Terriers Toothless in Attack

Cambridge United pulled off a cup upset holding high flying Huddersfield Town to a goal less draw at the Abbey Stadium in front of the ESPN cameras

The Terriers struggled to break down the non-league side, as they pressed and hassled their glamorous league one opposition.

Huddersfield Town struggled to create any chances of note in the first half, with both Jordan Rhodes and Benik Afobe relegated to nothing more that standers-by.

Town did come to life in the last 10 minutes of the game, with chances for Pilkington twice, Afobe with a neat turn and strike and Jamie McCombe on as a late sub failing to connect at the back post.

Full credit must go to Cambridge who stuck to their game plan to frustrate Huddersfield and The Terriers can count themselves lucky when referee Paul Tierney turned down Cambridge penalty appeals in the dying seconds, a decision replays showed to be spot on!

So its back to The Galpharm for a replay!

Player Ratings

Ian Bennett 7


Made one Key save from the Cambridge striker Danny Wright

Peltier 6


Solid defensively, but struggled going forward

Liam Ridehalgh 5


A few mistakes from the youngster let in Cambridge but nothing costly in the end

Peter Clarke (c) 6


Solid as usual from the Captain, booked perhaps unfairly

Antony Kay 6


A few scary moments but again looking better at centre-back that centre-midfield

Damien Johnson 6


Keeps the engine room ticking, but struggled to create anything

Joey Gudjonsson 6


A good strike from a free-kick and some good cross field passing displayed by the Icelander, but couldnt break down Cambridge

Graham Carey 6


Came off just after Half Time, was arguably Towns most offensive player first half.

Anthony Pilkington 6


Disappointing by his high standards, had two great chances to win it for Town

Jordan Rhodes 5


May as well have been sat at home first half, with the service cut off, worked hard second half but no chances fell his way

Benik Afobe 5


Same as above, but did have one great chance saved by the Cambridge ‘keeper, certainly an exciting prospect

Scott Arfield 5


Didn’t really have the desired effect as Clark made a looked to change tactics, but left Arfield deployed out of position.

Jamie McCombe 5


You can tell the game is running away from you when a defender comes on and goes up as a striker!

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Lee Clark on htafc.com


‘I was happy with the work-rate, commitment and desire but very disappointed with our quality on the ball and the technical side of the game, such as our crossing and our tempo. I’m happy to still be in the hat.

‘It could have gone either way in the second-half and our hearts were in our mouths when they broke away late in injury time, but our excellent goalkeeper has made that save look simple. We had one or two chances ourselves to be fair, but we’re not being patronising to Cambridge in any way, shape or form – full credit to them.

‘They worked unbelievably hard and my lads have had to match that, which they did. However, I thought our quality was average at best.

and on Afobe’s debut


‘I thought it was quite difficult for Benik in the first half as we didn’t move the ball quickly enough and the two youngsters up front didn’t combine together enough. In the second-half he showed flashes again and he caused them one or two problems with his turn of pace and strength. On another day he could have scored and we are pleased with the progress he is making, but let’s all remember he is a 17 year-old boy.

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