Huddersfield Town 2 Cheltenham Town 2
It’s all my fault. I only wrote to Cindy Jefferies, a Cheltenham supporter, on the morning of the match and told her our lot were going to thrash her lot. Whatever possessed me? Just because the Robins were bottom of the league? Fatal. Sixteen minutes in we were 2-0 down and looking as if we were in for a thrashing.
It all began so well. We drove to Huddersfield in bright spring sunshine, my Town scarf flapping against the outside of the passenger window. Yes, I am one of those saddos who does this. I wave to any supporters of any teams we pass on their way to a game too. They don’t wave back but hey…
We walked through town and down Leeds Road among our fellow supporters, bought the programme, took our places right at the back of the Antich Stand, full of hope and optimism. The sun was still shining. Life was grand. Ten minutes before kick-off World Freestyle Football Champion John Farnsworth, dressed in our new away kit (red and blue, very smart) performed his seal-like tricks, including bouncing the ball on his head while skipping. Impressive. So far so good.
Then the match started. Town began slugglishly but then they always do. This time they were punished for it. Cheltenham, spurred on from the dug-out by their manager Martin ‘Mad Dog’ Allen, took over. We were woeful. We were dire. Substituting the lacklustre Jutkiewicz for the more energetic Cadamarteri helped. Cadamarteri scored just before the end of the first half. Hopes were raised. Would the amazing Town team who had done the double over Leeds come out for the second half all guns blazing? Er… no. We were still woeful. We were still dire. We could not string two passes together. They were down to ten men. We missed a penalty. Dearie, dearie me…
The one hundred and nine Cheltenham fans looked as if they’d be going home singing. But no;
five minutes extra time was given. Butler, for Town, scored on the 93rd minute. Robins, I share your pain just as Town shared your points. Our play-off hopes are gone and buried and Lee Clark’s honeymoon period is over. Never mind. At least we’ll look good next season at the away matches.