A Terriers Tale

On paper it looked easy, however on rain sodden grass it was a different matter as Towns defence went to sleep each time we had took the lead to carelessly hand bottom side Tranmere a precious point.

Town opened the scoring on 6 minutes with Lee Novaks angled drive, however the lead lasted all of two minutes when although Alex Smithies had made a good save, Rovers Ian Thomas-Moore gleefully smashed home the rebound.

It remained honours even until the second half when Michael Collins 15 yard shot, after a lovely Town passing move, gave us the lead again.  Two minutes later (again) Robbie Williams was caught napping, and Tranmeres craig Curran made no mistake in placing the ball past Alex Smithies.

The perfect script looked to have been written, when former Tranmere man (and their current player of the season) Antony Kay found himself on the end of Lee Peltiers cross (a big pat on the back for AK by the way for the understated nature of his celebration, clearly he takes no pleasure at seeing his former team at the wrong end of the division).

Another 2 minute lead was snuffed out when substitute Michael Ricketts (with the sound of "we all hate Leeds scum" still ringing in his ears) gently touched a free kick past the Town defence, despite their best efforts at keeping it out (it was over the line, I know it was).

Lee Clark rues his dozy defenders.

Lee Clarke on Town v Tranmere post match

Lee Clark has been nominated for Manager Of The Month for November.  Our reverse at Swindon aside, we have been faultless and scoring goals for fun.  Should be a certainty, and I will be much miffed if he is not rewarded.  It would also provide the perfect lift prior to our game against Cheats United - a dinnertime kick off as ever, as dictated by West Yorkshires finest.

In what will be my last Town match of 2009, i will be heading across to what will no doubt be a freezing Galpharm tomorrow night for our fixture against Tranmere.  And in a development I saw as unlikely, given the late finish, my sister has authorised Lukes attendance also.

Rovers are a poor shadow of the side we saw Town lose to at Prenton Park last season, we signed their Player of the Season, Antony Kay (who scored two for them that day) - rumours abound that Lee Clark, erm, **whispers** tapped up /**whispers** said player after the game!!  

The wheels well and truly fell off for them when Ronnie Moore was sacked and John Barnes brought in as a replacement, a move that had s-u-i-c-i-d-e written all over it.  Barnes has also since been fired of course, and Tranmere are struggling to recover from the atrocious start his managership brought about.

As a result, should be a banker home win.  Anything less would have to be seen as unlikely given our form.

Lee Clark looks forward to the game, and has some kind words for his Tranmere counterpart Les Parry.

Lee Clark on Town v Tranmere pre match

I had the local radio on during my short trip home, wanted to hear the Vale fans take on the game.  Mainly they were crying into their beer, grumbling that their season was dead already (they need a goalscorer as a priority in January, anyone there could have seen this).

There was one random caller who claimed that not only were Town only slightly better than Vale and were lucky to win, and that Nathan Clarkes goal was a "..fluke of the highest order, could have gone anywhere.."!!  Wonder what match he was at, not the same one as me I can tell you that for nothing.

Some final observations - the main stand at Vale Park is no nearer completion than it was on Towns last appearance there 18months ago, the same stand is now called "The                  Stand" (ie it is sponsorless), and the clock over there was stuck on 3 o'clock!!!

A solitary Nathan Clarke effort was enough to see Town through to the Third Round of the FA Cup at a very chilly Vale Park (winter is most definitely a coming).

Vale had the best early chance (about the only one they did have, as memory serves), when a sleeping Town defence presented the easiest of chances to Marc Richards, who managed to poke his effort wide of Alex Smithies left hand upright when it looked odds on he'd score.

The home side were made to pay for that wasted effort just a few minutes later.  Robbie Williams free kick was headed by Peter Clarke and Lee Novak, and a lovely piece of skill (not the fluke the Vale fans would have anyone believe - more later) by Nathan Clarke, a wonderful overhead finish, send the 1300 travelling wild!

Chances few and far between afterwards, however to me it seemed Town looked comfy for large periods of this match, as they should have been given the difference in class.

The third round draw is at 4pm this afternoon. 

A short trip for me to Burslem for our latest cup outing against Port Vale.  Vale Park is a ground of mixed fortunes for me - saw Town get a thrashing (and a relegation) back in the day, although Pawel Abbots hatrick, and more recently Michael Collins winner on the same ground bring back far happier memories.

I wonder what this match will bring?  Hopefully, as we are a division higher, and as my Vale supporting friends point out, they are not playing well, then Town should easily have their measure.  I haven't forgotton our exit at their hands last season, under the temporary managership of Gerry Murphy. 

We are a much improved outfit since them, and so am confident we will be in the bag with the big boys in Round 3.

Our ropey away form came back top haunt us, with a loss to Swindon in conditions reminiscent of those faced on Saturday.

Billy Paynter scored first for Swindon, easily beating Alex Smithies with a shot, however we were on terms before the break.  Lee Novak, with a curling 20 yard beauty ("..he will not score a better goal all season.."  P. Ogden), off the bar and leaving the keeper with nochance - a wonderful strike.

That was as good as it got however, as we left the County Ground empty handed.  Charlie Austins low shot from 12 yards gave all 3 points to our hosts.

A hard fought win in every sens of the word as Town coped with the atrocious condidtions better in the second half to come from behind to defeat Hartlepool.

The visitors took the lead, when a poorly defended corner was headed home by Gary Liddle, and that remained the only goal at the break.

Town, despite the persistent rain and swirling wind, did get back on terms thanks to Nathan Clarkes first goal of the season.  Anthony Pilkingtons rasping free kick cannoned off the post, only for Clarke to gleefully tap home the rebound.

All three points were to come our way, due to possibly the only piece of skill there was in conditions not designed for such a thing.  Robbie Williams, on the end of a Pilkington ball, danced past 3 defenders, and rifled home a tremendous shot from 15 yards - as good a winning goal as you are likely to see!

At the end of the season, wins like this will make all the difference.

"Super" Gary Roberts (now young Lukes favorite player by the way), looks forward to our home fixture against Hartlepool tomorrow.

Robbo - Business As Usual

Although we are expected to win easily again tomorrow, Robbo is right to say we should not be complacent.

Lee Clark knows the lads are high on confidence.

Lee Clark on Town v Hartlepool (pre match)

Travelling over for this one and as with the Wycombe game unless Hartlepool play with 10 men behind the ball all game then it should be 3 more points.