A Terrier's Tale.....

Huddersfield Town 4-2 Millwall

An excellent performance by Town to secure League One football for us next season. Conditions were a little bit blustery, but it was a nice pleasant day - despite some pitiful refereeing, but more on that in a bit. And unusually, there were empty seats either side of me - the regulars who usually occupy them missing for a change.

The Big Screen looks a treat - although I have to say that although I have an excellent view from my seat of course, I doubt that those sitting at the back of the Antich would agree. Pre-match it was showing some of Boothys finest moments for Town (and enjoyable it was too), then when the Town team was announced their pictures appeared - worked well first time, but second occasion when " ...number 2 Andy Holdsworth..." was the player announced, we were greeted with a picture of Frank Sinclair instead!!! But all in all a worthwhile addition, and I hope it stays.

We didn't get off to the best of starts - Martin McIntosh had an awful game, can't see him staying with Town much longer - and a combination of him and Mirf not clearing a corner led to Millwall taking the lead, Darren Byfield beating Matt Glennon with a close range over-head effort.

After that though it was all Town - and I mean all Town. We clicked, and played some lovely stuff - Michael Collins particularly, and it was courtesy of some excellent interplay between him, Fletch and Luke Beckett that Town equalised, when Collins put a deft shot into the far corner. Fletch nearly put Town 2-1 up shortly afterwards when his looping header looked for all the world to be sailing in, but the crossbar had other ideas! Half time and we were dead-locked.

Now, its well known that I am no fan of Mark Hudson, he's someone I hope is shown the exit in the summertime, but today he had a good game when he decided to put it all in - and he put Town 2-1 in front. Luke Becketts shot was cleared off the line, but Huddy was there to follow up the rebound. It then looked like Michael Collins had scored again almost immediately (thought I saw the top of the net bulge to be honest), but it was the underside of the bar that denied us.

Mark Hudson was involved again shortly afterwards, a pass over the top from Luke Beckett, and Hudsons surging run into the box was brought to an end by Senda, a definite penalty - and Luke Beckett put the spot kick away with no fuss whatsoever - we were all in raptures, wonderful, wonderful.

And the scoring didn't stop there. Luke Beckett netted Towns fourth (the first time we have managed that many this season of course), Worthy providing the build-up and Beckett making no mistake with the finish.

Now, the referee - Mr Deadman - has a reputation for dishing out cards like they are going out of fashion (someone near me shouted "...I bet your missus wishes you'd get your credit cards out that easily...") . Now I am not saying Town players are whiter than white here, Michael Collins was rightly booked for stupidity early on, Frank Sinclair was perhaps a bit unlucky (the Millwall player made an absolute meal of the challenge, there was minimal contact), Andy Holdsworth was probably a tad unlucky with his booking - but if it's inconsistency you're looking for you are in the right place! The Millwall players were just as guilty of some shocking challenges, all of which they got away with - unbelievable. Michael Collins got a second yellow late on when there was a altercation involving most players off both sides (GTF looked like he was nutted), the referee deciding Collins involvement was enough to warrant a red card (didn't look much to me, disgraceful decision). However with 2 games left, Town aren't going to bother appealing.

Millwall finished off proceedings with a late, late consolation (only the second worthwhile thing they managed, the first being the other goal), the referee blowing for full time straight after.

Andy Ritchies first home match is an overwhelming success, and I'm absolutely thrilled. With a few new faces added in the summer, and if we can hold onto our better players, we could be on the brink of something here - alright, maybe its a tad early to be saying these things, but I predict a far, far better season next term if we play like we play today - things are really looking up (albeit a bit late). And again, in his programme notes and in his after match interviews AR is saying the things, as a Town fan, I want to hear.


Andy Ritchie on Town v Millwall (written)

Andy Ritchie on Town v Millwall (audio)