Huddersfield had their grand slam weekend which started brilliantly but ended sourly with defeat to their only challengers for the title which now means that Huddersfield will probably require three wins from their last three games to be sure of capturing first place. Lincoln are now a point ahead but only have two games left but both look likely wins. The only consolation Huddersfield can take from a weekend that could have seen them all but win the league is that other results have ensured it is still in their own hands.

Huddersfield 1st XI 8 - 1 Sheffield Bankers 3rd XI

Huddersfield started their crucial weekend in superb fashion with an 8 - 1 destruction of 3rd placed Sheffield Bankers. Huddersfield scored first when Kelly played in Courtney before Bankers equalized, however this was the last time they were in the game. Huddersfield made it 2-0 then 3-0 as Hirst first tapped into an empty net after good work from Swinden and then wriggled around his man in the D to slot home into the corner of the net. Jimmy Swinden then scored a trademark drag flick into the roof of the net to put the game beyond doubt before half time.

Huddersfield didn’t let off in the second half and plundered four more goals, Man of the Match Clem Gregory added two goals to his excellent display in both attack and defense, the first he flicked home giving the keeper no chance from the edge of the D. Steve Durrans fired in a shot from a short corner and then Hirst dived in at the far post to reach a Swinden cross and complete his hat trick and an emphatic victory.

On Sunday:

Huddersfield 1st XI 2 - 3 Lincoln 1st XI

Unfortunately this was a repeat of the previous Saturday, same score, same result and same frustration at missed opportunities to seal the title. The game started without a full strength side but with a positive approach as Huddersfield dominated the early exchanges. Courtney down the right was a big problem for Lincoln and the early pressure paid off with a goal from Gregory who powered a shot past the keeper to gain the lead. Lincoln got more possession after this but their main weapon was a long ball up front to a pacy young forward who put the Huddersfield defence under serious pressure.

This pressure told when the defence hastily dived in and the Lincoln forward did well to hold off three chasing defenders, round the keeper and smash the ball home for the equaliser. It was then 2 -1 when one of a string of short corners were converted by Lincoln. Huddersfield then found themselves with a number of chances that they couldn’t convert and just before half time a penalty flick which became the second missed penalty flick against Lincoln in 8 days.

In the second half Huddersfield started well but found themselves 3 -1 down and now chasing the game. From this point it was all Huddersfield, Swinden hit the cross bar, Courtney hit the post and the Lincoln keeper played out of his skin. Hirst and Durrans combined for Durrans to beat the keeper to set up a big last 15 minutes but with all the pressure Huddersfield could not find any further goals. Two games against Lincoln in two weekends have ended 3-2 with a missed flick and a feeling that both games should have been won.

Teams

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