Top of the table Huddersfield faced 2nd placed York on Saturday knowing that York had to win to keep up their challenge. So it was no surprise it turned out to be one of their toughest tests of the season. A much stronger York side than the one that Huddersfield defeated 5-3 in York earlier in the season turned up at Lockwood Park and got stuck straight into Huddersfield. It was though a soft goal that Huddersfield conceded as a York forward shot unchallenged into the net.

To make matters worse top scorer Jimmy Swinden then had to leave the field with a recurrence of a hamstring injury. Huddersfield continued to find themselves under pressure and failed to get a foothold in the game until the last 15 minutes of the first half but by then they found themselves 2-0 down after a flowing York move cut open the defence. The midfield worked tirelessly with Kelly and Andy Kaye battling incredibly hard to assert some level of control on the game. Gregory and Courtney also worked hard on the wings to provide an outlet.

The York defence were particularly hard to break down and Huddersfield had to give everything to find an opening. This eventually came as Steve Durrans smashed home when unmarked at the edge of the York area. Huddersfield then had their best spell but half time came before a possible equaliser.

In the second half Huddersfield did improve and York were kept out by the Huddersfield defence with strong tackling from Man of the Match Beatson in particular. Swinden limped back on to try and provide a cutting edge and whilst he struggled to make his usual penetrating runs he did supply a moment of brilliance to draw the game level when he drag flicked a powerful shot into the top corner. He would have won the game but was adjudged to have used his body to put the ball over the line minutes later after a Courtney shot.

York pushed hard and had chances to win but just before full time it was Huddersfield who could have clinched it with Courtney bursting through and playing in Hirst who couldn’t get it past the keeper. Huddersfield were down afterwards due to a lacklustre performance rather than the draw which from 2-0 down could have been worse and it denied their closest rivals a much needed win. Still top with six games to go.

Teams

Howarth
Peachey
Swinden (M)
Hannam
Beatson
Kelly (R)
Gregory
Swinden (J)
Hirst
Courtney
Durrans
Kaye