Huddersfield v Rotherham, John Smith Stadium, Sat March 7th 2014, Att
After the midweek capitulation against Cardiff I wasn't feeling confident about our chances against Huddersfield just four short days later. We had brought in a loan signing midweek. Danny Lafferty, A left back from Burnley who can also play in the central defensive role, giving us hope that one of the four amigos at the back might be dropped. We decided it ought to be Arne as he seemed to be rock bottom confidence wise.
Looks like he's seen a football before, should help.
Ian picked Vicky up at the station, navigating through the inevitable hordes of police. Another March by a left wing group? We ate a quick lunch, munch boxes have been few and far between this season as a lot of the grounds have been close by, and waved goodbye to Heather and Chris. A short journey passed quickly as we discussed who should be dropped, once again Arneson was favourite, along with Clubfoot. We knew Hammill wouldn't figure as Huddersfield is his parent club.
The Internet had told me that parking was available at the ground, so we followed the SatNav, negotiating a group of singing Huddersfield youths with a large police escort (bizarre!), and turned into the ground. £7 was passed over to a spotty yoof and we parked up within spitting distance of the away stand. Our co-parkers all seemed very posh, and included a lady carrying a large novel. She was obviously expecting a boring game. The guy in the next car to us held a clipboard. A scout no doubt. We deduced he was there to watch Pringle, and would decide that he is all left foot as have many scouts before him. (But what a left foot). The team news came in and we were very puzzled. Apparently we had signed an eighteen year old defender from Derby the night before, Farrend Rawson. Young Farrend had never played a first team game before, but that was to change as he was in the team for today.
Young Farrend
Both Danny Ward and Paul Green had picked up knocks in training and were out, so Connor Sammon came in with Kari Arneson not dropped as we had hoped, but moved to midfield. Lafferty was also playing with Zeki Fryers out. Bold moves by Steve, but will they pay off?
After a few minutes sitting in the car to pass the time we took the short walk to the ground.
A sunny day out in Huddersfield.
Having associated with Millwall fans last week a full body search was required before entry. Sadly not for me or Vicky, although Vickys handbag was thoroughly frisked for flares etc. Ian didn't fare so well, the leg brace causing lots of trouble before he was eventually allowed in.
Vicky and I took in the ladies. At first sight it didn't look good, then went downhill from there. There were very few loos, old toilets and no hot water.
We decided to find our seats as a lot of Millers fans were expected, this could mean trouble. We were very near the back and the yobs who like to stand, but good for Ian as we were on the end of the row.
Panorama photo, good isn't it?
Just down and to the left we spotted Mr Serial Killer. His eyebrows seemed to have grown and had a life of their own, as did his ear hair. It's always good luck to see him at an away match though, as is seeing Mr Nasal. I spotted him walking down towards the front. We also spotted the guy with the worst hair in the world. Well before kick off the yoofs behind had started to sing a new song, one that you can't get out of your head, "everywhere we go". This went on throughout the game with other tunes breaking out every now and again. The away end filled up quickly, particularly the rows behind us with seemingly two people for each seat, no worries as they would be standing anyway.
The teams came out and a flare began smoking just behind us. Thank god for those strip searches or who knows what we could have smuggled in. The annoying song was still going on when the ref blew for kickoff. We started well, but that had happened against Cardiff, with Derbyshire in particular standing out for me. Ian was busy texting Wooly, who had been henpecked into a family holiday in the lakes, letting him know what he was missing. Trouble was afoot behind us, with several of the yobs going to the toilet. Little did they know that the stewards weren't happy with the standing and overcrowding and were going to stop them going back to their position. Lots of fun posturing and arguing occurred, just what the yobs thrive on. Back in the pitch, Pringle took a corner and Arni headed goalward, only for their keeper to pull out a top draw save. We were getting closer.
The song droned on. Just before halftime former Huddersfield player Jack Hunt ghosted past his man and put in an enticing pass. Arriving at the back post Kari Arneson bundled the ball home from a yard. 1-0 to the Millers and both players and fans went mad.
We were playing well, Arni was bossing midfield, and although I wasn't all that impressed with Lafferty, young Farrend was doing a wonderful job partnering Kirk at the back. Half time arrived with the score still 1-0.
We decided not to leave our seats at half-time, guarding them ferociously, until the players came out for the second half. The song was still ringing around the stand when the second half kicked off. We were expecting a Huddersfield onslaught this half but it never materialised. Arneson was at his majestic best in midfield, the new defensive pairing looked unbeatable, and Derbyshire and Sammon were holding the ball up well. The ref was annoying us a bit, their players seemed to be diving all over and getting free kicks, one of which lead to a booking for Frecks. We did, however, need another goal. No worries with Arni in this mood. He skipped past one of their players as if he wasn't there and fed Frecklington, whose first time pass to Sammon saw him get the ball out of his feet and slot home. 2-0 and we were in heaven.
We still had half an hour to go but no worries. In this mood we weren't about to let Huddersfield back into the game. Even a second booking and thus sending off for Frecks didn't faze us. Bowery came on and kept the ball in the corners for long stretches. The song intensified, the stand was rocking, we were all on our feet. We looked for the board, and when it arrived I was pleasantly surprised at only four added minutes. We easily saw that out and as the final whistle blew it was as if we had won the cup final. 2-0 to the Millers.
The players were hugging each other. All the fans stayed to applaud wildly. Steve came on the pitch and ushered a shy Farrend over to us to take the applause. The song went on as we exited the ground and took the 20 yard walk to the car.
Victory is so sweet
Back at the car
"Good luck for the rest of the season" said a passing Huddersfield fan. Gracious in defeat.
But what a victory, and what a day. We discovered that Blackpool, Wigan and Millwall had all lost, leaving us nine points above the relegation zone. This could be the day that we retain our championship status, or maybe that will be next Saturday, at home against Wigan!
Men of the match
Ian - Arneson, although Derbyshire, Hunt and Smallwood were all in contention
Jackie - Arneson. It would have been Derbyshire if not for Arnis wonderful second half display
Vicky - Arneson.
Funniest moment. The faces of the yobs when they were trying to talk their way back to the back
Quote of the day. "Look at my face!". One of the yobs to a steward on his way to the toilet.
Toilet watch. Very poor, especially for a relatively new ground. 3/10
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