Terriers live up to their name for a share of the spoils
Reporter: Michael Yarwood
Date published: 29 September 2008
ATHLETIC 1, HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1
JOHN SHERIDAN’S warning about a danger which lay ahead proved to be exactly on the mark as Athletic were held to a draw by Huddersfield Town.
No, the Boundary Park manager has never predicted global economic meltdown, Boyzone’s embarrassing comeback or, to the best of my knowledge, foretold of Ken Barlow still being alive in 2008, but he was right about the way Athletic would be treated by opposition sides.
Huddersfield battled as though their entire season depended on it, fighting like warriors for whom a point against the League One leaders was a massive triumph.
In response, Athletic battled right back, showing the capacity of Sheridan’s team to give as good as they get. And, as long as they are among the pace-setters, that’s a test they are going to face many times over.
Mixed in with the blood and thunder – and at times the thud and blunder – both sides also did their utmost to inject some entertaining football.
Athletic were less successful than Huddersfield, perhaps because they missed out playmaker Danny Whitaker too often, but even after an impressive start to the season not every point can be based on flair.
To lose their 100-per-cent home record was disappointing, especially in front of the biggest crowd so far, yet no-one can argue with Athletic’s return after eight league games.
Still unbeaten? Check. Still top, albeit on goal difference? Check. Would you have taken that in early August? Erm, that’s just a stupid question.
Saturday’s match was no easy challenge as Athletic were without banned captain Sean Gregan, who was replaced in defence by Stefan Stam, and their whole performance lacked direction before half-time.
Huddersfield made the majority of chances and on-loan striker Liam Dickinson, a handful throughout, ensured everything stuck up front.
That was a quality Athletic lacked, and roles remained largely unchanged after the break as Huddersfield kept the more obvious attacking focal point down the middle.
Athletic needed Andy Liddell’s cunning setpiece to draw level, although their creativity improved as the industrious, ever-willing Chris Taylor saw more of the ball.
This was, ultimately, an uncompromising contest between two sides who might have played better but could not, in any way, be faulted for commitment.
The tackles flew in, with referee Kevin Friend – atrocious in Athletic’s game at Millwall last season – letting too much go and Town skipper Jon Worthington extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.
Now, I’m as tolerant as the next bloke (unless the next bloke is the Dalai Lama, in which case I hold up my hands), but Worthington’s combative streak was allowed to overstep the mark.
He should have been cautioned after 15 minutes for a double challenge on Lee Hughes and Mark Allott; he escaped with a yellow card for virtual GBH, again on Allott; Worthington also clattered Whitaker post-booking; and, while it’s fair play to Worthington for getting away with whatever he could, Mr Friend was far too lenient for the game’s overall benefit.
Athletic knew they were in for a scrap after just 19 seconds when Dickinson set up Ian Craney, whose effort was saved by the advancing Mark Crossley.
Home full-back Kelvin Lomax ventured forward for a rare shot, but the visitors were looking sharper and Gary Roberts fired just wide.
Athletic took around 15 minutes to gain a territorial edge and Taylor, seeking to improve his six-goal haul whenever he was in range, drove at ‘keeper Matt Glennon from 20 yards.
Hughes turned a loose ball into a half-chance, which he curled off target, before Taylor gave Glennon another straightforward save.
Huddersfield had faded, yet they broke through on the half-hour thanks to a blend of good fortune and smart opportunism.
Dickinson’s shot could have rebounded anywhere after being blocked and deflected, but it fell to Craney, who reacted in a flash to score from six yards.
The lead could have easily doubled five minutes later as midfield man Craney again found space and was denied by excellent work from Crossley.
Soon after the break, however, Athletic drew level following Jim Goodwin’s challenge on Taylor six yards outside the box.
Liddell and Allott stood over the ball and appeared to have a breakdown in communication as they touched it to each other and Huddersfield waited for the next move.
Yet Liddell improvised cleverly, hitting a crisp low drive past the stranded Glennon for his third goal of the campaign.
Though Town worked a decent opening when Roberts dashed clear, Liddell might have scored again as his next effort was charged down.
Huddersfield needed brave defending to keep out Allott, while the arrival of Chris O’Grady lent Athletic’s frontline greater physical presence.
The away side, however, weren’t going to conveniently lie down, and they had a deafening penalty shout for Reuben Hazell’s challenge on Dickinson.
Apart from an ambitious 20-yard effort by Hughes, Athletic, despite seeing plenty of possession, still couldn’t give the Huddersfield ‘keeper enough to do.
They appealed for a spot-kick as the game entered stoppage time, only for Hughes to be the guilty party when a deep cross was blatantly handled.
O’Grady then missed the far post by a narrow margin, but Huddersfield – whose league position looks sure to improve dramatically – had been well worth their competitive draw.
Sheridan stays upbeat despite flaws
ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan remained in upbeat mood after his team’s hard-fought encounter at Boundary Park.
Sheridan said: “Obviously we wanted to win the game, but I’ve got to be happy that our unbeaten run is still going.
“Maybe everyone was getting a bit spoiled by the way we’ve been playing. We were off the pace this time, but the lads’ effort made me proud.
“We keep coming back from behind and, although there were lots of flaws in our performance, we keep showing that character.
“Sometimes you’ve got to be satisfied with what you get. I can’t say I’m happy with a draw, but I’m satisfied with the way things are going.
“It was a fair result because Huddersfield knew how we played and made it hard for us. They stopped us creating many chances.
“At half-time I asked the lads to go out and give it a go, so I’m pleased with the response in coming back for a point.
“Huddersfield are in a false position and (manager) Stan Ternent will get it right, but our goal was a cute one by Andy Liddell. That’s what Lidds is – he saw the opportunity, hit it well and maybe caught their ‘keeper a bit off guard.
“After scoring so early in the second half I thought we might go on and win. We tried to do that, but full credit to Huddersfield for the way they played.
“There are lots of things we need to improve if we’re going to become a better team, but we’ve got 10 points from four home games and if we keep up that standard we’ll win promotion.
“The belief is improving and our effort was good, but I just thought we could have moved the ball quicker to cause one or two more problems.
“In other games we’ve opened teams up and created a lot of chances. It didn’t really happen this time, but I accept it and I’ll work on it.”
Huddersfield manager Stan Ternent said: “Oldham are the best team in the division so we can take a lot of heart from this result.
“Their goal was a mistake because our wall didn’t stand firm, but we didn’t give them any clear opportunities.”
