Honours even at Sixfields

Huddersfield got a good point at Sixfields yesterday as they came from behind to get a 1-1 draw with Northampton Town thanks to a surprisingly first of the season goal from Dave Mirfin. Both sides tried to move the ball around on the floor and it served as a good example of the attractive style that Andy Ritchie wants from his team.


Town started the game in their expected 4-4-2 diamond formation, but for the first time this season Jon Worthington was given the more advanced midfield role.

Town had the ball in the net after 6 mins Jon Worthington's run from midfield was found by Luke Beckett after a great knock-down by McAliskey, but his lift over keeper Mark Bunn was ruled out for offside.

Town had taken control of the game past the half-hour mark, pushing their hosts back into their own half and passing the ball around well in midfield. The Terriers were composed in possession, never looking rushed when on the ball and picking their passes very well.

At half-time, Andy Ritchie could have been proud with his side's performance as they had weathered a rocky patch early on to look in control of proceedings come the 45th minute.


Half-Time: 0-0


There were no substitutions at half-time and the game restarted with the same quick tempo.


The home side made their first change of the evening on the hour mark - one that got everyone in the ground off their feet. Ian Taylor's career came to an end as he was withdrawn for David Hunt.


GOAL - Northampton took the lead in the 64th minute.
A long throw from sub David Hunt from the Cobblers right was met by the head of tall left-back Andy Holt, who expertly guided his header in off the bar from just inside the box. It was a very simple goal and against the run of play, given the dominance in possession that Town had enjoyed since the 30-minute mark.


GOAL - Town equalised in the 75th minute through David Mirfin - his first of the season. A long free-kick by Joe Skarz from the halfway line was cleared only to Martin McIntosh who headed the ball back. There, Mirf climbed highest and nodded the ball into the far post from 10 yards out. The goal had come out of nothing, much like the opener, and it was the firs goal scored by a Town defender this season.


SUB - Andy Ritchie made his first substitution of the game in the 77th minute, replacing Adnan Ahmed with Danny Racchi.

SUB - A minute later, Jordan Robertson was replaced up front by Kenny Deuchar in Stuart Gray's second change of the game.

SUB - Gray's final change of the evening followed in the 83rd minute, as Reading loanee Simon Cox was replaced by Sam Aiston.

John McAliskey almost scored a winner two minutes later as he flicked an excellent Joe Skarz corner wide of the far post from all of three yards.

SUB - Another debut for Town, as in the 87th minute Lucas Akins came on in place of the hard-working Luke Beckett.

BOOKING - Mark Hughes was lucky to stay on the pitch when he pulled back Andy Holdsworth as he was breaking through on goal. It was only a booking because there was a covering defender in the middle.

The Town fans behind the goal were wanting a goal for debut-man Akins and they were nearly rewarded as he flashed a header from an excellent Sinclair cross wide of the goal deep in injury time.


Huddersfield Town

Matt Glennon, Andy Holdsworth, Mark Hudson, David Mirfin, Jon Worthington (c), Adnan Ahmed (Danny Racchi 77), Frank Sinclair, John McAliskey, Martin McIntosh, Luke Beckett (Lucas Akins 87), Joe Skarz


Unused Substitutes: Simon Eastwood, John McCombe, James Hand


Attendance: 5,842

Travelling: 501

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