26 December 1948 Huddersfield Town 1 Blackpool 0

Blackpool's Unhappy Christmas

Huddersfield Town 1, Blackpool 0

By “Spectator”

IN gaining their first home victory since September 25 Huddersfield Town took one of the many chances which fell to both teams, writes “The Evening Gazette” Huddersfield football correspondent.

A wing-half, Boot, crashed his way through the Blackpool defence late in the first half to score the winning goal from close range.

Earlier, Blackpool’s defence, with Hayward playing behind his full-backs, had taken the measure of a lively Town attack which was without Peter Doherty, injured in the Christmas Day match at Bloomfield- road, when the teams played a goalless draw.

Football was almost impossible on Huddersfield’s ground, a hard frost bound surface making play treacherous. Players of both teams behaved like marionettes, stepping daintily in their task.

Defenders were quite unable to recover once they were beaten, but neither set of forwards took full advantage of this, although Stanley Matthews, in spite of being closely policed, made for Blackpool more chances than were ever made for the Huddersfield attack.

CHANCE MISSED

The most glaring failure was by Garrett, a full-back playing at centre-forward for Blackpool in place of McIntosh, also injured in the Christmas Day game. With Mills on the ground after a clearance had been mishit. Garrett shot the ball at the goalkeeper.

McCall and Matthews had good shots saved by good goal-keeping.

Only in the first and last ten minutes were Blackpool able to reach their peak form, but even when they threw all their resources into attack the Huddersfield Town defence could not be broken down.

Tempers became frayed towards the end, and when Mills was bundled into the back of the net fists were flying in the goal-mouth.

Garrett was Blackpool’s only change from the Christmas Day side.

FOOTNOTE. It was an unhappy Christmas for the Seasiders - only one point out of four after losing their previous two games.

Blackpool have not scored a goal in their last four matches;

Huddersfield Town 1, Blackpool 0

Eddie Boot will mark this off as one of his memorable matches. He scored his first goal of the season to beat Blackpool at Huddersfield yesterday, and as captain in place of absent Peter Doherty, played a great part in checking the Blackpool fight back for points.

Blackpool had their chances to win when Garrett, second team full back playing centre forward, twice beat the defence. 

Each time Mills threw himself at Garrett’s feet for-daring saves.

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Christmas Day

Boxing Day

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