Huddersfield Town 1-0 AFC Bournemouth

3 points in what was a pretty uneventful match in front of less than 7,400. Phil Jevons scored from 3 yards out after Robert Page (man of the match according to Oggy) had headed on Andy Holdsworths corner.

Chances few and far between, but mostly came Towns way. Luke Beckett almost capitalised on a defensive mistake, but dragged his shot wide. No cheer for the 100 or so Bournemouth travellers. Can't even remember them having a shot in anger to be honest.

2 clean sheets since Robert Page signed, good stuff and hopefully a sign of things to come!!


COME ON TOWN!!!!!!

half time - Town 1-0 Bournemouth


Not much action top speak of. Jevons with the goal, had one cleared off the line earlier. Looking good though.

Home action tonight, just to provide a slight distraction, against Bournemouth. Let us all hope that Saturdays good result rubs off tonight - we desperately need 3 points!! It will also be the first time in ages that I will actually be at home and be able to tune into the commontary. Make a nice change from sneaking about at work trying to find out the latest!!

Town to win easily I reckon, 3-0.

Oh my goodness gracious me - Chelsea away again. Last out of the bag we were!!! Unreal. I'm a bit dazed, but hell it's money in the bank for a few new rugby players, I mean, football players (or do I). At least we will have none of this "whose the best looking manager" malarky of last time, as both AR and Avram Grant have both been hit with the ugly brush at some point. I only hope that Avram isn't from the same dirty tricks club as Jose was. playing fringe players, and leaving your big guns out of it until Town equalise.

Looking forward to it, though a bit gutted at being cheated out of an away day (the prohibitive costs will leave me listening to Oggy).

Just over an hour to go before the draw and I am so excited - who will it be? A big Prem side away, or a home draw against Bristol Rovers? My gut instinct is shouting Barnsley at home, but there are 14 other reasons why I'm probably going to be wrong about that!!

The anticipation is almost kiling me!!!

Jonathan Worthington, May 2008 (the dream is still alive)

Oldham Athletic 0-1 Huddersfield Town

Town make the 5th round for the first time in years (6 times in the last 50 years I am told), when Luke Beckett kept his record of scoring in every round intact (and against one of his old teams as well).

Chances were few and far between on a windy day in Lancashire, but Luke Becketts head met a long throw from Nathan Clarke in the 10th minute to put us in the bag on Monday (we are ball number three, folks).

Town had a penalty shout waved away, and Matt Glennon made a couple of saves. Luke Beckett could have sealed things had he met Danny Schofields cross near the end.

All in all a brilliant result, and I have a rather sore head this morning!!! Roll on the next round (I am off that weekend, so am hoping for a home tie or a local away one so I can be in attendance).

OOH TO BE A.........

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Think I annoyed a few down the club last night - hell I was celebrating, so what!! I think I may have mentioned Wembley and UEFA Cup a few too many times maybe, getting a bit carried away - but how often have I had any reason to celebrate being a Town fan recently!!! Sore head though now.............

Cup day - I am quietly optimistic as well. We have put in good performances all along the line in the FA Cup, starting with the Accrington comeback, so I reckon we could do this. 2-0 Town (fingers crossed).

Chris Brandon is gutted he's going to be missing out on Saturday (I bet he is).

Brandon Cup Disappointment

And some better news - Saturday will be a sellout in the Town enclosure.

4600 Followers To Oldham

Other news, but of the worrying kind.

Glennon linked With Birmingham And Coventry

Strongly suspect this could turn out to be true, particularly if he puts in another eye-catching performance against Oldham. Shame, as I really rate him. One of our better players.

A new signing to report.

Town Turn To Page

Sounds just what we need to shore up our leaky defence. Might give Nathan Clarke a well deserved kick up the backside (or a punch in the gob, this guy has got previous).

AR is delighted.

Experience Invaluable - AR

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Huddersfield Town

A richly deserved point for town today, the main talking point was Chris Brandons sending off after the final whistle - more of that after.

A goalless first half, despite chances for Andy Holdsworth, Luke Beckett and Chris Brandon to open the scoring for Town.

Brighton were the first on the scoresheet however, Elphick rising highest to meet Cox's corner but Town were not behind for long. Robbie Williams scored his first Town goal with a glorious free kick 3 minutes later.

Chances for both sides to win it, but a draw it remained. The action didn't end there; right on the final whistle an altercation between Chris Brandon and Brightons Gary Hart resulted in both being sent off (the former retaliating after being scythed down by the latter).

AR on Brighton v Town (written)

AR on Brighton v Town (Audio)

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Been a bit of a heated topic on DATM, Brandos sending off, with reactions ranging from "...sack him...", to my "...get a grip, he hasn't been sent off in over 2 years...". I don't recall that sort of over-the-top type postings when Frank Sinclair gets his regular red card (is it 2 or 3, cannot remember). On here, I only said when Danny Adams got his 2 red cards that that would be the end of his Town career (and I was right). To suggest CB have the book thrown at him is ludicrous. I haven't seen the incident , granted, but it surely cannot be as bad as all that. Might mean him being missing from the cup game next weekend though (gutted).

Two of our youngsters get new deals.

Contracts for Eastwood and Killock

Was impressed with Shane Killock when I saw him play against Crewe, and Simon Eastwood is a decent prospect, so good work by Town here.

Also, next Tuesdays match against Swindon has now been moved to Tuesday 4th March because their cup replay was postponed last night and it has been reschedueld for next 22 January.

Huddersfield Town 1-3 Gillingham Town

Rubbish. I don't know how we do it. Premiership beaters one week, League One also rans the next, its baffling.

Chris Brandons 2nd goal in as many games gave Town the lead just after the half-hour mark, but that was as good at it got as a hat-trick of Nathan Clarke schoolboy-errors gave The Gills a well deserved victory (a goal for Delroy Facey of all people to add to the embaressment). Most supporters would have been unaware of a late sending off for Gillingham for a two footed tackle on Frank Sinclair.

Andy Ritchie has some serious questions to answer in my opinion after that spineless performance.

We might only be 10 points off the playoffs, but more worryingly we are 6 points (would have been only 4 if Luton hadn't gone into admin) from the drop zone, and there are clubs with games in hand just behind.

AR on Town v Gillingham

Ronnie Wallwork is no longer a Town player.

Wallwork Signs For Wednesday

To be honest I am a little disappointed at this news, as the times I saw him play he looked quality, but with his sky-high wages the money saved will now be (hopefully) invested elsewhere.

****

It is only a fiver to get into watch Town v Gillingham tomorrow - if you are a Town fan that is, if the rumours are correct. Have sent a quick e-mail to the club trying to clarify the situation, as to charge Gillingham fans full price, but discounting all other parts of the ground is a disgrace.

Edit: The reply -

No afraid not the home fans tickets have been sponsored by 6 local companies and it has therefore been allowed as a local special price by the Football League.

How much would it have cost for them to discount a couple of hundred Gillingham tickets as well. Bad PR for us this.

Ok, seems like someone (who should know better) on DATM has caught everyone hook line and sinker with that story about Andy Holdsworth - no truth in it whatsoever apparently, going to show how quickly a rumour can spread like wildfire!! Glad it is not true incidentally, it is more likely the initial story about the interest in Nathan Clarke is a bit nearer to the mark.

This year is our centenary of course, and to celebrate the occasion Town are giving the fans the chance to select next seasons strip. Whichever of the 3 designs wins the vote we will wear, as modelled below by Malvin, Andy and Lucas. Not much to choose between both the striped kits (not taken with the red I'm afraid), but narrowly voted for the middle one.

Phil Jevons makes his move permanant in typical Town fashion, an undisclosed fee! Good move this, he'll do well for us.

Jevons Signs For Town From Bristol City

Jevons Signs (Official Site)

Disappointing news time everyone. It is not official yet, but it is as good as, Andy Holdsworth will sign for Preston North End for, a paltry, £300,000. I'm gutted. The rumours earlier in the week were suggesting they were after Nathan Clarke for £200,000 - in that case the fee for AH should be over the million mark to keep things in proportion!!

£300k, probably about the going rate for a Kiwi and a couple of Aussies - yes, I would think there is more chance of Jon Sharp reaping the rewards than Andy Ritchie.

Matt Glennon thinks we have every chance against Oldham.

Glennon - We Can Win This

The most interesting bit of that article doesn't concern Matty G or the Cup:

"..Town, who tackle Gillingham in a League I game at the Galpharm on Saturday, say they have had no contact from Preston, who are believed to be interested in Nathan Clarke..."


No contact = yes contact in my opinion - watch this space!

Oldham Athletic it is then. Not the glamour tie we wanted. **GROAN** . Still, they are in our league, not having the best of seasons either, we must have a decent chance of progression (shame we wont make much in the way of dough out of this unless we win of course).

Ball number 18 is Towns lucky number in the bag for the 4th round which is due to be drawn in 1/2 an hour. Who will it be - first news here!!

More reaction from yesterdays game:

AR on Town v Brum (video)

Luke Beckett Interview

Yesterdays goals for your delight!!!!!!

Huddersfield Town 2-1 Birmingham City

Would you believe it!! After some ropey performances in the League (putting it mildly), it finally all came together in front of 13,500 spectators at a cold and blustery Galpharm. If anything was going to level things up for the 2 sides, it was the pitch - covered in sand, a legacy of egg chasers and poor weather!! A nice surprise (for me) was the recall of Chris Brandon, and proof (if any were needed) that I still have much to do as far as young Luke is concerned, was the fact that he easily recognised 1/2 a dozen of the Birmingham players during the warm up.

Town didn't keep us waiting too long for a goal - Crish Brandon got the ball to Danny Schofield, his shot was parried as far as Luke Beckett - he doesn't miss from a yard very often - dreamland (and finally something for my nephew to cheer at the 5th time of asking).

Birmingham were back on terms not long afterwards, with probably the only decent chance they had, Gary O'Connor easily slotting away his chance. Chris Brandon had a chance to put Town back in front, but his header hit the side netting. 1-1 at half time.

Cameron Jerome must have wished he'd not made those derogatory comments about Town this week, he was a substitute and got non stop bird as he warmed up in front of the LB Lower. Someone shouted "..career suicide.." and I wouldn't argue. When he finally entered the fray he was heartily booed every time he got (and usually) lost the ball, and made no impact whatsoever.

Just when we thought a replay at St Andrews was the likely outcome, more drama. Luke Beckett took the ball down the far side, his precise cross meeting the foot of Chris Brandon - and he made no mistake, to leave us all in raptures (I hope the numpties who booed when CBs name was mentioned pre match hang their heads in shame). A nervous 10 minutes ensued, but we managed to ride it out, to provide a shock of the highest order, a very proud day to be a Terrier indeed. Magic!

AR on Town v Birmingham (written)

Well, I've just finished warning Luke he may see yet another blank-goal-day for Town tomorrow. He is looking forward to going though (not been put off yet), and so am I. There can often be a shock or two in the cup, whose to say it isn't our turn?

A narrow victory?? Or a thrashing?? We wait and see...............

Should be our biggest gate of the season so far tomorrow, but if these stats are right, poor for the visit of a Premiership club (albeit one it is not so long ago we were playing in the league (lest we forget *sob* - we owe them for that one))!

On Course for 12,500 At Least

Been reliably informed that PJ is the guest on Soccer Night tonight. He still gets to me even after all these years, should be old enough to know better **blush** some things are destined never to change.......

My tickets for Saturday arrived today. You know something, even though we have been pretty piss poor in general of late I am still getting the flutter of excitement in the pit of my stomach ahead of the game, and it is only Wednesday!! Why watching Town has that effect on me even after all these years I do not know - it is one of those things that will not go away!!!

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Town throw away a decent chance against 10 men with some pathetic tactics (and folk used to grumble at PJ for his tactics, but this is even worse than that imo). AR took it upon himself that one up front was the way to win this game.......

Forest had Kelvin Wilson sent off for a professional foul on Malvin Kamara in the 35th minute - Town rewarded with a penalty, which Phil Jevons dispatched with aplomb.

Still Town persisted with 1 upfront, instead of trying to attack (how bloody well negative can you get ffs) now we had the extra man. It was still 1-0 to Town at half time.

Both Jon Worthington and Malvin Kamara picked up injuries resulting in both being subbed (hope it is nothing too serious).

Not surprisingly Town managed to concede not once but twice. 68th minute, a goal with some fortune - Forest sub Chris Cohen with a shot that ricocheted off a Town foot to beat Matt Glennon. And just when it looked like we might just scrape a draw, 2 minutes into injury time Lewis McGuigan lost his marker and rifled an unstoppable shot.

AR on Forest v Town (official site)

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I'm going to lay the blame firmly with Ritchie for this one. Why oh why, with a side that was still smarting from a drubbing last weekend and down to 10 men, did we persevere with 4-1-4-1. Thought that formation had died out during the Jacko era. It is a disgrace, and I am furious. Not said Ritchie Out yet, but I am a gnats gonad away from it I truly am.

Town start 2008 with a tricky away day at Nottingham Forest. No-one will need reminding what happened last season, and although I cannot see us winning I don't think we will be thrashed. Lets keep it respectible........


A look back at 2007 courtesy of The Examiner.

2007 - What Happened

Andy Ritchie insists that Luke Beckett will not be leaving in January.

AR - Beckett Knows He Is Staying

(The Examiner headline of "Beckett Is Going Nowhere" could be a tad misconstrued........)