In Which Lightning Strikes Twice
Just a short post today, with an illustration of how much Town have changed in the last few years and to highlight something I've come to enjoy about Saturday's opponents.
Before my story begins, I want to place the following caveat. I like Leyton Orient; my experiences at Brisbane Road have been positive, their fans seem friendly, and the team have played pretty good football when I've seen them. I see them as one of the better points of League One football, and its well worth a trip as an away fan if you find yourself at a loose end when Town are visiting. There was a time, however, not so long ago, when I was somewhat wary of Leyton Orient, and it was because I found them a little bit spooky.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin. Long ago and far away in England, I watched Hartlepool United's run for the League One playoffs with a certain amount of relish, becoming particularly fond of both Joel Porter and Adam Boyd, who paired up for them in attack, and provided many goals for that team. Sadly, the Poolies' run came to an end in the playoff final, and the team was broken up a little, with Boyd moving first to Luton, then to Leyton Orient, where we will pick him up in our story again.
Through the murky haze of time, and the wobbly lines of my memory - I apologise for any inaccuracy - comes this tale from the twilight zone.
Imagine the following scene. Its late November 2007, Town have picked up a bit after a ropey start and had a more than creditable 0-1 victory at Swansea on a Friday night. Leyton Orient are coming to Town on the Saturday, and Huddersfield is a-buzz with anticipation for the big match, albeit that the big match is in a few weeks' time against Leeds. Orient are flying high, second in the League One table, so they'll be coming to Town in boisterous mood, and full of confidence, and Town's new striker Phil Jevons will have to take his chances. At 5.00pm on Saturday evening, Orient have snuck away from the Galpharm with a sketchy 0-1 victory in a game Town dominated, courtesy of a real poacher's goal within four minutes from former Hartlepool hitman Adam Boyd.
Now, imagine this scene. Its late November 2008, Town have picked up a bit after a ropey start and had a creditable 1-2 victory at Leeds on a Saturday lunchtime. Leyton Orient are coming to Town on the Saturday, and Huddersfield is a-buzz with anticipation for the big match...
You can see where this one is going now, can't you?
On 24th November, 2007, Orient visited Town and won 0-1, Adam Boyd scored a top quality winner, and they hung on for the next 87-odd minutes for the three points. A year and a day later, on 25th November, 2008, Orient visited Town and did exactly the same thing, although Town were better and Orient slightly worse than the year before as the game wore on; indeed, Orient only mustered the one shot throughout, compared to Town's 16. I think of this pair of games as one of football's curious coincidences, but you can be certain that when the fixtures for the 2009/10 season came out, I was very glad to see Orient on the 24th October, and not a month later. Happily, Town banished the brief hoodoo by winning that match 4-0.
Why am I telling this story, then? Well, it seemed fitting given that Orient are in Town again on Saturday, and seeing that first Town team introducing Phil Jevons to a team with Frank Sinclair in it, four years ago feels an extremely long time. It also goes to prove that sometimes, even when things look very much like they're a pattern, they're nothing other than a freak of luck, though if Saturday's game ends 2-2 with Rhodes and Novak both netting, I'll be asking the same questions again.
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Blog Authors
Marco 4J - Exiled Kilner-Banker now living in Medway. Season ticket holder for around 10 of the seasons between 1994-2007. Currently to be seen in the away end of London-based HTAFC matches. First Town memory: Scoring a penalty (1 out of 3) against Lee Martin at an open day. Best Town memory: the 2-5 win at Crewe in the Great Escape Season. Favourite Players: Danny Schofield, Steve Harper, Nat Brown.
Luke Wielgus - Counting down the days till Saturday when I''l either be in my usual spot in the Kilner Bank or in some obscure little town (away day fund permitting!). One things for sure though - win, lose or draw I'l' be back next week to do it all again! TTID
Greg Marah - I'm an exiled Huddersfield Town fan most of the year as i go to university on the wrong side of the Pennines. Despite that I spend far too much money and time following Town throughout the season.
Sean Makin - Been a HTFC fan since 1994 and been a season ticket holder for the past 10 years and counting. Go to every home game and most away matches (finances permitting). Best experience - winning the play-off final at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff back in 2004. Worst - getting relegated on last day of the season from the championship in 2001 by a single point.
Uh-oohhhh