Mens 1XI (H) Sheffield Hallam 28/11/2009

HDHC 1 – 5 Sheffield Hallam

Huddersfield lost their first home game in five matches against league leaders Sheffield Hallam who have now won nine games in a row.   Huddersfield were wary of Sheffield’s ability and also their recent struggle to avoid conceding goals, so they started with a much more disciplined defensive approach which for the first 20 minutes at least kept Sheffield out but it did make attacking play more difficult and Huddersfield struggled to get forward in numbers quickly enough.  However Huddersfield’s inability to create any forward pressure and hold possession meant Sheffield eventually turned the screw scoring from two penalty corners a breakaway and then again with a superb drag flick into the roof of the net.  Huddersfield found themselves 4-0 down at half time.

In the second half Huddersfield were less defensive and managed to strike a balance between being disciplined in their positional play and getting enough numbers forward, Man of the Match Fergal Keaveney controlling the play well in the middle of the park.  It stayed at 4-0 until a brilliant solo effort from a Sheffield midfielder made it five nil and broke Huddersfield’s stubborn resistance.  On the final whistle Huddersfield did manage a consolation with Hirst squeezing the ball in over the keeper from a rebounded shot.  Huddersfield should take great momentum into their next game after this second half performance against a very strong side well clear at the top of the league.

Man of match – Fergal Keaveney

Fool of day – Adrian Hannam

Goal(s) – Hirst