It was a night that went well beyond frustration for Lee Clark’s men and the Town support, as Huddersfield took on Hartlepool at a snowy and bitterly cold Galpharm Stadium. With a good win against Peterborough at the weekend, Town were looking to push on and improve on some previously below-par Tuesday night performances, and as the game kicked off in front of a brave 9300 fans, it looked like that would be the case.

Town got into their stride quickly, playing a controversial 4-4-0 formation, with Ainsworth on the right and nobody up front, after the usually superb Cadamarteri picked up a calf strain in the warm up. Hartlepool were immediately pushed onto the back foot where they would remain for the next 90 minutes, as Town started brightly and moved the ball around well. The Monkey Hangers, with a poor away record, seemed content to sit back and look to hit Town on the break, allowing the Terriers to pass the ball freely up to the final third, and hopefully push on from there. To the delight of all Town fans, this is what happened, as Phil Jevons bagged 5 goals and looked unstoppable up top, exhibiting a master class of fox-in-the-box play. Oh wait, hang on, that most definitely did not happen.

Hartlepool had either not done their homework, or were as short on options at left-back as Town in pre-season, as Unsworth’s portly brother lined up opposite the lightning fast Ainsworth down the right flank. Ainsworth had already threatened with some dangerous runs and good balls into the box, and his skill and speed paid dividends for Town in the 9th minute, as he combined well with Holdsworth, drawing his marker and playing a neat pass inside, allowing the Huddersfield skipper to advance at goal and put in a dangerous low ball across the face. Phil Jevons was alert to the run, and like any natural goalscorer, was there to tap the ball home and put Town ahead. No no, I’m wrong again, as it was in fact Hartlepool captain Nelson who felt the urge to give Jevons a lesson in putting the ball in the net, diverting Holdsworth’s cross awkwardly past a stranded Lee-Barret.

It was no less than Town deserved for their early pressure, and the few hundred Hartlepool fans who had braved the journey must have feared a rout. Town continued to pile on the pressure as Hartlepool sat back, but this left them exposed on the counter, and a long clearance up field caught the Huddersfield back line napping. Hartlepool worked the ball down the left, putting in a cross that Butler could only half-clear to an on-rushing Hartlepool winger, who unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the area that Smithies parried superbly round the post. Great reactions from England’s number 1, and a warning from Hartlepool that they were keen to score at both ends, not just their own.

Despite the scare, Town continued to dominate the game, playing almost entirely in the Hartlepool half, with Pilkington and Ainsworth in particular putting in fine displays, as cross after cross flew into the empty penalty area. The Terriers would definitely regret playing without strikers. Ainsworth in particular looked different class, tearing his full back to shreds at every opportunity with stepovers and outright pace that deserved a goal, especially after one of his crosses from a driving run flashed literally a yard in front of goal with nobody able to apply the final touch. It was exasperating to see so many gilt edged chances go begging, but far more were to come.

Hartlepool continued to soak up the pressure, delighted that the referee had told Huddersfield if they dared score a goal of their own they would all be sent off for bad sportsmanship, and countered again on the half-hour, with Nardiello getting through one-on-one with Smithies, but good pressure from the Town stopper meant the on-loan Tyke could only put his shot wide. Again, Town didn’t heed the warning, and shortly after Hartlepool went ahead. For me personally, the goal looked like a very slow unshaven bloke behind the bar, who didn’t know how to count change properly, accompanied by the faint sound of Hartlepool fans cheering. For those without my impeccable timing however, it looked like sloppy defending from Town, as Nardiello was able to slip in Ritchie Jones on the edge of the area, who slid the ball calmly past Smithies. As usual Town were paying the price for not taking their early chances, and went in at the break level.

Half-time entertainment for this match was not the big red tarp, or kicking the ball at cars, but was instead acute hypothermia. Fun for all involved. The second-half kicked off to almost immediate controversy, as Nardiello appeared to slide in late on Smithies gathering a loose ball, leaving the Town keeper down injured, and the home fans chanting for the red. The referee seemed not to have a clear view of the incident, but after a short conversation with his linesman, gave Nardiello his marching orders. From my position, Nardiello was entitled to challenge for the ball, but he left his foot in and the red was warranted. Luckily, after some TLC from the physio, Smithies was able to continue.

There is little point in me describing the match from this point onwards, only to say that Hartlepool went 4-4-1 and dropped even deeper to the edge of their own area. Fair play to them, they were down to 10 and wanted the point, it was the right thing to do from their perspective, and allowed Alex Smithies to make a lovely snowman down the other end, as the game was over for him. For the next 40 minutes it was total domination from Town, with Goodwin pulling the strings in the centre and spraying some beautiful balls out to the flanks for the highly impressive new signings Pilkington and Ainsworth. Town created chance after chance, with so many crosses flooding into the box it is a wonder one of them didn’t just float into the net itself. The home side could do absolutely everything but score, and I’m pretty sure that at some stage every one of the 9 players on the pitch came close. I have never seen such levels of frustration among fans and players, as shots went high, wide or at the keeper. Should Clark have changed it around from 4 at the back? Personally, I think not, as the full backs were basically acting as second wingers anyway, and giving us great width and options. The chances were there on a plate, in fact, that doesn’t do it justice. Imagine a banquet of chances, just begging to be put in. Andy Booth must have been sat in the stand quietly weeping.

Around the 70th minute mark, Lee Clark decided that 9 men wouldn’t be enough to win the game, and Ian Craney was brought on up front. He worked his socks off up top in the time that was left, but still there was no breakthrough, and even the introduction of Werling couldn’t help. With every chance Clark flung his arms over his head in shock and exasperation that nobody could apply the finish and the Town fans in the stand mirrored him. Hartlepool were defending for their lives but doing it effectively. The final whistle went, and the most frustrating 90 minutes of football I’ve ever witnessed was over. Another two points dropped for Huddersfield Town, despite domination on a whole new level. Town had created enough chances for a season of football, but Hartlepool had scored both goals.

Player Ratings:

Smithies – 8 – Had very little to do, but made a fantastic reaction save in the first half, and put good pressure on Nardiello to make him shoot wide.

Holdsworth – 8 – Fed Ainsworth effectively down the right flank, and provided the cross for the goal.

Butler – 7 – Difficult to give him higher because he had so little to do. Should perhaps have done better for the Hartlepool goal.

Clarke – 7 – Similar to Butler, had nothing to do but pass along the back line.

Williams – 8 – Had another good game, combined well with Pilkington and put in some very dangerous crosses to the empty box.

Ainsworth – 9 – Fantastic stuff from the winger in only his second home game. Looked a threat every time he got the ball, and destroyed his full back. Deserved a goal, or at least someone on the end of his crosses.

Collins – 7 – Moved the ball around very well in the centre, but didn’t have his shooting boots on today. Ordinarily for this performance I’d give him higher than a 7, but he should have scored.

Goodwin – 8 – Ran things in the centre, and given all the time in the world because Hartlepool sat so deep. His long balls to the flanks were superb. Should he be captain?

Pilkington – 9 – A different kind of player to Ainsworth, but no less effective, danced around his fullback for 90 minutes and deserved a goal.

Parker – 5 – I may have been a little harsh on Parker in this report, considering he actually put some effort in up front and worked quite hard, but he didn’t get a goal and that is what he is there to do.

Jevons – 2 - I’m not someone who will bash a player without reason or motive, but that ‘performance’ could only be described as inept. The Hartlepool centre-back had more shots on target than Jevons, and they were at his own goal. Needn’t have been on the pitch. The sending off evened the teams.

Craney – 8 – A score for the effort he put in when he came on in comparison to Jevons. He didn’t get a goal, but he showed he wanted one far more than the man he came on for.

Werling – Not on long enough to make an impression really.

Lee Clark – Tearing his hair out on the touchline at every chance that went begging, even turning round and just looking at the fans in disbelief. Kicks every ball, plays every pass, great passion. Did he get it right once they were down to 10? I think he did, others will say he didn’t.

Overall, another 2 points dropped by Town, and the playoffs are edging further and further out of reach. All credit to the Hartlepool fans who made the trip, brilliant effort.

Magic sponge!

Nah he is our first choice and voted player of the century by some fans who made a mockery of the whole award and our clubs history.

Who did you vote for then, Wee??

Chris Lynch.

I imagine you didn't vote, so therefore your opinion on the player of the century is worthless

Whether he is or isn't the player of the century will cause much debate and nobody will ever agree with each other.

Yes he's lost his pace but he does his best. Let's not start the whole Ritchie Humphreys lynching again.

But yes we are short of left backs.

I thought I posted this earlier and someone replied Chris Lynch? Am I losing the plot?

That was meant for TWH!

Chris Lynch and Ritchie are both about as shiit as each other. If I remember right though, Lynch scored a winner past the loids. which was nice. Pretty much every side we play against attacks us down out left hand side as Ritchie is our weak link. We have no recognised left back unfortunately and beggars cant be choosers and all that

He didn't leave his foot in, he simply didn't have time to pull it out.

He is now, has been for maybe 7 or 8 games? Out of contract in the summer and Chelsea, Spurs, Everton, Pompey all sniffing, we'll probably lose him to tribunal, good goalie though.

I was a bit worried when it came to the 2nd half, because you guys are a 2nd half team this season, but I think the sending off meant you had no choice but to sit deep and pray.

Luckily for you we cannot for the life in us play against 10 men, everytime we face them, we fook it up a treat!

bit harsh on a fellow no6

Mr Terrier, please go to the back of the class with the guy from the electric fishcake who seems to have spawned your frivolous reports!!

ok i can live with that

http://www.htfc-world.com/

Im pretty sure this is the same guy, some very funny stuff on here.

I could never take credit for the superb work of Danny G, his website is just brilliant eh?

Not me, but glad you enjoyed reading