Disappointed that it’s took me a week to write this, but hey better late than never, as Alex Ferguson once said. Last Saturday saw my first visit to the Galpharm Stadium to watch the mighty Huddersfield Town. I had already booked plans to attend the match against MK Dons on the Tuesday but the lovely Grant at STV managed to arrange a ticket. So I was off to see Town versus Exeter City. Two games in four days bliss.

In my six year stay in Leeds I have yet to hoist the colours of my chosen team, spent some time with Sheffield United, the fiancés team, then everyone says “Leeds United” yes the ground is walking distance away, but I just can’t support them, not sure why just something inside me screams NO!

Giuseley is an option, only a train ride away, but the snob inside reminds me it’s Blue Square North. Huddersfield on the other hand is only 20 mins on the train and I have no ill feelings towards them, so my first trip to see them was pretty exciting.

Real easy to get to the ground, a good 10-15 minute walk from the station followed some obvious Town fans, and you can see the stadium for most of the way. Once at the ground I picked up my ticket and went for a browse round the club shop. Being Scottish I have been know to be a little tight with money, however always wanting to pick up a souvenir I tend to go for badges, nice little badge £1 job done.

Then an impulse buy at the till, “Can I have a programme please.” “Yes that’s £4 all together.” Once I parted with my money and returned outside my thoughts were “£3 for a pissing programme, Jesus Christ!!!”  Surely for the 3 ^rd division of English football that is just ridiculous.

Things didn’t get much better once past the turnstile. The Arsenal v Tottenham game was still on, a good 20 mins left, time for a beer and maybe a snack of some kind. Returning to the TV I felt as if I’d been robbed £3.40 for a small bottle of Magners, and £2.70 for a Meat and Potato pie, wow £6 for a tiny wee pie and a swig of cider. At the Wigan game you got a pint for £3, so not exactly value for money at Huddersfield so far.

On the pitch I wasn’t sure what to expect from either side, only Jamie Cureton was recognisable to me in the away side, and from Town I knew a few players, ex-Sheff United keeper Ian Bennett in goals, at left back was Graham Carey on loan from Celtic. And Joey Gudjohnson and Damian Johnson were joined in midfield by Scott Arfield ex-Falkirk player.

Then one of the strange ones, during the announcement of the teams “Number 7 – Super Gary Roberts” got the biggest cheer, I’ll be honest, I’d never heard of him before, so to get the biggest cheer I was intrigued. He was rubbish, did nothing most of the game, the only note I made of his name the whole match was to question who he was.

Huddersfield were impressive some lovely one touch passing, movement was good; the only thing they didn’t do in the first 25 minutes was score. Carey’s dangerous cross from the right was perfect for Jordan Rhodes to leap at the back post and get his head to it. Surely a goal, but alas no it came off the underside of the bar and then the goal-line and clear.

Then that old cliché popped up, “when on top, you have to take your chances!” After 35 minutes of constant pressure Exeter struck the counter blow, winning a corner, it was swung in from the right and Richard Duffy threw himself at the ball, unmarked Bennett had no chance, maybe undeserved but away from home you take what you can get.

It was nearly two shortly after, another corner from the same side, this time it was Troy Archibald-Henville that lost his man, but after the header it was deemed he had fouled Peter Clarke to get clear, the linesman’s flag was up and the goal disallowed.

The rest of the game followed a similar pattern, Huddersfield piled on the pressure, Exeter defended well, Archibald-Henville was impressive as the anchor in a five man midfield, Exeter’s stand out performer came in the guise of Polish goalie Artur Krysiak he made two or three great saves.

Near the death it was Arfield that troubled Krysiak twice, forcing a low save to his right, and then Arfield got a wild shot with his left, keeper beaten, but saved by the crossbar again. Sometimes it’s just not your day, and this day was certainly not for Huddersfield. The game finished 1-0 to Exeter and noone quite knew how.

One exciting point for the home town fans is the exciting loan player Benik Afobe, only 17 on loan from Arsenal, this kid is a live wire, it gave the team energy as soon as he came on, blistering pace, Lee Clark will do well to keep this boy on loan.

A smash and grab winfor the Grecians, Town fans unhappy, the walk to the train station seemed a little longer after a frustrating match for the home supporters. Respect goes out to the 3/400 Exeter fans that made the long journey up north. Rewarded with their effort it would have been a happy few buses that made their way back down.