Date: Tuesday February 01
Competition: Npower League One
Venue: Galpharm Stadium
Time: 7 45pm
Referee: D. Deadman
Huddersfield 2 vs 0 Carlisle United
The stadium tannoy system may have announced that a car outside the Galpharm had a window left open, yet in fact it was the visitors Carlisle United who will be awaiting the emergency loan transfer window to open after a lacklustre display.
Two clinically taken and identical goals from Gary Roberts in the space of six first half minutes was enough to seal a comprehensive win and increase the pressure on the chasing pack at the top of the table.
It was the fourth time this season these two sides had met, with still the second leg of the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy to be played next week. The three points for the Terriers leaves the West Yorkshire team only four points behind leaders Brighton Hove Albion.
Both teams lined up with a 4-3-3 formation with both managers wary of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Lee Clark will have called for a positive opening to the game but it was Carlisle who threatened twice inside the opening two minutes.
Former Huddersfield crowd favorite James Berrett fired wide from 18 yards before the away team found the back of the net; only for it to be disallowed by referee D. Deadman.
A Frankie Simek throw from the left touchline bounced inside the six yard box and found the back of the net via the post. The ball however had not touched any player and was correctly ruled out.
Huddersfield replied on five minutes with Anthony Pilkington finding his low drive blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Adam Collin after being put through down the right flank.
Dogged defending from Greg Abbot`s side hushed the home crowd as they looked content to sit back and hit Huddersfield on the break.
A free-kick was awarded to Huddersfield for a tug on Alan Lee`s shirt which brought ironic cheers from the stands. Anthony Pilkington stepped up and curled the low free-kick around the wall from 20 yards but it could not beat Collin.
It was Huddersfield goalkeeper Ian Bennett who was then called into action as he threw himself in front of a Zoko follow up from a fierce Lubomir Michalik free-kick from 35 yards.
Bennett then made a more impressive save on 36 minutes. Zoko again dug out a shot from 12 yards which was heading for the top corner, only for Bennett to show his agility and tip over the bar with his fingertips.
Six frantic minutes before half time saw the home side take a 2-0 lead. Kevin Kilbane, in central midfield, opened up the Carlisle defence with two perfectly weighted ball s with the outside of his left foot. Gary Roberts timed both his runs accurately and shot across Collin to give Huddersfield breathing space at half time.
That wasn’t the end of the action in the first half however. Gary Roberts looked to complete a first half hat-trick as he lobbed the static Collin from 30 yards, only for the ball to land on the top of the net.
In truth the second half didn’t bring much goalmouth action as Huddersfield played some impressive two touch football.
Carlisle Manager Greg Abbot brought on three substitutions before 60 minutes with Robson, Noble and Loy replacing Taiwo, Berrett and Curran. Former Terrier Berrett received a sympathetic round of applause as he left the field.
Two half chances saw Kevin Kilbane had a volley whistle past the post on 74 minutes before needing treatment for cramp. Before Peter Clarke stabbed the ball wide from 6 yards which would have rounded off a very comprehensive and professional performance from Lee Clark`s men.
Five minutes added time was announced by the fourth official to the bemusement of the home supporters which only added to the misery of the 238 travelling Carlisle fans.
Carlisle visit the Galpharm on Tuesday but this time with a 4-0 first leg lead, knowing they are only 90 minutes from a trip to Wembley.
On paper it looks too big of a difference for Huddersfield to overturn but if they can replicate their first half performance for the whole 90 minutes then Carlisle could well be hanging on.
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