Match Report: City Miscues End Run of Form

[Olé]

A second string Huddersfield side proved to be too much for rejuvenated City, who didn't make plenty of possession count in an open end to the season - on top for periods but 2 down to the play off bound hosts before half time and anonymous in front of goal despite lots of opportunity to build around their box.

City probed as well as they have in recent weeks, but the final ball was always lacking - all action Semenyo probably among the biggest culprits - chances at a premium as touches and crosses deserted the visitors, who regularly miscued out of play or swung a ball into and then over and out of the box.

The Terriers dominated the opening action yet on 12 Semenyo got in down the right and squared for Martin to force a corner. The visitors recycled the set piece and another ball in saw Semenyo's shot blocked far post before a series of 20 yard pot shots culminated in Semenyo forcing a clumsy save.

Midway through the first half a long spell of patient Huddersfield passing saw Massengo deflect Russell's long range shot behind and from the corner Klose had to head behind too. City had been comfortable stepping up to cut out the hosts' threat and yet after the half hour the home side roared into a lead.

A halfway line Terriers free kick was laid into the left channel where Toffolo skipped past defenders and marauded goalwards, before Klose's desperate challenge deflected the ball up and into the forwards onward path with just Bentley to beat. The forward made no mistake, curling into the bottom corner. 

City responded immediately with Weimann feeding Massengo who roamed free out of  midfield and sent Martin clear from the left to force Blackman to beat away at the near post. The ball deflected away to Massengo who was hacked down - from James deep free kick Martin headed wide at the far post.

By now an interesting sideline (literally) was the nearside linesman who had got so many decisions wildly wrong including giving us a throw in for a ball two yards over the byline. Now he'd miss right winger Pipa miles offside onto a long ball to square to Holmes to force Bentley to parry over at the near post. 

Before the break City wasted the ball twice in attacking positions with aimless crosses and Huddersfield broke with purpose racing at backtracking defenders with Pipa again suspiciously clear from the right in acres of space, sliding it into the six yard box where Bentley intervened but Ward bundled home. 

City badly needed a quick response to the 2-0 defecit and after half time they finally got their press working - DaSilva robbed his opposite number and Massengo broke from the left to win a corner, building a spell of pressure that led to Klose volleying wide from 10 yards out through a crowded box. 

Another interception in midfield saw Martin thread livewire Semenyo clear on goal but this time that same awful linesman did flag for offside. George Tanner finally returned from long injury for Massengo as the game drifted to an end. Before the hour mark Pipa curled over the top right corner from range.

A minute later with Klose upfield and out of position following stylish touches to support a City break, Anjorin sprinted clear through the right - the source of all our problems - and laid the ball into the box where Bentley stopped Ward down low. Anjorin would take a pot shot soon after that curled wide right. 

Into the final quarter of the match and Scott slammed way over from the edge of the box after Atkinson had probed down the left and Semenyo faced up defenders. Minutes later another wayward ball as DaSilva shanked a left wing cross wildly out of play after good work from Cundy and Tanner on the right. 

Idehen replaced Cundy and then Andy King for Klose - moving to 4 at the back - but the final 15 minutes were utterly forgettable in a match long since over as a contest. It wasn't until injury time Weimann chased a long ball and almost connected from six yards out, and next Martin fired over from 20 yards.

In the final of 3 minutes added on suddenly chances at either end - Anjorin strode clean through with City flying into tackles, only to fire low beyond the far left hand post. Then at the other end Martin brilliantly held up a long ball and Weimann's smart lob over the defence put James in - only to volley over.   

Up against a team finishing in third and with six changes, this arguably showed both how close and how far away City are. Ultimately well beaten and anonymous to the second string of a promotion chaser; but equally an even game on balance of possession where the difference was our wayward final balls. 

 

Bentley 6

Klose 7

Cundy 6

Atkinson 7

DaSilva 5

Scott 5

James 5

Massengo 5

Weimann 5

Semenyo 5

Martin 6

 

Tanner 6

Idehen 6

King 5

[italian dave]

Thanks for this, and all the away match reports this season @Olé. Really enjoyable reading.

Also, congratulations on this one: the fact that you stayed awake enough to record all this detail is impressive. I was bored to tears and my mind elsewhere for much of this game. So, I’ll talk your word for what happened and won’t disagree with any of the scores!

[Rocking Red Cyril]

Yes thanks for your reports this season

[bcfc01]

Second string ? The reality is that they have a very good, strong squad and can make changes which make no difference to their consistency. The epitome of a top Championship squad.

I look forward to the day when we can make several changes which don't weaken the team, might be waiting a while.

 

 

 

 

[sugarwray]

We’ll be back after the break……

[Super]

Thanks @Oléfor you reports very enjoyable. Enjoy your summer

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, bcfc01 said:

Second string ? The reality is that they have a very good, strong squad and can make changes which make no difference to their consistency. The epitome of a top Championship squad.

I look forward to the day when we can make several changes which don't weaken the team, might be waiting a while.

 

 

 

 

That was the point I made in the FBC thread…of the 6 changes one was Ward, the top scorer, the other Sinani, who’d started 34 (10 subs) this season.

1 hour ago, Super said:

Thanks @Oléfor you reports very enjoyable. Enjoy your summer

Ditto @Olé