Huddersfield Town 4 -v- 1 Leicester City
IFL League
Leeds Road Playing Fields, Huddersfield
5th September 1998
Team
LEICESTER CITY
Nobby Newbery, Porl Coulson, Bernie Muollo, Andy Greatorex, Derek Marshall,
Andrew Neal, Tom Butcher, Matt Chater, Phil Bray, Neil James, Rob Watson,
Paul Smith, Rich Morton, Sean Liquorish
(2 of these didn't play, but I'm not sure which 2!!!)
Goalscorer : Porl Coulson
Well the new Internet season dawned for the Electric Yetis this morning,
the first "first" of the season was that this was our first ever away game
in the IFL.
Anyway 12 intrepid souls made their way from Leicester (or wherever) and
arrived at Huddersfield's Leeds Road ground at about 10 AM, ready for the
10.30 kickoff.
Down to business.....
Over on the grass pitch behind the astroturf, the season kicked off more or
less on time, and within 10 seconds of the season starting, the Yeti
crossbar was rattled with a long range effort. Hmm, thinks I, its going to
be one of *those* games :)
With the Leicester team having several new players, trawled from the list
over the course of the summer, it was taking a little while for us to get
to know each other, (let alone play together), and Hudderfield were piling
on the pressure, a header having to be turned around the post for a corner.
The Leicester lads and Lass, were having to play deeper and deeper to try
and contain Huddersfield, who as usual were looking their usual confident
selves. After 25 minutes the game still stood at 0-0, mainly due to a
combination of last ditch defending, and some good goalkeeping from the
Leicester keeper (gotta give myself a good writeup somehow :) ).
Leicester were having to play on the break, and with Porl Coulson chasing
things upfront, were getting a handful of half chances. However, Hudds
were looking increasingly dangerous, until finally a low bouncy shot was
allowed to find its way into the net (D'Oh!). The Huddersfield attacks
were flowing freely now, with Leicester not really achieving too much on
the break, and Huddersfield added two more quick goals. The first was a
good shot from the edge of the box, and the second a neat finish by the
forward, placing the ball around the keeper. 3-0 to Hudderfield and things
were looking a tad tricky...
Another Town attack saw a Leicester defender almost turning the ball into
his own net, but the keeper managed to keep it out, amid much frivolity
from the sidelines.
With Huddersfield sitting back and waiting for halftime, the Yetis managed
an attack on the break, and from a high ball forward, Porl Coulson was able
to stab the ball past the advancing keeper for a well earned goal. This
was right on halftime, and made the score 3-1.
The second half began with a spell of pressure from the Yeti's, camping
inside the Huddersfield half for most of the first 15 minutes. A couple of
good saves from the Hudderfield keeper, and a couple of wayward shots
ensured that the score remained at 3-1. Town, due to their two goal lead
were able to play deeper and soak up any pressure, and attack on the break.
They were still causing problems when they came forward, and as the half
progressed they were beginning to get back into the ascendency. Some good
defending kept the shots down, plenty of good blocking and tackling from
the defenders ensuring the score remained unchanged.
As Leicester began to tire a little, Huddersfield found themselves with
more space in which to work, and they began to overlap the Leicester
defence, keeping the Leicester keeper in practice. The fourth Hudds goal
arrived when from a good move down the right, the cross into the box was
allowed to reach the striker who hit a good shot on the turn, into the net.
Now 4-1 down, the Leicester lads kept plugging away, and at the final
whistle were able to hold their heads high. Some better finishing, and a
couple of deflections and the score could have been a bit closer.
So thats the first game of the new season over and done with, and it was a
most enjoyable one. Thanks go to all the Leicester team for making it up
to Huddersfield, and also to the Huddersfield team for another good game.
This is the 3rd time I have played Huddersfield in the last 6 months, and
they have all been good friendly games. Congratulations to all, and I look
forward to seeing the rest of you teams at the M'Duck Cup next month.
