Blackpool v Huddersfield Town: Match Abandoned
Huddersfield Town story posted by Sean Makin on 03/05/2015
Huddersfield Town's final league match of the season at Blackpool was abandoned after home fans invaded the pitch and refused to move in protest against the club's owner.
Blackpool supporters staged a protest before the match against chairman Karl Oyston and took it to the playing surface on 48 minutes.
The players were taken off the pitch by referee Mick Russell and there was an announcement 19 minutes later that he wanted to continue the match, but Blackpool fans refused to move from the centre circle.
Over an hour later the fans were still on the pitch as police and stewards made no attempt to move them away.
Fans were dancing the conga and one fan raced around the pitch on a mobility scooter.
It was then announced the match was abandoned for safety reasons and people were asked to leave the stadium.
An attempt was made by some Blackpool supporters to climb into the directors box but to no avail.
TV pictures have since shown Oyston smiling as the protest came on to the pitch.
Opinion amongst Town fans appears to be divided on social media but they were praised by chairman Dean Hoyle and director Nigel Clibbens for their behaviour during the disruption.
Blackpool and their supporters have since apologised to the 2,350 Town fans in attendance, which included 270 taking part in the third 'Pedal for Pounds' fund raiser as well as Team Three Towers who had cycled from Paris.
The Football Association are now investigating the matter and will determine if the match is to be replayed or not.
The most sensible outcome would be to award Town the three points.
As for the football on the pitch, Town had the better of the possession and chances.
Manager Chris Powell made three changes. Reece James replaced Joe Wilkison, Joe Lolley started ahead of Sean Scannell and James Vaughan started as Nahki Wells was out with a groin injury.
Youngsters Will Boyle and Philip Billing were given a place on the bench but midfielder Jonathan Hogg was out of the matchday squad due to knee problem.
Blackpool themselves made three changes but boss Lee Clark could only name six substitutes.
Within the first minute Lolley released Tommy Smith to cross for Vaughan, but the striker could only volley wide.
Mark Hudson headed over from Jacob Butterfield's corner on 11 minutes and the Town captain was in the right place four minutes later to block Dom Telford's effort.
Blackpool goalkeeper Elliot Parish denied Lolley after the Town winger went on a good run and then somehow managed to keep out Ishmael Miller's follow-up.
Lynch then powered a header wide of goal from the resulting corner kick.
Miller fired an effort just over the bar before Blackpool and former Town defender Peter Clarke decided to have a crack from 40 yards out that Alex Smithies superbly tipped away as the half drew to a close.
The match had just kicked off the second half when Blackpool fans streamed on to the pitch.
Teams:
Blackpool: Parish, Clarke, O'Dea, Addison, Maher (Cameron 20), Perkins, Cubero Loria, O'Hara, Dunne, Telford, Delfouneso.
Subs not used: Oliver, Ferguson, Higham, Boney, Osavi-Samuel.
Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Hudson, Lynch, James, Lolley, Coady, Gobern, Butterfield, Vaughan, Miller.
Subs: Murphy, Edgar, Scannell, Billing, Bunn, Boyle.
Referee: Mick Russell.
Blackpool supporters staged a protest before the match against chairman Karl Oyston and took it to the playing surface on 48 minutes.
The players were taken off the pitch by referee Mick Russell and there was an announcement 19 minutes later that he wanted to continue the match, but Blackpool fans refused to move from the centre circle.
Over an hour later the fans were still on the pitch as police and stewards made no attempt to move them away.
Fans were dancing the conga and one fan raced around the pitch on a mobility scooter.
It was then announced the match was abandoned for safety reasons and people were asked to leave the stadium.
An attempt was made by some Blackpool supporters to climb into the directors box but to no avail.
TV pictures have since shown Oyston smiling as the protest came on to the pitch.
Opinion amongst Town fans appears to be divided on social media but they were praised by chairman Dean Hoyle and director Nigel Clibbens for their behaviour during the disruption.
Blackpool and their supporters have since apologised to the 2,350 Town fans in attendance, which included 270 taking part in the third 'Pedal for Pounds' fund raiser as well as Team Three Towers who had cycled from Paris.
The Football Association are now investigating the matter and will determine if the match is to be replayed or not.
The most sensible outcome would be to award Town the three points.
As for the football on the pitch, Town had the better of the possession and chances.
Manager Chris Powell made three changes. Reece James replaced Joe Wilkison, Joe Lolley started ahead of Sean Scannell and James Vaughan started as Nahki Wells was out with a groin injury.
Youngsters Will Boyle and Philip Billing were given a place on the bench but midfielder Jonathan Hogg was out of the matchday squad due to knee problem.
Blackpool themselves made three changes but boss Lee Clark could only name six substitutes.
Within the first minute Lolley released Tommy Smith to cross for Vaughan, but the striker could only volley wide.
Mark Hudson headed over from Jacob Butterfield's corner on 11 minutes and the Town captain was in the right place four minutes later to block Dom Telford's effort.
Blackpool goalkeeper Elliot Parish denied Lolley after the Town winger went on a good run and then somehow managed to keep out Ishmael Miller's follow-up.
Lynch then powered a header wide of goal from the resulting corner kick.
Miller fired an effort just over the bar before Blackpool and former Town defender Peter Clarke decided to have a crack from 40 yards out that Alex Smithies superbly tipped away as the half drew to a close.
The match had just kicked off the second half when Blackpool fans streamed on to the pitch.
Teams:
Blackpool: Parish, Clarke, O'Dea, Addison, Maher (Cameron 20), Perkins, Cubero Loria, O'Hara, Dunne, Telford, Delfouneso.
Subs not used: Oliver, Ferguson, Higham, Boney, Osavi-Samuel.
Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Smith, Hudson, Lynch, James, Lolley, Coady, Gobern, Butterfield, Vaughan, Miller.
Subs: Murphy, Edgar, Scannell, Billing, Bunn, Boyle.
Referee: Mick Russell.
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