Sponsored by
Huddersfield Town 1 Stockport 1 - Booth opens his account
STAN TERNENT had fielded two different sides and a couple of extra substitutes in the centenary match against Arsenal in midweek but those he selected for Saturday's League One opener can forget about having a rest in tomorrow's Carling Cup tie.
It is not just that local pride is at stake at home to one of the manager's former clubs, Bradford City, but he needs to get his new-look side gelling far better than they did against promoted County.
Ternent has gone for experience ahead of the potential of Academy products and it can be argued that those who have risen through the ranks had ample opportunity to make their mark before the veteran campaigner took charge at the back end of last season.
Largely unimpressed by what he saw as he took a back seat role while Gerry Murphy guided the club through to the end of an uneventful season, Ternent has brought in seven new faces and is still on the lookout for at least a couple more.
Six made their bow against Stockport and the lack of time they have had together clearly showed even though the visitors paraded four newcomers of their own.
A candid Ternent said: "Stockport were by miles the better team though we had the better chances.
"I did not enjoy any of it because my team were c**p – by the standards we showed against Arsenal and Sheffield United I can't think of a more suitable word."
Hardly what the fans want to hear at the start of their centenary season and with 16,000 of them having snapped up 100 season tickets but Ternent was keen to stress that he has had only five weeks to work with his new-look squad and that improvements will come.
The most worrying aspect for Town was how Stockport found so much space to attack after switching personnel and formations at the break, becoming more adventurous as they changed from 4-1-4-1 to 4-3-1-2.
By then, the sides were level at 1-1, veteran striker Andy Booth, who had missed out playing against Premiership Arsenal through injury, rising between two defenders to head home an inswinging corner from Gary Roberts in the 30th minute after only a last-ditch tackle from Jim McNulty had denied the winger following a through ball from Mike Flynn.
Sloppy defensive play had allowed Jonny Mullins to pick out Tommy Rowe with a low cross and the midfield man had sidefooted home from inside the area in first-half stoppage time.
Owain fon Williams had prevented Town making it 2-0 when he finger-tipped over a curling 28-yard free-kick from Roberts, the one player they failed to contain as he continually cut inside on his favoured left from the right wing.
Williams also beat out a corner to the near post from Roberts and got down to block Booth's header on the line before hacking clear with his feet after the break before County grew in confidence.
Booth had to hobble off with an ankle injury – and he is one player Ternent is desperate to find cover for in an aerial sense – and a tiring Flynn, returning from injury and having tried three different midfield roles, was replaced by Jon Worthington as Town attempted to quell County's enthusiasm.
Substitute Carl Baker, operating behind the front two, caused particular problems but goalkeeper Matt Glennon was in no mood to be beaten again as he faced his home-town club for the first time in his long career.
Town also switched their line-ups but moving Flynn inside only appeared to leave Danny Cadamarteri exasperated as he had to fill a role wide left rather than partnering Booth as Flynn and Michael Collins took it in turns to operate behind the target man.
Ternent said his decision to leave former Blackpool striker Keigan Parker on the bench was because of a double hernia operation and family bereavement which had prevented him playing since Christmas and because of the pre-season form of the two he had picked.
He also played former Everton and Sheffield United defender David Unsworth at left-back on a non-contract basis with a view to signing him today on a 12-month contract subject to a medical.
Huddersfield Town: Glennon, Holdsworth, Butler, Lucketti, Unsworth; Roberts, Collins, Goodwin, Flynn (Worthington 60); Booth (Beckett 75), Cadamarteri. Unused substitutes: Smithies, Skarz, Parker.
Stockport County: Williams, Mullins, McNulty, Owen, Rose (McNeil 46); Raynes; Pilkington (Baker 46), Gleeson, Dicker, Rowe; Thompson. Unused substitutes: Turnbull, McSweeney, Rigby.
Referee: A Haines (Tyne and Wear). MATCH FOCUS
Hero: Gary Roberts
Showed the class which persuaded Town to pay Ipswich 250,000 for the winger and set up the opening goal to the centenary season which was put away in typical fashion by Andy Booth. There is stiff competition for places at Town this season but Roberts looks real class.
Villian: Peter Ward
The former Huddersfield Town striker and current Stockport County assistant manager was banished from the dugout by referee Andy Haines for dissent. Much to the delight of the home fans.
Key moment
90th minute: Town goalkeeper Matt Glennon saves the day, going full length to keep out a shot from Carl Baker.
Ref watch
Andy Haines: Kept the game under control. Booked Town's Michael Collins and County's Michael Raynes.
Verdict
Plenty for Town to work on but this is their biggest squad for years and so competition for places will keep everyone on their toes.
Next game
Tomorrow, Bradford City, Galpharm Stadium, Carling Cup first round. (7.45)
Quote of the day
Stockport were by miles the better team but we had the better chances. I didn't enjoy it because we were c**p... I cannot think of a more suitable word.
– Town boss Stan Ternent.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
