HTFC – Lucky Town through to round 2

Lucky Huddersfield Town progress to round two of the FA Cup after a last minute hoo hah at the Galpharm Stadium this evening

After playing for 179 minutes against non-league Cambridge, Town were second best in every department, but The Terriers sprang into life as they were on the verge of being dumped out of the competition at the first hurdle.

Rory McAuley had given the plucky visitors the lead on 53 minutes, a lead that they thoroughly deserved.

Town were out of sorts again, perhaps thinking that they could turn up and roll Cambridge over on home soil.

It wasn’t until the last minute that Town really took the tie by the scruff of the neck and Lee Peltier popped up with his first goal for the club when many, myself included and resigned themselves to the fact that it didn’t look to be our night.

There was barely time for the joy of equalising to sink in, and as we were all contemplating the extra 30 minutes to be served up, Gary Roberts popped up to break Cambridge hearts with what proved to be the winner.

Player Ratings

Ian Bennett 6
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Lee Peltier 6
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Liam Ridehalgh 5
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Peter Clarke 7
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Antony Kay 5
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Damien Johnson 6
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Scott Arfield 5
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Gary Roberts 6
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Graham Carey 5
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Alan Lee 4
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Benik Afobe 6
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Jordan Rhodes 6
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Jamie McCombe 5
.

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Manager Rating
Lee Clark 6

Struggled to get the team going, but ultimately a win is a win.

I’m sure the players will feel his wrath this week in training

Opponent Rating
Martin Ling 9

Tactically Cambridge were superb over both legs, and they will be thoroughly gutted to be going home out of the cup.

Lee Clark speaking to htafc.com
“Up until the substitutions I was very disappointed with the performance, but I think the three subs galvanised us and gave us a new focus.

“Following that we created plenty of chances but were being denied by their goalkeeper and defenders. When the game is going like that you just don’t think it’s going to happen, but our prolific goalscorer Lee Peltier pops up to equalise!

It’s fantastic testament to Cambridge over both games they took us right to the wire and look a very well organised side. We made bad decisions during the game, and when you do those sorts of things it leads to frustration and that spread amongst the team. Even after I had had a word at half time we still didn’t respond and it wasn’t until they scored that we came to life.

“The character and spirit of the team is magnificent. In our last match we weren’t brilliant and the same can be said for an hour of the game tonight. However, we stuck at it and have got a win and hopefully that will kick start us.

“Gary (Roberts) was struggling to get into the game and it wasn’t until Graham Carey went off and he switched to the left that he got some joy. We were a little concerned at first that we had brought him back too early, but he showed with his goal that he is ready, which is excellent news for us.

and on Alan Lee, Carey and the cup
“Both Alan Lee and Graham Carey have picked up knocks and currently getting assessed. Anthony Pilkington is in London getting treatment on Wednesday and Thursday and then we will see how he is, but if he isn’t 100% right we will not risk him at the weekend.

“You can become frustrated, but you can never give games up. We have seen lots of games that are won and lost in the final few minutes but the lads kept going and the three substitutes have made a big impact for us; they gave us a bit of spirit and kick to help us make chances. Cup football is about winning, but of course we want to play better. The job is accomplished now, but we will need to be better in the next two League games – that’s for sure.”

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