Huddesfield Town 0 Newcastle 1

Galpharm Stadium

Tuesday 21st July Kick-off 7:45pm

Third pre-season friendly of the season

A drab first half ended with handbags between the players coming off at half time. Newcastle visited the Yorkshire club now managed by ex Toon legend Lee Clark with Terry McDermott as support. Lee and Terry both got a warm welcome from the travelling Toon Army on the night.

Newcastle were looking for their third win in a row wearing the lucky yellow kit, and they were not denied however, the performance on the night was below par. It took fourteen minutes to get some decent action after Beye let fly from 35 yards, followed by Xisco setting up Carroll who shoots just wide of the post.

Huddersfield had their chance in the twenty-eight minute after Coloccini fails to clear a lob with his head, however the Town striker shot wide. Soon after Xisco just missed out on a goal after a scramble in the box.

Steven Taylor looking for his third goal of the pre season watch as Andy Carroll elected to shoot rather than return the one two. Tayls not happy.

Half time handbags!!!

We waited until the sixty-eight minute for the first and only goal of the match. Shola Ameobi flicked on and Kevin Nolan, scored with a great finish despite the attention of Town defenders.

A better second half than first half tonight, backed by more than 1,600 Toon fans.

Before the match Chris Hughton asked for more of the same following two wins on the road and ten goals scored. However that wish did not come true. Injury wise we may have come off with a couple of strains but nothing serious. News of Nicky Butts injury filtered through, he will be out for four weeks with his injured thumb. Let's hope they do not follow the Marcellino thumb recovery plan.

 

Acting Manager Comments: Chris Hughton

Chris Hughton Post Match Comments talking to nufcTV

"The main thing was not just the win but that we got a test. It was more of a test than it was on Saturday and that's what you want at this stage of pre-season. It was a fiery game but that was what we expected and we welcomed that.

It was the ideal step up from the Darlington game. We knew that they would want to do well with so many Newcastle connections. Arguably our performance wasn't as good as it was in previous games but it's all about getting it right for West Brom on August 8."

Chris Pleased for Kevin Nolan he told nufcTV

"I'm pleased for Kevin to get another goal. "It's something he's always had in his locker and we've deliberately been playing in him in a more advanced role in the last couple of games to help him into those positions. He scored a good goal at Darlington on Saturday and the goal against Huddersfield was a terrific finish. It's working well playing Kevin just off a striker and I think it's a position he enjoys playing."

Praise for young Guns Chris Hughton told nufcTV

"I was pleased for James and Samuel on Tuesday and I thought they did well when they came on, That experience of being in and around the senior lads is invaluable for any young player. We've got a group of youngsters here who will have an impact next season for certain. We've seen in pre-season what potential they have and we hope that continues into the new season."

James Tavernier: Bradford-born defender who has been on the club's books since the age of 15.

Samuel Adjei: signed for United in January from Swedish Second Division side Jonkopings Sodra IF

 

Chris Hughton Planning For Seasons Opener

talking to The Chronicle

"As you get towards the last few games of pre-season, you have to start getting a possible starting line-up in mind. You have to do that,I have to cover all eventualities. I’m still under the opinion that at some stage, someone will come in and a new manager will take over. It will then be his responsibility. But until that happens, I have got to start planning for the start of the season."

 

Handbags

Chris Hughton talking to The Chronicle

"I will be investigating the incident today. But sometimes it’s nice to have that bit of edge on the pitch - at times it didn’t look like much of a friendly. That’s the nature of the game. You have got players who care out there and sometimes they over step the mark – but that’s part and parcel of the game. You’d rather have a game where the players care, and that is what happened with that incident. The referee didn’t ask me to take Habib off – I was always going to do that."

 

Lee Clark Huddersfield Manager Comments

 

Match Night Twitters from Huddersfield

Signal a bit poor tonight in the Last of The Summer Wine country, so Tweets were coming out a bit slow.