiths Stadium. The visitors were sitting pretty in third place and were coming to take on the terriers in very good form with five wins out of the last six games but Grayson's men were revitalized after picking up all three points before the international break against a very tough Birmingham City side at St Andrews.

Town's Team; Smithies, Woods, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt, Ward, Norwood, Southern, Clayton, Vaughan, Beckford

Town's Bench; Bennett, Dixon, Novak, Lynch, Scannell, Arfield, Lee

Huddersfield started the game positively with sleek passing and strong defending and with just eleven minutes on the clock, the terriers forced Wolves into conceding their first goal in their last three away games. Jack Hunt was the provider for one of the best goals ever to be scored at The John Smiths Stadium as his inch perfect cross was met superbly by the head of James Vaughan who sent the ball flying across the face of goal and into the back of the net.

Vaughan's goal for the terriers is his third since joining
on season long loan from Norwich

The midfield of Huddersfield were working hard as per usual and Clayton was looking on the money when he nodded the ball down into Vaughan's feet who crossed to the back post, just inches away from Beckford who could well of doubled the terriers lead if he had connected with he cross. Wolves were not looking a bad team but Huddersfield were dominating the pace of the game. However, the visitors got their first real chance of the game through a Bakary Sako free-kick which went just inches over the bar of Alex Smithies goal.

Jack Hunt had already provided an assist and his confidence was sky high as he ran once again at the Wolves defence before firing an effort just wide of the mark. Moments later Adam Clayton linked up with former Leeds United team mate Jermaine Beckford to give the terriers an unlikely two goal lead. Clayton whipped in a superb delivery from the right wing for Beckford to scissor kick into the back of the net in extraordinary fashion. The on loan striker put his name into hat for goal of the month...if not the season.

Beckford celebrates after doubling the terriers lead
with a stunning finish.

Wolves looked a beaten side after the second goal had gone in but they were nearly given a lifeline as Woods made a mistake which allowed Sako in at goal but he could only curl his effort wide of Smithies goal to the annoyance of the visiting fans. Chances continued to come for the home side and Town could of been at least four or five up before half time with both Vaughan & Beckford having great chances to take the game beyond Wolves but it wasn't meant to be for the strikers.

Half Time: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Simon Grayson's team started the second half as they had finished the first and within a minute Beckford was causing Wolves problems yet again. Roger Johnson luckily recovered well as the striker closed down on the visitors goal after a superb pass from Oliver Norwood had set Beckford free. Ten minutes later, Wolves got their first chance on goal in the second half as new signing Jermaine Pennant crossed to the back post where Kevin Doyle met the ball with his head. The effort was goal bound but Huddersfield skipper Peter Clarke was on his top form and blocked the effort to keep his sides two goal lead.

With just over an hour on the clock the visitors managed to get themselves back into the game as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake stabbed home a tame shot only for it to sneak past Smithies off the post. The shot had also received a heavy deflection off Peter Clarke which ultimately gave the goalkeeper no chance in denying Wolves their away goal.

Wolves were playing the much better football now of the two teams and were buoyed after getting themselves back into the game from an unlikely goal scoring chance. Sako was the main problem for the terriers as he continued to skip away from his markers to push the visitors forward. Sako was the creator of Wolves' first goal and he went close to getting his name on the score sheet but his shot whistled inches past the post. The game was ticking ever so slowly now for the home side who looked tired after such a gut busting first half effort and they were starting to hang on against a never ending onslaught of Wolves attacks.

In the 79th minute Wolves had a corner which was met by the head of David Edwards who beat his marker but could only send his header smashing into the upright. Smithies was well beaten by the effort and it looked almost certain that Town were going to give away their two goal lead but they hold strong in the final minutes to get their home form back to winning ways.

Full Time: Huddersfield Town 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Match Report: Birmingham City 0-1 Huddersfield Town

After two home games the terriers travelled to St. Andrews to take on former Huddersfield Town boss Lee Clark & Birmingham City. Simon Grayson stated that he wanted his team to bounce back and that is exactly what his team did as they came back to Yorkshire with all three points.
Grayson named a slightly different squad to what he had put on the field against Leicester City on Tuesday. James Vaughan was declared fit and he partnered Jermaine Beckford upfront whilst Paul Dixon gave way to Calum Woods who made his first starting appearance for the terriers in the Championship. Adam Hammill also was named on the bench by Grayson who had previously stated that his injuries made him 'touch and go' for the game.
Town's Starting XI; Smithies, Woods, Clarke (c), Gerrard, Hunt, Ward, Norwood, Southern, Clayton, Vaughan, Beckford.
Huddersfield started the game off very well and the new striker partnership of Beckford & Vaughan was already causing problems for the home sides defence. Beckford hassled Curtis Davies and forced the defender to make a mistake on the left wing which gifted Jermaine the chance to set up the first attack. He ran with the ball at his feet before playing it to Vaughan who spun in front of goal under heavy pressure before lashing it wide of Butlands goal.
Beckford was looking very lively in the opening minutes of the game and he nearly converted a Danny ward cross and was just inches away from getting on the end of a great cross by Vaughan. It was all Huddersfield Town and continued to be so when Oliver Norwood smartly crossed into the Blues area but Vaughan was also off target as he headed over the bar.
Birmingham City created their first chance of the game through a quick counter attack as Jonathan Spector broke away before playing the ball to Nathan Redmond on the wing who's shot at goal was superbly headed away by Anthony Gerrard. Lee Clark had chosen to go with an attacking 4-3-3 formation but the Blues were getting overrun in the middle of the park by Grayson's men.
Keith Southern was expertly denied from just eight yards out by a committed defensive block by Curtis Davies but the terriers got their breakthrough just moments later through Jermaine Beckford. James Vaughan picked up a smart pass from Adam Clayton before sliding it in behind the Birmingham City defence for Beckford to run onto and casually slot past Jack Butland to give the visitors the lead.
Thirty minutes into the game, Birmingham City very nearly got an equaliser through the ever dangerous Nathan Redmond. The winger picked up the ball and immediately cut inside to send a curling effort crashing into Smithies post. The goalkeeper was completely beaten by Redmonds shot and it signified just how much a threat the winger was for the Blues and why Town needed to keep a very close eye on him at all times.
Huddersfield saw the first half out very well after being woken up by Redmonds curling effort and the terriers very nearly doubled their lead before the interval when Danny ward forced Butland into an acrobatic save from a powerful 25 yard shot.
Half Time; Birmingham City 0-1 Huddersfield Town
Lee Clark made the games first change at half time when he replaced Keith Fahey with the prolific goalscorer Nikola Zigic who had been surprisingly left out of the starting line-up by the former Huddersfield Town boss. The change seemed to have a positive effect on the game for Birmingham as they started the second half much better than what they had finished the first. Smithies was centre of attention yet again just moments into the second fourty-five when he flapped at a free kick only to redeem himself straight away by tipping over a cheeky chip by Chris Burke who had seen Alex off his line and had tried to take advantage.
Burke was back into the action moments later when he skipped into the terriers box but failed to test Smithies by sending his curling effort wide of the mark. The home fans were starting to get restless and the Blues were also starting to lose any hope of getting anything out of the game. Adam Clayton had two half chances to put the game to bed for Huddersfield Town but he failed to hit the target on both occasions.
Huddersfield Town were starting to put pressure on themselves as they continued to give possession away to Birmingham City in dangerous positions. However, Butland was still the busier of the two goalkeepers and he had to be on top form to push a Peter Clarke header onto the bar from vlose range.
Things went from bad to worse for Birmingham City in the 75th minute when they were reduced to ten men as Zigic got sent off. The tall Serbian went in late and high on Calum Woods which saw the referee brandish a straight red card.
The sending off didn't really have an effect on the game but it did allow for six minutes of stoppage time to be added on by the fourth official. Birmingham City were pressing Huddersfield back into their own half as they went in search of a late equaliser to salvage a point from the game and they came very close to doing just that. Elliott had a free header from just five yards out superbly saved by Alex Smithies and Peter Clarke put his body on the line to deny Leroy Lita his equaliser from a similar distance.
The referee blew for full time to the sound of boo's ringing around St. Andrews as Lee Clark's men fell victim to another home defeat at the had of his former club, Huddersfield Town. The terriers deserved all three points with a gutsy performance away from home.
Full time; Birmingham City 0-1 Huddersfield Town



Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Huddersfield 0-2 Leicester City

The terriers suffered a second home defeat within a week as they were torn apart by a very good Leicester City side. Grayson expressed in his pre-match comments that the Foxes are one of the best teams in the Championship and they proved to be just too much for Huddersfield Town to cope with. Town were dealt a huge blow before the game even kicked off as Grayson announced his starting eleven and his bench without the inclusion of James Vaughan.

Town Starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt, Clayton, Southern, Norwood, Ward, Scannell, Novak

Town Bench; Bennett, Wallace, Robinson, Woods, Arfield, Spencer, Lee

Huddersfield started the game decently as Scannell cleverly took the ball past Lloyd Dyer with a deft piece of skill before having a defence splitting pass intercepted before it could reach Novak's on rushing run. Dixon was also looking good as he overlapped on the left wing to cross to the front post but it was well dealt with by Leicester City.

The Foxes soon after started to control the game and looked dangerous going forward as Anthony Knockaert crossed to force Clayton to clear his teams lines. Leicester were dominating all areas of the pitch as a windy John Smiths Stadium was making things difficult for both teams. Vardy & Nugent were up for the game and the latter could well of latched onto a huge goal kick by Kasper Schmeichel that caused havoc for the Town defence. Gerrard finally managed to clear the ball moments later but Leicester City were pushing forward as soon as they picked the clearance back up.

Knockaert was one of the liveliest players on the pitch and he deservedly opened the scoring for the visitors with a stunning strike from 35 yards out. Knockaert cut inside before unleashing a powerful strike which swerved wildly and smashed into the back of the net past Smithies as the Foxes took the lead. Town tried to emulate what they had done on Saturday by scoring an immediate equaliser but Ward's cross for Novak after the restart was agonisingly inches away from being converted by Novak at the back post.

Half Time: Huddersfield Town 0-1 Leicester City

The game carried on exactly as both teams had left it as the second half began. Leicester were controlling the midfield and seemed to want the ball more than their opposite numbers and the terriers should of been two down when Vardy failed to hit the target from just eight yards out. Grayson was urging his team to get themselves back into the game but things went from bad to worse when Knockaert managed to double his score tally & double the Foxes lead.

The goal was yet another spectacular finish and could well of been one of the best braces to be scored at the Town ground since it opened. Konchesky pushed forward down the left wing for the visitors before chipping in for the on rushing Leicester attackers. The cross looked like it was just behind Knockaert but he flicked a heel at the ball only to divert it past Smithies with a stunning piece of skill.

Simon Grayson looked un-impressed at the sidelines and immediately let his feelings known by making a triple substitution bringin on Arfield, Woods & Lee for Clayton, Norwood & Dixon. However, things didn't change on the pitch as Nugent left Peter Clarke on the floor before slicing his shot wide of the mark as Leicester pushed for a third goal to kill the game off. The terriers were slowly starting to get back into the game but still failed to test Schmeichel in the Foxes goal.

As the game ticked into the last ten minutes it looked well beyond Huddersfield to start a possible comeback and Leicester very nearly made it three goals in the 90th minute when Waghorn crossed to an unmarked Vardy who fired straight at Smithies fro just seven yards out.

The final whistle was blown and Leicester deservedly took all three points at The John Smiths Stadium in a game which the terriers never really looked like scoring in.

Full Time: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Leicester City

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Huddersfield 2-3 Watford

The terriers went in search for their third successive win after two very impressive away victories at both Hillsborough & Bloomfield Road. With the new arrival of Jermaine Beckford the terriers went into the game as favourites for the first time in The Championship this season. Grayson stated that this game would be the toughest test for his team to date and announced a side with just one change;

Town starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt, Ward, Norwood, Southern, Clayton, Novak, Beckford.

Huddersfield started the liveliest of the two games and soon enough Beckford was causing the visitors problems as Hunt played him in behind the back four only for his cross to be deflected wide for a corner. Southern could well of given the terriers the lead with just five minutes on the clock as his headed effort was cleared off the line by a Watford defender. The game was already looking scrappy as Troy Deeney shrugged the strong Anthony Gerrard off the ball before the Liverpudlian was forced to recover and put in an impressive block.

Italian Marcos Cassetti was playing on the right wing for Watford and was causing Town a lot of problems. In the 20th minute he got his first shot away on Smithies goal after cutting inside Paul Dixon and unleashing a fierce shot which whistled wide of the goal. Peter Clarke allowed Fernando Forestieri to get the better of him two minutes later as he broke the offside trap before but could only swing his effort wide of the mark.

Watford were growing with confidence as the game went on but they were given a serious knock back when Oliver Norwood gave the terriers the lead. Jermaine Beckford played a pivotal role in the opener as he drew the foul from Almen Adbi which gave Norwood the opportunity to shoot from the resulting free kick. Norwood smashed in the free kick which couldn't be stopped by former Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia even though he managed to get a full hand to the ball but could only push the ball into the corner of the goal.

Watford still were playing slightly better than Town but nearly went two behind as Jack Hunt chipped over the Watford defence for Novak to collect but Almunia kept his side in the game with an impressive low save.

Half Time: Huddersfield 1-0 Watford

The visitors came out after the interval in full flow and were often pushing Huddersfield onto the back foot. The ever dangerous Forestieri gave the terriers a scare as he created some space for himself only to slice his effort way wide of Smithies goal. It took up until the 60th minute for Huddersfield to create their first chance of the second half once again through Oliver Norwood. His effort on goal was deflected clear by Watford before new boy Beckford fired straight at Almunia.

Watford got a deserved equaliser in the 69th minute as Forestieri shot from the edge of the area only for it to get a big deflection off skipper Peter Clarke which gave Smithies no chance in goal. Grayson brought on Alan Lee & Scott Arfield whilst taking off Jermaine Beckford who received a warm applause as he left the field of play. The game slipped into the final ten minutes and what a final ten minutes it was.

Firstly, Watford took the lead when some poor defending from the terriers allowed Fitz Hall to tap in at the back post. The game looked past Huddersfield Town now but literally 30 seconds later Alan Lee levelled things up with a superb headed goal after Novak's excellent cross. The game had swung in the terriers favour and it was now them that were looking likely to get all three points but just a minute later Forestieri dived to the ground in the penalty box to win the Hornets a penalty.

The decision looked very harsh as Forestieri was obviously playing for the penalty but there was contact and after talks with the linesman, the referee pointed to the spot to the disgust of the home fans. Deeney stepped up to smash the penalty in and give Watford the lead. The visitors saw the game out very well as the terriers suffered their first home defeat in the Championship this season.

Full Time: Huddersfield 2-3 Watford

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report; Blackpool - Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town travelled to Bloomfield Road for a tough test against one of the favourites in this league to gain promotion into the top flight. Grayson has strong links with Blackpool after both managing and playing for the club and has played an instrumental role in getting them to where they are today.

Huddersfield announced their starting line up fourty-five minutes before kick off with just one change being made by Grayson as the suspended Lynch was replaced by Anthony Gerrard.

Town starting line-up; Smithies, dixon, P.Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt, Ward, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Vaughan, Novak.

The terriers started very impressively and were quick out of the starting blocks as they set up their stall to play the long ball game which gave Blackpool immediate problems. Vaughan flicked a ball on with his head which Novak was inches away from latching onto behind the seasiders back line. Clayton then fired wide moments later which was closely followed by two counter attacks from the away side which were woefully wasted by poor crosses by Novak.

Huddersfield continued to push forward as Blackpool gave away the ball in dangerous positions and the terriers forced a corner in the 11th minute which Gilks punched away. However, the goalkeepers punch was a poor one which fell into the feet of Ward on the edge of the area. The winger fired in a quick shot which forced Gilks into making his first save of the match as he pushed it away with a diving save.

Huddersfield Towns pressure did finally pay off two minutes later and it was from a Peter Clarke long ball which opened up the Blackpool defence yet again. The skipper hoofed a ball upfield which Vaughan did superbly to nod on over the head of Baptiste and into Novaks clever run. The striker coolly slotted home after bearing down on goal under heavy pressure to make it two goals in two games. Blackpool were starting to look even worse now, passes were going astray and they just couldn't clear their lines as the terriers continued putting pressure on the tangerines in every part of the pitch.

Norwood threatened the goal from a free kick as the terriers looked to double their lead but Blackpool were finally starting to look a top side as Ian Holloway typically urged his team to press forward in attack. Ince had been the obvious threat for the home side from the start of the game but he could only head straight at Smithies after getting onto the end of a Tiago Gomes cross. The terriers broke away immediately through Danny Ward as the winger raced up the right wing with the ball at his feet. Vaughan was in support but Ward only had eyes for the goal as he cut inside and tried to bend one into the corner of the goal. Unfortunately it went a couple of yards wide of the mark but the intent was there for everyone to see and Ward was proving exactly why Grayson rates him so highly.

Blackpool started to string more and more passes together and they ditched the ball into the area looking for Ince in the 27th minute. The forward had his back to the goal when he brought down the ball in the area but some sleek skills earned him half a yard on Anthony Gerrard and he placed it across the six line area for ex Huddersfield Town midfielder, Gary Taylor Fletcher to place past Smithies and give Blackpool the equaliser.

The game started to ebb and flow from one end to the other as both Gomes for Blackpool & Clayton for Huddersfield wasted opportunities that could of given their side the lead. With just a minute of the half remaining, Jack Hunt earned the terriers a free kick wide on the right hand side and Norwood swung in a delivery which was met fiercely by the head of James Vaughan who found himself unmarked just seven yards from the goal. There was no chance the striker was going to miss and his fierce header rocketed into the back of the net as he ran away to celebrate in front of the Town faithful who had been in good singing voice all night.

Half Time: Blackpool 1-2 Huddersfield Town

The terriers came out in the second half just as they had done in the first and it only took a couple of minutes before they got their third goal of the game. Scottish international Paul Dixon was knocked to the floor as he burst forward down the left wing and earned his side a free kick. Norwood immediately stepped over the ball and looked to swing it into the box and did exactly that but with noone getting a touch on the ball and the goalkeeper failing to connect with his punch the ball flew into the far corner of the goal. Norwood had made it two in two just like Novak and the terriers were looking dominant now with a two goal lead over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

It didn't take Huddersfield long to find the net yet again as Vaughan put the ball past Gilks but it was ruled offside to the disbelief of the away fans as replays showed he had been level when the ball was played through to him. Blackpool then broke through the Town defence themselves as Ince ran with the ball at his feet but an excellent tackle by Dixon denied the striker any chance of making Smithies make a save. Blackpool were trying to get back into the game as the minutes ticked by and Baptiste could of brought a goal back for the tangerines as he got onto the end of a Gomes free kick at the back post but he could only head over the bar.

Norwood's delivery from set pieces had been deadly all game and there was nothing different when he whipped in another free kick which had been won by Adam Clayton. His delivery this time was deep but Clarke nodded it back across the front of goal and onto the had of James Vaughan but he miraculously missed the target from just a couple of yards out. This chance sparked a reaction from Ian Holloway who threw both Kevin & Matt Phillips into the game which totalled four Blackpool strikers on the pitch.

M.Phillips was immediately into the action and burst past Jack Hunt before cutting inside and firing inches wide of Smithies post. However, with Blackpool throwing strikers onto the field it left the tangerines short at the back and Vaughan nearly made them pay after receiving a clever ball from Clayton and breaking away from the Blackpool defence. Vaughan once again slotted it past Gilks but once again his goal was disallowed due to being offside.

Time was slowly ticking away now for Blackpool but they just couldn't create any goalscoring chances as the terriers started to see the game out by keeping hold of possession. They could well have guaranteed all three points when Clayton lifted it over the Blackpool defence but substitute Scannell couldn't direct his header goalwards.

Huddersfield had just one more attack to defend as a Blackpool corner lead to a goalmouth scramble as Gerrard put his body on the line with a fully hearted block on the edge of the six yard.

Huddersfield saw the game out very well in the end and finished the stronger side to take all three points and second spot in The Championship!!

Full Time: Blackpool 1-3 Huddersfield Town
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Huddersfield Town

The West Yorkshire side travelled into South Yorkshire in a feisty affair which saw both teams end with just 10 men on the pitch as well as bagful of yellow cards being issued out. Sheffield had just come off a heavy defeat away at Brighton but back at their home ground they will always be a force to be reckoned with whereas the terriers had kept a clean sheet against Derby as well as picking up all three points.

It was Huddersfield Town who started the Yorkshire derby the better as Jack Hunt had his heels clipped in the penalty area to give the visitors the chance to take the lead from the spot. Norwood stepped up to take the penalty but a tame shot was easily saved by Kirkland but the young midfielder was first to react and made no mistake with the rebound to give the terriers the early advantage.

Things got even better for Huddersfield Town just moments later when Danny Ward arched a cross into the box for Lee Novak to superbly head into the top corner and double the visitors lead. The Town faithful were in full voice at Hillsborough but Wednesday started to fight themselves back into the game and were rewarded before half time when Reda Johnson rose well to head at goal and squeeze it into the gap between Smithies and his left hand post.

What followed in the final moments of the first half was on the border of 'crazy' as both sides were reduced to ten men with a bucket load of yellow cards being issued out by the referee. First up was Joel Lynch as he timed his tackle late to send Antonio crashing to the deck on the left hand touchline. The referee immediately pulled the tall defender to one side and sent him off the field of play with a straight red card to the disbelief of the Town fans. Grayson showed his anger at the fourth official and so did the majority of the Town players which resulted in both Peter Clarke & Anthony Gerrard receiving bookings.

The second sending off came for the Owls just minutes later as Joe Mattck clipped the ever dangerous Danny Ward and was given a second yellow to send him trudging down the tunnel. The referee had lost the game by now and both sets of fans boo'd the officials off at half time.

Half Time: Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Huddersfield Town

Dave Jones changed things around at half time by introducing Nejc Pecnik for Madine who had been kept very quite in the first half. Pecnik was immediately into the action and just seconds into the second half he shot just over the bar as the terriers struggled to keep up with his pace. The game started to get stretched out and it was benefiting the Owls as Bothroyd sprinted down the flank before crossing to the back post for Johnson to head inches wide.

Pecnik was causing the terriers a lot of problems since being brought on by Dave Jones and he broke through the visitors back four onto the lobbed ball from Bothroyd. Peter Clarke struggled to get back but Pecnik made the mistake to turn inside which forced him to rush his shot agonisingly wide. Huddersfield were soaking up a lot of pressure and trying to catch the home side on the counter attack and they got their reward when Jack Hunt's cross hit the hand of Rhys McCabe in the penalty area.

The referee waved play on but the linesman refused to stop waving his flag and after a minute of discussion the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Clayton grabbed the ball to the annoyance of James Vaughan and stepped up calmly to slot the ball away and give the terriers back their two goal lead.

Dave Jones threw on his big players in a last ditch attempt to get something from the game and the Owls nearly did but Reda Johnson just couldn't get his second goal of the game as he missed an open goal from just six yards out!

The last five minutes saw Wednesday pressure Huddersfield Town back into their own area as the Owls refused to give up hope. They hammered the terriers with crosses from all over the pitch but the entire Town team were coping with them and clearing their lines before Wednesday could create any goalscoring opportunity. Alan Lee came on in stoppage time for the terriers to gain his first appearance for Town in The Championship and he helped the visitors watch the game out for a well deserved three points.

Full Time: Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Huddersfield Town

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Huddersfield Town 1-0 Derby County

The terriers found themselves in a real battle at The John Smiths Stadium and a resilient defensive performance was much needed in order for the home side to pull through with all three points. The visitors, Derby County, went immediately a goal behind with less than a minute on the clock as Ward finished superbly from a Hammill cross after the on loan winger had skipped past a couple of helpless County players.

Huddersfield continued with their strong start as the midfield duo of Norwood & Southern tried their luck from some way out but the Rams defence remained strong to block both attempts. Derby could well have got themselves back on level terms in the 15th minute when Joel Lynch passed wastefully short into the path of Jamie Ward who immediately started to run at the last man for Huddersfield, Peter Clarke. Jamie Ward enticed Clarke to take the ball off him before playing it squarely to Conor Sammon but just as he was about to send in a fierce looking shot, Peter Clarke put his body on the line with an amazing diving stop.

Hammill was impressing the home crowd with his 'no fear' approach to taking players on and he pushed forward before playing the ball to Norwood who swung a cross in for Vaughan. The striker made a neat first touch but was denied a shot on goal by John Brayford who made a timely intervention. The Rams were dominating the majority of the game before the half time interval and they were looking dangerous but just couldn't force Alex Smithies into any real saves as a dedicated terriers defence remained sturdy.

Half Time: Huddersfield Town 1-0 Derby County

Both teams re-emerged for the second half with no changes but it was once again the home side which started the quickest as Derby looked vulnerable at the back. Clayton smashed the post from range and the resulting corner saw Keith Southern get a glimmer of a chance but he fired wildly over the bar and into the stands.

The visitors then settled down into the game as they looked for the equaliser and Jamie Ward was looking the most likely to get it. Ward was drifting over onto the left wing in the second half and he shrugged off the attention of Jack Hunt before firing wide of the target. Ward didn't give up there and he was soon back with the ball at his feet pushing his way past Hammill before crossing to Doyle who must of been watching Ward earlier as he fired high and wide.

The game slipped into the final twenty with Derby still failing to test Alex Smithies in the goals for Huddersfield Town. The terriers were being pinned back into their final third and it looked almost certain that all of Derby's hard work was going to pay off. Rams manager Nigel Clough introduced ex Huddersfield striker Theo Robinson into the game on the 79th minute but he failed to make an impact for the visitors as time ticked away.

Lee Novak had a half chance to put the game beyond Derby County moments later as he found himself with a bit of space at the back post. A neat first touch allowed the striker to fire in a shot at goal but he smashed it way wide. The visitors nearly found an equaliser when Alex Smithies fumbled a low cross but an alert Paul Dixon cleared the ball to safety.

Huddersfield Town held on until the very end with a sterling defensive display especially from Keith Southern & Peter Clarke who showed the young lads how things were done with two committed performances.

Full Time: Huddersfield Town 1-0 Derby County

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Ipswich Town 2-2 Huddersfield Town

The terriers took the long journey to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town just three days since losing their prolific goalscorer Jordan Rhodes in a £8m deal which has seen him head to Blackburn Rovers. The line-ups were typically announced before the game & it was clear to see that Grayson was keen to play the 4-4-2 formation which had seen his Huddersfield side take all three points previously against Burnley last week;

Starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, Lynch, Clarke (c), Hunt, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Ward, Vaughan, Novak,

Huddersfield immediately started well and pushed Ipswich back in the first few minutes & Norwood gave Loach something to do just five minutes in when he fired in a freekick. Loach punched it away and the home side broke quickly which ended in Chopra firing wide for Ipswich. Five minutes later Norwood caused more problems for Ipswich with yet another free-kick which unfortunately resulted in Joel Lynch heading wide as he tried to emulate his goal against Burnley last week.

A promising start by the terriers could well of seen them go behind as Ipswich received the first real chance of the game as Murphy was able to get on the end of a drag back but he failed to connect with the ball properly and allowed Peter Clarke to clear his teams lines. Ipswich were now the team enjoying the majority of the possession and they were threatening to take the lead as Taylor cut inside from out wide & lined up a shot but Keith Southern managed to get a hard tackle in before he could release his drive.

Ipswich continued to attack this time through Taylor who skipped away past four tackles but he could only fire straight at Alex Smithies. Moments later Dixon was able to find the run of Novak who in turn found Clayton on the edge of the area and he burst into the penalty box but he could only hit the side netting with his effort. Ten minutes until the break it was Huddersfield Town who managed to secure the opening goal through a superb low drive from Adam Clayton.

The terriers had won the corner which Norwood swung into the box and Ipswich did well to clear but both Ward & Clayton fired efforts in from the edge of the box until Clayton hit the target and made the net ripple. One minute before the break Novak put the ball over the Ipswich defence and Loach came out but he made a mess of the clearance. Vaughan tried to lob it over the goalkeeper but he couldn't lift it high enough.

Half Time: Ipswich 0-1 Huddersfield

Ipswich started the second half on the upper hand and were making a nuisance of themselves but the terriers defence held strong and the game slipped into the 55th minute with no chances being created by both sides. Danny Ward tested Loach as he cut infield before firing a right footed effort which the keeper spilled but he redeemed himself by smothering the ball from a Vaughan follow up.

An hour of football had been played and Vaughan was making an impressive start to his Huddersfield career as he pulled a ball out of the air with incredible finesse before volleying just over the bar. However, Ipswich managed to get the equaliser after Drury's free-kick created havoc in the box before Chambers hooked the ball in from a few yards out. Now it was the terriers on the ropes and just 18 minutes from time the home side scored a somewhat unfair goal. Chopra was completely unmarked way behind the Huddersfield defence and as Smithies came out he coolly chipped over him to send the home side wild. Huddersfield players surrounded the referee & the linesman arguing that Chjpra was offside but the goal remained.

Grayson had switched formations to 3-5-2 when Huddersfield gave away the lead and he continued to try his best to get the terriers back into the game by replacing Novak with new loanee Adam Hammill. The winger immediately made his mark on his debut and was involved in the equaliser for Huddersfield as he pushed the terriers forward before Ward crossed for Vaughan to fire home to the amazement of the faithful 830 fans which had travelled to Portman Road.

The equaliser had set the game wide open for the last ten minutes and Murphy smashed the post as Huddersfield failed to clear their lines with sloppy defending. The terriers saw the chance to break and flew up the pitch with Hammill who slotted Hunt in only for the young full back to be fouled in the box. After a few seconds of talks with hs linesman the referee awarded the visitors the penalty. Vaughan stepped up but it was incredibly saved by Loach onto the bar and it bounced onto the line as Vaughan argued intensly claiming it had gone over the line with Ipswich players & officials.

The goal wasn't given and a crazy final five minutes followed but the scoreline finished 2-2 in a thoroughly entertaining game at Portman Road. Huddersfield will feel hard done by not to be taking home all three points especially with a clear offside goal not being picked up by the officials was allowed to stand for Ipswich. Nevertheless an away point in The Championship is something for the terriers to build upon.

Full Time- Ipswich 2-2 Huddersfield
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Burnley

Huddersfield Town managed to pick up their first three points and their first win in The Championship for over eleven long years. The terriers sent Burnley home across the border with zero points after dominating the majority of the play in an impressive performance under the manager Simon Grayson. The team news, as always, was released around thirty minutes before kick off and this is how the terriers lined up on the field of play;

Starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, Lynch, Clarke (c), Hunt, Scannell, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Vaughan, Rhodes.

Huddersfield started the match off in a basic 4-4-2 formation which saw Vaughan partner Rhodes upfront, However the early breakthrough for the terrriers came from the big central defender, Joel Lynch, who' glancing header from a Norwood corner was deemed to have crossed the line to the delight of the home crowd. This was the first time Huddersfield had taken the lead in The Championship this season and they could of well doubled it in the 14th minute. Scannell was causing his usual problems down the wing and his victim this time was Trippier who he brushed past before putting a ball into Rhodes in the box. Rhodes met the ball with his head but it crashed off the crossbar and was cleared to safety by the visitors who had begun the game on the ropes.

Huddersfield were playing some very nice football which was allowing them to dominate things in the middle of the park. Clayton was denied by a dedicated Burnley skipper, Jason Shackell before he watched Rhodes' effort being brilliantly saved by Lee Grant in the visitors goal. Clayton continued to drive the team forward with his attacking runs and he was regularly firing shots at goal which were troubling both Burnley's defence and goalkeeper. However, Burnley did have the ball in the back of the net just before half time.

David Edgar fired a shot in at the terriers goalmouth in the 44th minute which rippled the back of the net after bouncing off the woodwork. However, the linesman did have his flag up after deeming Charlie Austin was interfering with play in an offside position. Half time.

Lynch gave the terriers their first half lead,
His glancing header was deemed over the line

The teams emerged for the second half revitalized but once again it was the home side which controlled matters. Keith Southern tried his luck from 20 yards out but his effort was blocked superbly by Chris McCann. On the hour mark, Huddersfield deservedly doubled their advantage over Burnley when Rhodes netted his second goal in just two games. The Scottish striker was given the ball in the penalty area after great interplay between Clarke, Hunt & Lynch had seen the terriers progress fastly up the pitch. Rhodes turned in the box with the ball at his feet before smashing it home from tweleve yards out.

Huddersfield were now two goals to the good & Burnley continued to struggle to make any sort of impact on the game with a resilient Huddersfield defence holding strong. Burnleys strikers, Vokes & Austin just couldn't get into he game as every ball was being won by the two centre backs who were playing extremely well. Peter Clarke was leading by example as he rose on numerous times to win the aerial challenges against Austin. Burnley did start to look more threatening towards the end of the game as they went in search for the goal which would get them back into the match.

However, it wasn't meant to be as the home side saw the game out with some slick passing play being carried out by the midfield. Lynch was rightly awarded the man of the match award for a superb display which has cemented the Welsh defenders place in the starting eleven.

Full time: Huddersfield 2-0 Burnley

Match Report: Huddersfield 1-1 Nottingham Forest

The first home game in The Championship proved to be a tough one for the terriers as they had to come back from behind to pick up a point against the very impressive Nottingham Forest. In what ended a thrilling match, Huddersfield celebrated a draw like it was a win after eleven long years of being outside the top two tiers of English football. The terriers were given a massive boost when Jordan Rhodes ended a lot of speculation by being named in the starting XI which was announced by Simon Grayson around half an hour before kick-off. Grayson set his men out in a basic 4-4-2 formation with the same selection of players as what face Cardiff City last Friday;

Town Starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, Lynch, Clarke (c), Hunt, Scannell, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Rhodes, Novak.

Huddersfield were handed their first chance of the game as Oliver Norwood crossed for Lee Novak who's near post header was flicked over due to being pressurized from his Forest marker. Nottingham immediately started to pass the ball around and came very close to opening the scoring as the impressive looking McGugan struck the post with his long range effort. The midfielder was controlling things in the early stages of the game and featured in the next chance for Nottingham Forest just a few minutes later. Blackstock put Alex Smithies to the test twice withing quick succession but the young goalkeeper passed with flying colours with two decent saves.

Scannell was looking extremely focused and was regularly running past Brendan Moloney at right back for Forest and in the 21st minute he passed it to Clayton who chipped the ball over the defence into Novak's path. Novak made a beautiful contact with his first touch only to do exactly the opposite with his second as he shot over the bar. Simon Cox was staring to get involved in the game and he should of really given the visitors the lead but he failed to put his shot from five yards out past Smithies in the terriers goal. Smithies then had to pull off yet another amazing save to deny Adlene Guedioura from over thirty yards out.

Half an hour into the game the woodwork came to Huddersfield Towns rescue yet again. Dextor Blackstock had an effort cleared off the line by the terriers skipper, Peter Clarke, before his rebounded effort was deflected by Clayton onto the bar and over.

A tough first half test for Huddersfield.

Half Time: Huddersfield Town 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest started the second half just as they finished the second and were nearly rewarded for their dominance in the 51st minute as Blackstock tried his luck again only to be denied by a typical Peter Clarke block. However, just a minute later it was Huddersfield Town who could of taken the lead as Norwood swung a corner into the box only for the ball to find Southern but he could only put his stabbed shot over the bar of Lee Camps goal.

 The game settled down for the next ten minutes as Huddersfield tried to stop the crisp passing of Forest by keeping hold of possession but they couldn't prevent Simon Cox from giving the visitors the lead in the 69th minute. McGugan had been having a quiet second half compared to the first 45 minutes but he provided Cox with a beautiful through ball and the highly rated striker finished superbly to send the travelling Forest fans into ecstasy.

Grayson stuck to his formation/tactics until making a last ditch attempt to give the terriers some sort of hope by making a double substitution by bringing on both Arfield & Ward. However, things didn't change and the terriers continued to fail to make any sort of opening as Nottingham Forest aimed to see out the game & ultimately all three points. Nottingham Forest started to become under immense pressure late on into the game but it looked like they were going to hold on to a deserved win as the game slipped into stoppage time.

Jack Hunt had spent most of the game being double-marked by Forest who obviously had done their research on the defender but he burst forward with the ball deep into stoppage time and was caught by an unfair challenge inside the box from Dan Harding. Penalty! Jordan Rhodes stepped up for the terriers and calmly slotted past the goalkeeper with the help of the inside of the post to send the home crowd wild. Just seconds after the restart the full time whistle was blown to end the game in a draw.

Rhodes celebrates in front of thousand of
Town fans

Full Time: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Match Report; Cardiff City 1-0 Huddersfield Town

The Cardiff City Stadium

Huddersfield Town travelled to the Welsh capital of Cardiff to take on the side which are tipped to be fighting for automatic promotion at the end of the season. The terriers have had a disappointing pre-season and earlier on in the week got knocked out of the Capital One Cup after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Preston North End. This tie opened up The Championship for what is set to be an amazing, yet tough season for all the teams involved.

The team selections were announced before kick off at The Cardiff City Stadium and this is how the terriers lined up;

4-3-3
Smithies, Dixon, Lynch, Clarke (c), Hunt, Norwood, Southern, Clayton, Scannell, Novak, Arfield.

Jordan Rhodes was not selected in the squad after being announced to be suffering from a Grade One torn hamstring which ruled him out of Huddersfield's first Championship match in eleven years.

Rhodes cancelled out of the opening tie due to
a grade on hamstring tear

The home side started the better and soon were on the attack in front of a large crowd. Don Cowie linked up well with Heidar Helguson and after a neat one two, Cowie tried his luck from the edge of the area but his shot was sent harmlessly wide of Smithies goal. However, the best chance of the entire first half came for the terriers early on after Novak slipped a defence splitting pass through to Scott Arfield who went one on one with the goalkeeper. Arfield took the ball into the area before driving a low curling shot at goal which was well stopped by Ben Marshall in the Cardiff goal. It was a chance which should of really been taken especially in The Championship.

Huddersfield Town started to grow in confidence as the half progressed and they looked calm and collected as Cardiff struggled to break down the well organised formation that Grayson's men were holding. Oliver Norwood threatened the home sides goal from 25 yards out after he teed up a half volley which was dipping into the top corner before Marshall brilliantly pushed it away. It was then Cardiff who created the next half chance through Jordan Mutch who attempted to break the deadlock with a shot from the edge of the area but he could only go close to the frustration of the home crowd. With just five minutes to go in the first half, Norwood and Clayton played some good football before Norwood sent in a another dipping shot which forced Marshall into a full stretch save.

The Town Faithful

Craig Bellamy had been kept quite by Jack Hunt all game but just one minute from time he nearly provided an assist for the opening goal. A free kick was won by the newly named 'Red Dragons' and Bellamy swung in a cross which was met by the head of Helguson but his header smashed the crossbar of Smithies goal. Both sides went in at half time deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half started exactly as predicted with Huddersfield continuing to hold a strong shape and pressing Cardiff players into making hurried passes that often were intercepted by clever defending from the terriers. Jack Hunt was at the forefront of the first meaningful chance in the second half. On the hour mark, the young right-back cut inside from the wing passing Andrew Taylor before smashing a fierce shot just over the bar. Immediately up the other end, Smithies spilled a relatively easy shot which resulted in a goal line scramble as Peter Clarke was forced to clear off the line. Just a few minutes later, Arfield had his second chance of the game to open the scoring after dragging it past his marker in the box only to touch it too heavily before getting his shot away.

Bellamy came to life just twenty minutes from time and he pushed past Clarke with ease before pulling his cross back into the path of McNaughton who was brilliantly denied by the ever agile Smithies. Arfield was in the thick of the action yet again for the terriers as he sent a curling effort goalwards only for Marshall to push it behind and deny the deadlock being broken by the terriers. Just a minute from time it was Cardiff who had the opportunity to take all three points but substitute Joe Mason could only shoot over the bar from just eight yards out.

As the game progressed into stoppage time the game did get its first goal and it was the Cardiff fans which were sent into ecstacy. Joe Mason managed to knock the ball down into the six yards area where captain Mark Hudson reacted quickly to smash home for the home side. A cruel ending for the Town side who looked strong all game to be sent home with nothing. A thoroughly enjoying game which Huddersfield shoud be proud of & can take a lot of positives from before taking on Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

Hudson celebrates his late winner
for Cardiff City

Full Time: Cardiff City 1-0 Huddersfield Town

Match Report: Preston North End 2-0 Huddersfield Town

The terriers traveled to Deepdale to play League One outfit Preston North End in the first round of the Capital One Cup and also the first competitive match for both teams. Huddersfield Town were forced to put out a somewhat weakened team due to numerous international call-ups including their main goalscorer Jordan Rhodes which gave way to Jimmy Spencer to make his first ever competitive appearance for the terriers. Grayson lined his team up with a 4-3-3 formation which included full debutants Clayton, Gerrard, Dixon & Keith Southern.

Preston started the better side and immediately threatened the visitors goal through Mousinho who tested Smithies with a low driven shot which the keeper could only push away. The rebound was pounced upon by King but he smashed his effort wide to the distress of the home fans. The home side forced a corner just five minutes later after a great cross from Laird has to be flicked wide by the Huddersfield skipper, Peter Clarke. The corner was immediately cleared by the terriers but Preston were looking very threatening as Huddersfield struggled to string together their passes.

It took nine minutes before Huddersfield created their first half chance of the game as Spencer flicked on a cross which saw Novak fire tamely at Stuckman in the Preston North End goal. Just a minute later the ever impressive Spencer tried to give the terriers the lead but Stuckman pushed his shot away before Gobern curled the rebound over from the edge of the area. Huddersfield continued to create chances and Clayton played a great ball to Novak who headed down into the path of Spencer but the striker couldn't make the goalkeeper work as he fired over the bar.

The game started to settle down and in the 24th minute good link up play by Spencer, Ward & Clayton gave Dixon a chance but he followed Spencers earlier effort and sent his shot over the bar to the delight of the home fans. Preston opened the scoring just before the half hour mark through Jack King. Alex Smithies failed to claim the ball in the area and his mistake led to a looping header from King nestling into the corner of the net to give the home side a well deserved lead.

Huddersfield tried to get back into the game but Novak couldnt keep an attack flowing after a poor touch from Lee Novak gave possession back to Preston. Things got worse for the visitors just five minutes from time as Preston doubled their lead through Wroe who only had to pass it into the net after a neat cross from Beardsley from the wing. Huddersfield needed half time to come quickly but just before the referee blew for the break they had a chance to bring one back. Clayton broke on the counter attack and pushed forward with the ball but he over hit his pass which would have seen Novak through on goal. Half time; Preston 2-0 Huddersfield.

Huddersfield started the second half brightly after switching to a more basic 4-4-2 formation with Arfield replacing Danny Ward at half time. Spencer skipped past his maker just minutes into the second forty-five before finding Southern with his cross but the midfield veteran can only fire over the bar. Preston then immediately started to press the terriers back into their own half as King linked well with Beardsley before the latter fired at goal to test Smithies who dealt with it comfortably.

Monakana wasn't as dangerous as what he was in the first half but he rifled in a shot at goal which skidded across the surface before just going past the upright of Smithies goal. Huddersfield went straight up the other end and created a chance of their own as they searched to get themselves back into the game. Arfield linked up well with Dixon before the left back crosses low but Stuckmann put an end to the attack by collecting well. They once again linked up well ten minutes before Dixon crossed but it was agonizingly taken away from Novak who was just inches away from converting it into the back of the net.

Gobern tamely fired at Stuckmann just minutes later after being given space due to clever play from Spencer, Arfield & Novak. The home side was under a bit of pressure now from Huddersfield but the visitors just couldn't provide the much needed final pass due to a solid Preston defence denying them any sort of real chance. Just 8 minutes from time David Amoo easily left both Dixon & Arfield for dead before drilling a low cross across the face of goal which was amazingly missed by various Preston players.

As time started to slowly tick away Huddersfield created their best chance of the game after a long ball was nodded down by Alan Lee into the path of Lee Novak who fired a shot which was cruelly deflected wide of the goal for a corner. The referee blew for full time minutes later as the terriers disappointingly crashed out in the first round of the Capital One Cup after a very poor performance.

Full time; Preston North End 2-0 Huddersfield Town

Match Report: Huddersfield Town - Barcelona B

Huddersfield Town hosted the stars of the future, Barcelona B, at the newly branded John Smiths Stadium in a game which was to prove a tough test for the Yorkshire club. The terriers wanted to finish their pre-season campaign on a high and this was proven when Grayson named a strong side 30 minutes before kick off.

Starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, P Clarke, Lynch, Hunt, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Scannell, Novak, Rhodes.

Bench; Bennett, Spencer, Atkinson, Ward, Gobern, Wallace, Woods.

It all started just as we thought it would. Barcelona B passed the ball around as blue & white stripes tried desperately to gain some sort of possession but to no avail. Surprisingly however it was indeed the home side which did create the first half chance of the game and it came from effectively attacking as soon as they received the ball. Norwood pushed forward before hitting a long ball up field which Rhodes brought down well. He slipped past his marker but could only fire wide of the mark after being pressed out to an acute angle.

It didn't take Barcelona B long before they started to create chances instead of just notching up the passes. Agostinho Ca fired in a shot which was deflected wide before Jean Marie Dongou sliced his effort away from goal from 18 yards out under tough pressure from Huddersfield skipper Peter Clarke. Barcelona continued to dominate possession but Scannell showed the first glimpses that the Spanish didn't like being run at. He burst down the wing passing one Barca player before winning the terriers a corner. Norwood swung in the corner and this was met by a stretching Peter Clarke who could only head over the bar for the terriers.

Scannell continued to cause problems for the visitors as he linked up well with Lee Novak minutes later. The winger got the ball played back to him from the new number 9 and immediately lashed a shot across the face of the Spanish goal but no-one could get onto the end of it to steer it goalwards, not even Jordan Rhodes was in the area. Rhodes was dropping deep to get himself into the game & hold up the ball but this left the terriers with very little, even none, attacking threat in the final third of the pitch where they needed the hitman to be.

Barcelona's sheer excellent passing, movement & control of the ball was taking its toll on the Town players but regardless of this, the terriers continued to chase & battle for the game especially in the middle of the park with Keith Southern. Just as the game was nearing half time, Scannell showed Barcelona his heels yet again as he skipped inside and past two players before hitting a pass to Novak who swung a cross into the box only for it to be a metre behind the goal machine Rhodes. The last action of the half provided a double chance for Huddersfield Town who could have easily taken the lead going into the dressing rooms. Dixon had been working the wing all half and his persistent paid off when he received a clever ball from Clayton. Dixon swung a deep cross towards the back post but Alejandro Grimaldo just managed to head away before Novak could get near it. Two minutes later Dixon tried the exact same thing but this time the cross was perfect for the oncoming Novak who met it with his head but it went straight at Jordi Masip in goal for Barcelona B.

Half time approached and the teams went in at 0-0. Huddersfield Town had created the more goal threatening chances but these were few & far between as Barcelona played keep ball for the whole of the first half.

The terriers re-emerged for the second half with an unnamed XI but the visitors made eight changes to their team including the introduction of Gerard Deulofeu who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in the current transfer window. Cristian Lobato struck an early effort for Barcelona B that was deflected wide by skipper Peter Clarke. The chance was created by a neat flick on by Far Kiko & he was in the action again just moments later forcing Smithies to make a save and deny the visitors from taking the lead.

Luis Alberto linked up well with Kiko once again before striking from eight yards out and remarkably missing the target to the delight of the 8000 Huddersfield fans. Town were struggling to get hold of the ball and Grayson attempted to change matters as he switched his side to a regular 4-4-2 formation by pushing Scannell upfront & replacing Norwood with Danny Ward. The terriers continued to hold on but in the 63rd minute the visitors persistence paid off as Dixon was harshly penalised for bringing down Deulofeu in the penalty box. Deulofeu stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted past Smithies to give Barcelona B the lead.

Just 7 minutes later Barcelona B put the game beyond the terriers after doubling their lead through Sergio Araujo who only had to pass into an open net after finding the rebound of an Alberto shot that was well saved by Smithies. Huddersfield Town had to wait until the 75th minute to create their first goalscoring opportunity of the second half. Danny Ward closed the visitors down well before feeding the ball to Jordan Rhodes who crossed well for Atkinson but he failed to create any trouble for the goalkeeper. Scannell once again featured heavily in the next attack for Huddersfield as he pushed down the right wing linking up well with Jack Hunt who swung in a cross which was met by Jimmy Spencer but his glancing header went just wide of the far post.

The home side continued to give the Town fans something to shout about as Clayton drove directly through the middle of the park passing a number of Barca players before making the keeper dive down to his left to keep the terriers goalless. A few moments later Scannell was back to his old tricks as he skipped passed two Barca players before striking from the edge of the area which only just went over the bar. Huddersfield finished the second half very well but it was too late as the referee blew for full time in an exciting game which finishes off the pre-season friendlies for the terriers

Huddersfield Town 0-2 Barcelona B
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Chesterfield 0-3 Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield were on their travels yet again and this time it was to the B2Net Stadium to play Chesterfield in their penultimate pre-season friendly. Simon Grayson went looking for his first friendly victory after being extremely disappointed with his teams last two games. An early starting XI was announced by Huddersfield Town who started both McCombe & Arfield who were returning from injuries that have kept them both out of the pre-season preparations so far for the terriers.

Huddersfield was led out by Antony Kay and it wasn't long before the terriers took the lead through big man Alan Lee. The striker was clinical after an attack which saw Scott Arfield smash the upright before Higginbotham latched onto the rebound only to slide it into Lee who comfortably slotted home.

Nothing much was threatening the away sides goal area and it took until the 21st minute before any effort was sent towards Ian Bennett and it came from Mark Randall. He fired high and wide from range as the terriers started to dominate both possession and territory at the B2Net stadium. It didn't take long until Town doubled their lead in a move which Scott Arfield featured heavily in yet again. The midfielder had started the game extremely well and his chipped cross was perfectly met by the head of Jimmy Spencer who made the back of the net ripple.

Sam Togwell tried to pull one back for the home side as his curling solo effort from 20 yards out just went the wrong side of the post to the delight of the faithful following of Town fans. Four minutes later Bennett got his first chance to make a save after Danny Whitaker pushed his way past Clarke before firing straight into the hands of the experienced goalkeeper. As half time loomed Jimmy Spencer had a great chance to make it three for Huddersfield Town.

The young striker was having a decent game and he found the ball at his feet just 18yards out but lashed his effort miles over the bar when it looked easier to score. The referee blew for half time just two minutes later and it was the terriers who trudged off into the dressing room leading 2-0.

Chesterfield started the second half much better than what their performance in the first half had been and just five minutes in they struck the crossbar of Ian Bennett's goal. Drew Talbot smashed an effort goal bound that had Bennett beaten but luckily it rebounded off the bar to safety and the terriers retained their two goal lead. Talbot came close yet again just minutes after his first chance when he headed a Whitaker corner just wide of the mark.

Chesterfield continued their dominance in the second half and Bennett proved why he is valuable to the squad after brilliantly denying both Whitaker & Westcarr in the space of a few seconds. Whitaker was proving to be a handful for the terriers and he cut in from the wing before pulling his shot wide. Huddersfield were not linking up as well as what they were doing in the first half but just three minutes from time Sinnott latched onto a long ball from Higginbotham before coolly slotting home the third.

The game finished moments later and although Chesterfield battled extremely hard in the second half the game looked past them after Town went in at half time two goals up. The final score; Chesterfield 0-3 Huddersfield Town
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Match Report: Oldham 0-0 Huddersfield

Huddersfield Town travelled across the border to face rivals Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park in the clubs fifth pre-season friendly. With the terriers not picking up a victory in any of their previous friendlies they desperately needed to put on a decent performance as well as start to hit some good form before their clash against Preston in the first round of the Capital One Cup.
Simon Grayson had expressed his disappointment in how his team had performed against Crewe Alexandra mid-week and it was clear from his squad selection that he wanted to win this friendly tie. Jordan Rhodes however was not in the starting XI but was on the bench for the terriers.
The game started off very scrappy with a fair few challenges being made by both teams and it had to be stopped just three minutes in when former Huddersfield striker Robbie Simpson made a very hard & unfair challenge on Clarke. Play resumed minutes later after the skipper had received on field treatment and it was the terriers who nearly opened their account when Danny Ward's cross was deflected goal wards but it was tipped over the bar by Cisak.
Huddersfield immediately threatened again through Kallum Higginbotham as he smashed a volley towards the top corner but an amazing save from Cisak denied the terriers from taking the lead. Ward once again nearly scored a freak goal as his long range effort was deflected just past the post as ten minutes came up on the clock.
Smithies received his first action of the game as he was made to save a drive from Oldham's Taylor which was well held by the Huddersfield keeper. The home side were starting to look dangerous after Huddersfield's early dominance and some great midfield build up play from Oldham allowed Grounds to fire in a cross into the box. Brilliant positioning from Peter Clarke allowed the skipper to clear the danger and give his team a few moments of reprieve before Oldham came back at them.
The game started to flare up once again as both sides sent in hard tackles midway through the first half but it was Oldham who got the next goalscoring opportunity. A well fought corner ball was drifted into the terriers box which Tarkowski latched on to with his head but he failed to hit the target and the game remained goalless. The game simmered down as half time beckoned and under the glorious sun it was Cisak who kept Oldham level once again. Cisak cleared the ball upfield for Oldham but it was picked up by Keith Southern who looked to punish the goalkeeper. He passed to Clayton who in turn played Danny Ward in but Cisak denied the winger once again with a fine save. The referee shortly after blew his whistle to signify half time and both teams jogged in still locked with each other.
Grayson employed three substitutes at half time as Rhodes, Scannell & Norwood came on to replace Spencer, Southern & Higginbotham. The start of the second half nearly brought with it the games first goal as Jack Hunt broke down the wing and curled a cross into the box. Rhodes was just inches away from heading home but he failed to make any contact on the ball and seemed to have been pushed from behind by an Oldham defender. Huddersfield continued to put the pressure on the home side through a Clayton free kick and multiple Danny Ward crosses but none of them could be found by a Town player in the box.
Oldham came the closest to taking the lead in the 57th minute and it was ex Huddersfield striker Robbie Simpson who nearly put them in front. M'Changama flicked in a beautiful cross from out wide and Simpson managed to get a glancing header on it that only just went wide of the upright. Smithies was well beaten in the goals as it looked to drop in but fortunately it went wide for a goal kick to the terriers. Smithies was tested just moments later from a long range drive at goal by Croft but he stepped up to the challenge and saved/held well.
Oldham started to mix things up a bit when they brought on 'trialist A + B' but it was the terriers who looked dangerous especially when Rhodes beat the off side trap. He latched on to a long clearence from Alex Smithies and tried to play Novak in but his strike partner wasn't quick enough to get on to the end of his cross. Two minutes later it was Lee Croft who was behind the terriers defence this time but he shot straight at Smithies and another chance went begging. The game ebbed and flowed between both teams but the best they could both do was create half chances that had no finishing efforts to trouble both sets of goalkeepers.
Huddersfield started a fast counter attack 13 minutes from time but Novak played the ball in too soon for the on rushing Rhodes who agonisingly couldn't keep the counter attack going. Rhodes had looked a level above the majority of players on the pitch and some good link up play involving himself saw a Ward cross cleared off the Oldham line by Grounds. Ward then got another chance to nick the game near the end as Scannell burst down the wing and passed to Woods who's cross was found by Ward but he lashed his effort wide of the goal.
The final whistle soon went after and a well fought friendly came to a stalement end. 0-0 the final score which means that the terriers are still without a pre-season victory under Simon Grayson.

Match Report: Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town travelled to Gresty Road to play Crewe Alexandra in their fourth pre-season friendly. Early team news confirmed the speculation that Keith Southern had joined up with the squad and would indeed make his debut as he was named in the starting XI. Alongside him was Oliver Norwood as Simon Grayson named a very strong side that lined up in a standard 4-4-2 formation.

The match started with the home side controlling possession as Huddersfield were penned back into their own half with Peter Clarke blocking the first shot of the game from Crewe's Pogba. Crewe were out to impressive the home crowd and just as Huddersfield started to come back into the game, through a lively Sean Scannell, the home side took the lead. The terriers were giving away dangerous free kicks in their own half and were punished as Westwood swung one into the box where Clarke was surprisingly shrugged off by Adam Dugdale who volleyed the ball into the net.

Huddersfield immediately went for the equaliser from the restart but Scannell's effort was blocked over the bar after a Danny Ward corner. Minutes later the visitors broke from a Crew corner through the ever impressive Scannell but his flat cross couldn't find Jordan Rhodes in the box and the breakaway goal was off the agenda. The game slowed down as Huddersfield started to obtain more of the possession and as half time approached a Jack Hunt cross was met by Rhodes but his shot was cleared off the line by goalscorer Dugdale and Crewe kept hold of their one goal advantage.

Three minutes before half time Danny Ward got the better of full back Davis and pressed forward only to see his low cross unmet by Rhodes who was agonisingly close to latching onto it in front of goal. The referee soon after blew for half time and Huddersfield went into the dressing room one goal down.

Huddersfield emerged for the second half unchanged but the first chance fell to Crewe Alexandra. Brendon Daniels slotted a great through ball past Jack Hunt who was beaten by Pogba but he failed to punish the terriers by shooting wide with a very tame effort. Fifteen minutes into the second half Simon Grayson made his first substitutions of the game by bringing on Clayton, Woods, Bennett & Oscar Gobern for Norwood, Dixon, Smithies & Ward.

A change of formation soon followed as Huddersfield formed a 4-3-3 to attempt to put more players upfront to grab an equaliser and Southern nearly provided one. Clayton had just been on the field 8 minutes but it was his excellent cross which was found by Southern's glancing header. The Town faithful thought they had got the equaliser but unfortunately it just went past the wrong side of the post. More subs followed by Grayson and Kay nearly made an immediate impact after he managed to get his head on a Clayton free kick but the attempt went well wide of the target.

Time was now ticking down and Huddersfield started to commit more men forward, searching for a late equaliser. Alan Lee was close to threading through winger Kallum Higginbotham but it was intercepted by a solid Crew defence and moments later the referee blew for full time at Gresty Road to finish a strongly competed friendly; Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Huddersfield Town.