Ben Pringle’s first Town goal after 19 minutes saw the Blues to a battling 1-0 victory over Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium. Pringle netted in a first half largely dominated by the home side who missed a succession of chances and played the final quarter of a hour of the game with 10 men, Jonathan Hogg having picked up an injury after they had used all their subs.

Kevin Foley replaced Luke Hyam in an otherwise unchanged Town side, the midfielder having come off during Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Hull with a hamstring injury.

Youngsters James Blanchfield, who was offered a professional contract earlier this week, and Andre Dozzell travelled with the squad for experience but weren’t included in the matchday 18.

The Blues started with Pringle on the right and Freddie Sears on the left with Foley joining Jonathan Douglas in the centre of midfield and Brett Pitman and Daryl Murphy up front.

Huddersfield created the game’s first opening in the fifth minute, Jason Davidson whipping over a cross from the left for Kyle Dempsey, who powered a header back across the face of goal and wide when he should have scored.

On six Nahki Wells, who had a trial with Town as a teenager, looped an effort over Bartosz Bialkowski’s bar from distance with the Terriers starting the game well on top.

The home side again should have gone in front in the 10th minute when Wells broke through on goal behind Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith. The New Zealand international just about did enough to delay the Bermudian’s shot and when it finally came keeper Bialkowski had advanced off his line and blocked.

The West Yorkshiremen continued to dominate and on the quarter-hour Karim Matmour cut the ball across to Harry Bunn on the edge of the box but the ex-Manchester City youngster blazed over.

It had been all Huddersfield but on 19 the Blues, for whom Pringle and Sears had initially swapped flanks before Pitman moved wide on the left of a five-man midfield with the on-loan Fulham man moving inside, went ahead with their first shot of the game.

Foley challenged in the air midway inside the Terriers’ half and Pringle hooked the loose ball down the right for Murphy to chase. Joel Lynch sought to see the ball out of play but lost out to the Irishman, who sent over a deep cross to Pringle, who took a touch before smashing his first Town goal into the net off a defender.

The home side immediately looked to get back on terms but Wells under-hit his shot from the left of the area and Bialkowski claimed.

Wells continued to present the Terriers’ main threat and on 21 Bialkowski did well to push away the striker’s volley to his right.

Two minutes later, the Bermuda international hit another effort wide of the Town keeper’s right post after intercepting a Luke Chambers pass.

The Blues stemmed the tide in terms of clear-cut opportunities after the midway point in the first period, although with the home side continuing to have most of the ball and with the Town backline defending desperately at times.

On 39 the Blues had a chance to add to their lead from a Pringle freekick on the right but Murphy headed over.

Seconds before the end of the scheduled 45 minutes, Town created a third opportunity with their best move of the half.

Jonathan Douglas fed Pringle, who moved the ball on to Sears breaking down the left. The former Colchester man played in the overlapping Jonas Knudsen but Murphy turned the Dane’s low cross wide at the near post.

Referee Darren Bond ended the half soon afterwards with the Blues having managed to maintain their against-the-run-of-play 1-0 lead at the break.

Huddersfield dominated the first 20 minutes or so and had plenty of opportunities to go in front. But a combination of poor finishing, Bialkowski saves and desperate Town defending prevented them from not only taking the lead but from sealing the three points.

The Blues hadn’t managed a shot on goal when Pringle netted his goal after tenacious work from Murphy had forced Lynch into a mistake.

Town were more in the game after that - with willing runner Sears the main outlet - although with the home side still having most of the ball, albeit without seriously threatening Bialkowski’s goal further.

The Terriers dominated the opening minutes after the restart but without being able to breakthrough the determined Town back four.

Sears and Pitman switched flanks briefly at the start of the half before returning to the right and left respectively. On 51 Chambers was booked for pulling back Bunn as Huddersfield broke.

The home side were continuing to have most of the ball but were unable to find a way through the Blues’ massed ranks at the back.

Dempsey screwed a shot well wide from distance before Terriers boss David Wagner made a double change, swapping Matmour and Lynch for Jamie Paterson and Martin Cranie.

Huddersfield went close for the first time after the break on the hour when Terriers defender Tommy Smith’s shot deflected to Davidson eight yards out but the Australian international put the ball the wrong side of the post. A minute later the tiring Pringle was replaced by Kevin Bru.

On 64 Berra did superbly to block from Wells as the striker turned Paterson’s right-wing cross towards goal.

Huddersfield’s dominance was starting to look ominous but in the 66th minute the Blues came within an inch or so of extending their lead.

Sears did well to turn Smith’s clearance on to Murphy, who spun away from his man, found himself space and hit a low left-foot shot across Terriers keeper Jed Steer but just wide of the post.

On 69 the home side replaced Dempsey with Elvis Manu, then two minutes later Sears was somewhat harshly booked for a foul on the on-loan Brighton man.

Paterson curled a 25-yard strike from the left which Bialkowski claimed comfortably on 73, then Huddersfield’s Smith was booked for a foul on Pitman.

Four minutes later, Wells nodded Jonathan Hogg in on goal inside the area but Bialkowski was equal to the midfielder’s shot and Berra cleared the danger.

Soon after, ex-Watford man Hogg required treatment after appearing to injure his knee as he slid in to make a challenge and was forced to go off. Having used all their subs the home side were forced to end the game with 10 men. For Town, Ainsley Maitland-Niles replaced Foley for the final nine scheduled minutes.

A minute later the Blues had Bialkowski to thank for keeping them in front when, during a goalmouth scramble, the Pole made an instinctive save after Town’s Smith had diverted Paterson’s effort towards his own goal. The ball rebounded back into the six-yard box and Bialkowski gratefully claimed.

With the numerical advantage the Blues were under less pressure as the game moved into its final minutes and were even starting to get chances on the break.

On 87 Terriers keeper Steer was sent up for a rare corner but it came to nothing and Town were unable to make anything of his absence.

Two minutes later, Murphy broke down the right and lobbed into the path of Sears, who was crowded out as he looked to shoot.

Paul Digby was handed his Town league debut as a sub for Sears as the game moved into five additional minutes. Steer again went up front, this time for a freekick, but Murphy was unable to get onto Maitland-Niles’s long ball forward.

Deep into injury time the on-loan Arsenal youngster made a strong run forward and forced Cranie into a foul, helping see out the final moments.

Seconds later referee Bond’s whistle confirmed that the three points would go to the Blues and manager Mick McCarthy celebrated with his assistant Terry Connor on the touchline.

Having ridden their luck in the first half, the Blues defended in depth after the break and kept Huddersfield down to only a handful of opportunities, although Davidson will feel he certainly should have done better with his chance.

Town might have added to their lead in the closing stages when the Terriers were down to 10 men but were still largely concerned with hanging on to their one-goal lead rather than adding to it.

While Huddersfield will be wondering quite how they managed to lose having dominated the early stages so completely, it was just the ground-out, battling win the Blues needed having been defeated in their previous three matches.

The win moves Town up to ninth, now only four points off the play-off places with a game in hand on Sheffield Wednesday in sixth and Derby two points ahead of them in fifth. The Blues are next in action at home against Nottingham Forest next Saturday.

Huddersfield: Steer, Smith, Davidson, Whitehead, Hudson (c), Hogg, Matmour (Paterson 58), Bunn, Wells, Dempsey (Manu 69), Lynch (Lynch 58). Unused: Murphy, Husband, Holmes, Bojaj.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Knudsen, Pringle (Bru 61), Foley (Maitland-Niles 81), Douglas, Sears (Digby 90), Pitman, Murphy. Unused: Gerken, Touré, Tabb, Varney. Referee Darren Bond (Lancashire). Att: 12,644 (Town: 936)

Photo: Action Images

derby123 added 03:55 - Feb 28 Dissboy h
0

Dissboyitfc added 06:55 - Feb 28 derby123... read my post again, i clearly use the words " i wish you wouldnt" big difference to telling somebody to not do something. WAtching that yesterday reminded me of the ugly football played by wimbledon in the eighties, really grim stuff, the exact opposite of super! Another thing about yesterday, the price to watch the game was £23, and next year the price for a season ticket there is going to be £179. Why is this price so low? because the owner is a fan of huddersfield fc and wants to make it more available to more people. A club that appreciates its supporters what a difference to our faceless owner. Things are a long way off being super at portman road, nothing will change if people accept everything that is dished up! More seasons of mediocre boring kick and hope football.

9

Dissboyitfc added 07:03 - Feb 28 i Dread to think how that team would fare week in week out against premier league sides.I along with many others on here i am sure want to feel positive about the direction Itfc is heading and sadly it seems as though there is only more of the same in the foreseeable.
10

ChrisFelix added 07:27 - Feb 28 If we had played a decent side we would have lost. Just like Hull,Derby,Middlesbrough & Brighton. Why cant we sign Wells, always does well against us
3

SpiritOfJohn added 07:42 - Feb 28 In my last post I was struggling to find something positive to say after a 2-1 defeat at Bristol. Now I have the same dilemma after we grind out a victory. So many unhappy punters on here one wouldn't want to add to the overall doom and gloom. Mick has built a team based on spirit and endevour who will battle all day long but a bit more quality wouldn't go amiss, especially for those who pay to watch the spectacle.

3

StowTractorBoy added 08:41 - Feb 28 Around 900 fans at Huddersfield yesterday the majority singing MM and TCs name from the start. Love it.
-6

blues1 added 08:51 - Feb 28 Currie 10. Why would Foley in midfield have some scratching their heads? He played there against Bristol and played well. Did so again this game too. Don't agree we only played hoofball in this game, did try to play at times, but yes, we'll always hoof it a reasonable amount because that's how the dinosaur likes it. We were lucky to be 1 up at halftime, but other than 1 glaring miss in the 2nd half I couldn't see them scoring, as we defended well. Am I happy that we playing that way? No way, but I know that while mm is here we're stuck with it. And while I don't disagree that some investment is necessary, I don't think thats the biggest reason we've been struggling of late. I believe the players we have are capable of playing much better football but have had it coached out of them.

3

grumpyoldman added 09:00 - Feb 28 On a previous article I asked when was the last time we outplayed a team and lost and felt robbed that is exactly how Huddersfield fans must feel today. Effort and teamwork will only get us so far but it may not be enough to reach the promised land. A win is always better but from the the reports our performance was poor.
5

blues1 added 09:14 - Feb 28 Dissboy itfc. Was waiting for some1 to bring up the season ticket offer they announced. Yes, it's great for their fans that they'll pay so little but that will mean they won't have as much money to buy players. Something which several of their fans were saying on their local radio station. That they'd rather the money being put in to allow that offer was spent on investing in the squad.

-1

Dissboyitfc added 09:17 - Feb 28 I was there and it was embarrassing to experience the over excitement showed by some of our fans, i could understand if we had just beaten a top side, in reality we had just beaten ( luckily) a very average side with a backs to the wall display in which they totally dominated us from start to finish and at the finish it was against 10 men, Bart putting in a MOM display. Football is all about opinions and i wouldnt want to take that from anybody. But How can anybody enjoy watching the defence kicking the ball out of defence at every opportunity?( serious question) straight back to them, no wonder they enjoyed most of the possession. You see less kick and rush on a sunday morning. We are nowhere ready for life in the top flight. I have never felt so underwhelmed after a town win, it wasnt a one-off display, it was a fairly typical one! And it isnt improving, players out of position and a defence who take one touch before launching upfield, it really is an awful way to play the beautiful game. ( my opinion )

14

Dissboyitfc added 09:22 - Feb 28 Blues1 some very good points in your very well thought out and considered post, it is great to read honest posts like yours! On the issue of season tickets, we are paying through the nose and nothing is reinvested in player recruitment.
4

blues1 added 09:36 - Feb 28 Dissboy. Why do you think that paying around £17 a game for a season ticket(SBR lower/sat lower), for example is paying through the nose?
0

blues1 added 09:47 - Feb 28 And yes, I know there are not expensive tickets, but was using that as an example. And I think you'll find the vast majority of that money goes into the wage bill so is reinvested. I do believe that ME needs to stump up some money to improve the squad but not necessarily the millions many appear to expect. However I do think there is money available but mm has chosen not to use it because of his belief that he can't get better with the budget available.

0

essexboy added 09:50 - Feb 28 I just wonder how many supporters will in fact purchase a season ticket next season.That is the big question.Like myself many supporters do NOT like our style of play.The lack of business in the transfer market and the below par signing of SOME loan players.One does wonder if in fact our owner will invest in the summer,this is something none of us know the answer to.I feel this will be a big factor in season ticket sales.Our owner really needs to come out and make a firm statement sooner more than later and express his plans for next season and the future of this club. MM made a big mistake in saying his squad was good enough and did not need to be improved,and now it has come back to bite him on the b@m.Mr,Milne has said funds were available,so what went wrong,was it just MM being pigheaded again,and again.We all want great things for this club,no more than me as a seasoned supporter for over 40 odd years,but there comes a time when we have to make a stance.I don't like it when MM says he does'nt care about the play-off's.We do and we want to get to the promised land,but I sometimes wonder if MM and ME are just happy plodding along in this Lge.Well,I've got this moan off my chest so I'm off to cut the lawn.Have a good Sunday all you posters and I'll catch up with you all later.👍

5

essexboy added 09:52 - Feb 28 I just wonder how many supporters will in fact purchase a season ticket next season.That is the big question.Like myself many supporters do NOT like our style of play.The lack of business in the transfer market and the below par signing of SOME loan players.One does wonder if in fact our owner will invest in the summer,this is something none of us know the answer to.I feel this will be a big factor in season ticket sales.Our owner really needs to come out and make a firm statement sooner more than later and express his plans for next season and the future of this club. MM made a big mistake in saying his squad was good enough and did not need to be improved,and now it has come back to bite him on the b@m.Mr,Milne has said funds were available,so what went wrong,was it just MM being pigheaded again,and again.We all want great things for this club,no more than me as a seasoned supporter for over 40 odd years,but there comes a time when we have to make a stance.I don't like it when MM says he does'nt care about the play-off's.We do and we want to get to the promised land,but I sometimes wonder if MM and ME are just happy plodding along in this Lge.Well,I've got this moan off my chest so I'm off to cut the lawn.Have a good Sunday all you posters and I'll catch up with you all later.👍

0

1psw1ch added 09:56 - Feb 28 Always on tender hooks with Ipswich waiting for the whistle to blow,, great result though makes the weekend even better
1

BlueFinn added 10:00 - Feb 28 Obviously I wasn't at the game. But that wasn't the first time an away team steals the points against the run of play. It happens all the time. I's just the nature of the game,the team in front protect their lead and the home team try to equalise. Many times that will leave very ugly stats for the away team even if they win. So well done.lads. However there is another stat that makes me sad these days.The parachute payments. Think of Burnley who are a model club in their business,always finding the next hot striker.They were able to pay millions for Andre Gray this time. Hull City,theirs is a premier squad in waiting.Boro,they have a wealthy owner in Gibson...and so on.And then look who got the premier moneys. Where as our stature in just being a championship club for a decade and half now really shows.Full marks to MM for being able to build a team to compete with no money what so ever.There are holes in these parachute payment stats. But even the three seasons I was able to find in articles show the trend. Parachute payments 2011-12: Club Payment Position West Ham £15.5m 3 Birmingham £15.5m 4 Blackpool £15.5m 5 Middlesbro £4m 7 Hull City £12m 8 Burnley £12m 13 Portsmouth £12m 22 Parachute payments 2012-13: Hull City £8m 2 Burnley £8m 12 Blackpool £13m 14 Blackburn £16m 13 Bolton £16m 16 Wolves £16m 18 Birmingham £13m 20 Portsmouth £8m 22(L1) 2014/15 Parachute Payments to Clubs Equal Share Overseas TV Total Payment Birmingham City 5,492,198 4,639,343 10,131,541 Blackburn Rovers 5,492,198 4,639,343 10,131,541 Blackpool 5,492,198 4,639,343 10,131,541 Bolton Wanderers 5,492,198 4,639,343 10,131,541 Cardiff City 12,082,836 12,966,554 25,049,390 Fulham 12,082,836 12,966,544 25,049,390 Norwich City 12,082,836 12,966,554 25,049,390 Reading 9,885,957 10,191,817 20,076,774 Wigan Athletic 9,885,957 10,191,817 20,076,774 Wolverhampton Wanderers 5,492,198 4,639,343 10,131,541 All figures in £ 83,481,412 82,478,011 165,959,423 What to do now? I really don't know but I still try to believe in miracles. http://offsiderulepodcast.com/2015/09/30/championship-parachute-payments-why-the http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1161-april-2013/9641-new-parachute-payments-could

2

Warkys_Tash added 10:03 - Feb 28 Most entertaining thing I heard on the radio was 'boring, boring Ipswich' coming from the Hudds fans just before the final whistle. More grind it out tactics from McCarthy, but nonetheless a very welcome 3 points. This season has turned out so far to be a massive disappointment & the style of football is dire..
8

Bob7881 added 10:28 - Feb 28 @Dissboyitfc I like your honest assessment i have never been a fan of MM nothing personal just dont like his tactics.
7

KMANSers added 10:28 - Feb 28 Away win, Bart playing a blinder and again Sears giving 100%. A few good things that came out of that game but ALL FANS want more. ME need to depart if no desire to build this club up! MM need to play positive football with players in their rightful position Freddie Sears 'deserve better than what he's being asked to do' is one eg of that! Bored with this same SH*T week after week and I guess that's no different to the few thousand others who stay away from the games now. Prediction- finish no higher than 7th this season 16000 average gate end of next season😩

3

blueboy1981 added 10:29 - Feb 28 Continues to amaze me that we have an element of support for this Club - that will accept anything as being totally acceptable. Evidence of such, yet again, on this forum. What chance have we got of progressing as a Club, with that ....... ?? The worrying thing is that we will eventually (if it hasn't already happened) destroy our proud reputation of playing the game as it should be - and the resulting damage in attracting good players to the Club, saying nothing for our reputation within the game itself. However optimistic we try to be - all is not at all good with our Club of today. We've obviously taken the wrong turning along the way.

6

Dissboyitfc added 11:04 - Feb 28 All seats for adults 23 at yesterdays game, our cheapest is 27.50 then all the way upto 54.50 yes very expensive for a poor quality product. i dont think i said anything wrong in saying we pay through the nose! A massive welldone to huddersfield for this initiative, hope they get the rewards of more supporters in the stands. An owner who understands and appreciates the paying supporters. We were once appreciated as well, TWTD'S

5

Kirbmeister added 11:09 - Feb 28 The remarkable thing is, even with our bang average football team McGoldrick and Bishop missing all season and Fraser most of, it we are still four points off the play-offs with a game in hand. Not that I think we are ever likely to achieve promotion this season that is.
1

blues1 added 11:51 - Feb 28 I agree with you dissboy about match day prices but ur original point was about season ticket prices.
1

Dissboyitfc added 12:02 - Feb 28 blues1.. fair point you make about average game cost if you buy a season ticket, however i must make this point if ypu apply the cost of a season ticket and divide that by the number of games at huddersfield it works out at under £8 per game. representing great value and they should be applauded. have a great day!
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls