Huddersfield turned up at the York pitch determined to put a stop to the recent string of losses (5 in a row), in fact they were so determined that they turned up 25 minutes before the opposition, courtesy of Gurveer Birdi’s brilliant time management skills, but it gave Chris Bailley a chance to be “inspirational” (loud and shouty!). Some new thinking was needed against a team who were 5 places above them in the league at the start of the day and el capitano, the tactical genius that he is, decided that if the team were to survive, it would be done by scoring more than the opposition (or by hitting them really really hard). With this in mind (and the fact that we only had one central midfielder) the team set up in a 4-3-3 formation with 5 players in the starting line up who can all play as forwards.

Huddersfield completed a fantastic double header weekend which sees them extend their lead at the top of the Yorkshire Premier League to four points with a game in hand.  Huddersfield were at their very best dominating from start to finish.  Hirst opened the scoring from a Jimmy Swinden cross and Gregory smashed home to double the lead after a goal mouth scramble.  Swinden then played a sublime pass to pick out a Hirst run which found him one on one with the keeper who he slotted past for 3 - 0 at half time.

Huddersfield started their crucial double header weekend with a heavy 6 – 0 defeat of second bottom Doncaster.  Huddersfield dominated from the start and created numerous chances but spurned them all.  The Doncaster keeper was exposed at least five times in the first 15 minutes with Durrans going close and also hitting the post.  Hirst was through on the keeper twice but hit the bar once and shot wide the second time.  Huddersfield were patient though and when Courtney pounced on a rebound they had their deserved lead at half time.

Huddersfield took their good form from the previous week with them to Doncaster to record their biggest win of the season. In a fixture that has always proved to be tricky in previous seasons Huddersfield took a little while to settle at the start of the game. Although the away team created some good chances and were passing the ball around well they were unable to find the back of the Doncaster net. The Huddersfield defence were kept busy but always looked in control with solid performances from Mills, Maddeford, Taylor and Si Waterhouse helping to calm Huddersfield nerves. Andy Swindells again worked hard in a defensive midfield role and Huddersfield gradually began to assert themselves. From a free hit just outside the D Hindmarsh found Gary Waterhouse free, his deft reverse touch found the back of the net and gave Huddersfield the lead from which they never looked back. Man of the match and birthday boy Oli Durrant made several superb saves from Doncaster attacks before Huddersfield scored two goals in quick succession just before half time. Maddeford finding the back of the net with a trademark short corner strike and Beaumont finishing off an excellent move involving Abbey and Kullar. The second half saw Huddersfield put together some superb hockey. The ball was moved swiftly from the defence through the midfield and to the attack. Abbey scored the first of his two goals early in the second half, following a short corner and swiftly after Beaumont added his second to cap a good performance. Kullar finished off another fine Huddersfield counter attack and Connell finished well from the top of the D. It wasn’t quite all one way traffic and the Huddersfield defence were continually called upon to work the ball clear. Arguably Huddersfield best goal came from a powerfully struck Maddeford pass from one side of the field to the other, it found Abbey free on the 25, he collected well and struck a first time shot past the hapless Doncaster keeper. Huddersfield could have scored more, Moscrop and Beaumont having further good chances. An excellent performance that stands Huddersfield in good stead for a tricky home game against second placed Normanby Park next week.

An excellent game involving two good sides ended in a 3-3 stalemate on Saturday, the result also all but ended both teams’ chances of promotion this season. A much improved Tadcaster from previous seasons started the stronger of the 2 sides and it was only strong defending from Mills, Si Waterhouse, Taylor and Maddeford that kept the away side at bay. Oli Durrant in the Huddersfield goal made some fine saves to keep the scores level. Huddersfield gradually began to find their game and, although clear cut chances were proving hard to come by Lee Maddeford gave Huddersfield the lead after a slick short corner routine saw him fire past the stranded Tadcaster keeper. Soon after, a skilful run from Brett Kullar won Huddersfield their second short corner, an identical routine saw Maddeford again fire a superb shot past the away team keeper. Tadcaster came back strongly and always looked like they were going to score which they duly did despite the best efforts of the Huddersfield defence. A very evenly matched first half ended with Huddersfield a goal to the good but knowing that they would need to work extremely hard as a team to get a result. As expected Tadcaster started the half strongly, Huddersfield showed great character and commitment in all areas however, and Tadcaster were unable to convert their chances. A returning Gary Waterhouse, Chris Abbey and Luke Kelly had strong games in the midfield, the latter eventually finding himself free in the Tadcaster D, he slotted home well to give Huddersfield a 2 goal cushion. Unfortunately, having worked hard all game, the home team’s fitness began to waver and Tadcaster began creating more chances. A short corner allowed them to pull a goal back with about 10 minutes remaining in the game and in the last 5 minutes a well hit cross into the D was lifted dangerously towards the penalty spot, It was met by the Tadcaster centre forward who made contact with it at shoulder height with his stick, sadly for Huddersfield the ball ended up in the back of the net and the goal was given by the away team umpire. An unfortunate way to end what had been a good performance. On balance, probably a fair result, but Huddersfield left the pitch feeling very hard done by. They have a chance to get back to winning ways next week as they travel away to Doncaster.

Huddersfield took no time in defrosting after the recent cold snap with a hammering of Leeds Carnegie at the Adel Memorial ground. Seven games now unbeaten keeps Huddersfield top of the table and still with games in hand.