Huddersfield v Farsley (Match Report)
By Leeds_Terrier
August 1 2002
Click to view the full match report for the away game against Farsley Celtic...

Tonight saw the mighty Town take on Farsley Celtic of the Unibond Division 1 at Farsleys ground, Throstle Nest. With the game against Sheff Utd called off, some first team regulars got a run out. The team was;

1. Senior
2. Heary
3. Hay
4. Mattis (c)
5. Brown
6. Dyson
7. Clarke
8. Irons
9. Stead
10. Launders
11. Smith

Unfortunately I didn't get the names of any of the subs as the announcer went through their names really quickly, in fact I only discovered who Doni Clarke was when one of the players shouted "Doni" at him during the first half.

Dwayne Mattis was celebrating his 21st Birthday today and presumable that is why he was Captain, to the announcers credit he did make a big thing of this before the match and Dwayne received the reception he deserved on this occasion.

From the off Town took the game to Farsley although you sensed that they were holding back. It wasn't long before Town took the lead. On 6 minutes a corner from the Town left, taken by Kenny Irons was only cleared as far as Martin Smith on the right wing, he crossed the ball for Nat Brown to plant the ball past the Farsley keeper.

This then marked a period of Town pressure, with the three front men Stead, Smith and Clarke looking dangerous. I must admit I was really impressed by Doni Clarke, he was full of running and looked to have some skill as well. The second goal arrived on the quarter hour mark, that man Clarke again ran down the left wing and played a ball into the area which was only cleared to Kenny Irons who was about 10 yards outside the box, his shot took a defection off a Farsley defender and went into the back of the net.

At this point Town looked to be cruising, although defensively we did look a little shaky. On 22 Farsley fired a warning shot with a break down the right, the ball was whipped in for an overhead kick from a Farsley striker, the shot hit the inside of Phil Senior's post and bounced away - Town could count themselves lucky.

However 3 minutes later Farsley pulled one back. From a Town corner, Farsley broke down the right hand through their impressive number 11 Wes Freeman, his cross was met by a Farsley striker and the score was 2-1.

Town took control of the game again with Irons and Launders spraying passes around, Clarke, Stead and Smith running menacingly at the Farsley defence. Town had another chance when Mattis broke down the right and put a cross in that Stead met with his head, the Farsley keeper managed to parry and a defender hacked it away for a corner. Town had another couple of chances mainly created by Martin Smith running (no really!!) at the Farsley defence and trying to place shots from the edge of the area past the home keeper, in my opinion once Smithy gets a goal, he'll be on fire!!

Town got their third on the stroke of half time, a break down the right by Smith who crossed to Dwayne Mattis, who calmly placed his shot passed the Farsley keeper. Yipee 3-1 at half time.

The second was a bit of a non event really - ten minutes into it Town made 7 substitutions with Heary, Mattis, Brown, Irons, Stead, Launders, Smith all going off and some academy lads coming on. Farsley had a chance when a cross from the right was only pushed away by Senior, only for the resulting ball in to be gathered by him. The other chance of note fell to Town, the academy lads obviously wanting to make an impression broke quickly down the left (and when I say quickly, I mean quickly!!!) the ball was played to the edge of the area where one of our strikers hit a tremendous shot which the home keeper did well to tip over.

All in all a satisfying result, to be honest Town never got out of second gear but the young lads who were in showed promise. A special mention has to go to all at Farsley, it is such a friendly club and it proved for a relaxed atmosphere. The clubhouse was good as well, with a pint of Carling Premier only costing £1.50!! served by an attractive girl called Nicki I believe!! Should we play them next pre-season I'll definitely go along.

Players ratings

Senior - Had nothing much to do, commanded his area well enough - reminds me of Margetson but better in the air.

Heary - Not really troubled, a couple of stray passes but a decent performance.

Hay - Not comfortable at left back, got caught a couple of times but was willing to attack, looked better second half when switched to right back.

Mattis - Solid performance and scored a goal, what more can you ask?

Brown - Looked a little shaky to start off with, has a good header on him and looks comfortable on tha ball

Dyson - Decent enough performance, never really troubled - I think we should offer him another 12 months.

Clarke - Excellent, looks to have a real promising future - I was really impressed by him and look forward to seeing him in the first team.

Irons - Solid performance, seems to have got some energy again, actually chased back for balls and passed the usual good passes. Very vocal as well!!

Stead - Reminds me of a young mobile Andy Booth, slipped a couple of times on the turf, but with a bit more coaching could turn into a decent Striker.

Launders - Passed the ball well enough, made a couple of intelligent runs and had a calming effect on a couple of the youngsters. Ducked out of one challenge which I suppose is only natural when you've been injured like him, I'd sign him up.

Smith - Not fully fit yet, but is looking dangerous - he is a class apart, always wanted the ball, played a beautiful cross with the outside of his left boot, just needs a goal. He also ducked out of a challenge or two.

STAR MAN: Doni Clarke - mark my words this boy is something special!!

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With special thanks to Leeds_Terrier for the match report.

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