CITY 4 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0
FA Cup 4th Round
30th January 1926
Attendance 74,799
Scorers Hicks 2, Roberts, Browell
City Goodchild, Cookson, McCloy, Coupland, Cowan, Pringle, Austin, Browell, Roberts, Johnson, Hicks
FROM AN ARTICLE BY IAN THOMAS, PUBLISHED IN THE HUDDERSFIELD PROGRAMME 9TH JANUARY 1988 – City and Town were paired together in the fourth round at Maine Road in January 1926 and it looked likely that Town would, at the very least, secure a replay at Leeds Road. The form books showed City scrapping to escape relegation, which they failed to do, and, Town marching proudly towards their third successive title, which they successfully completed.
As this was the only tie in Lancashire that day it was not surprising that the attendance of 74,799 was easily the best ot the round.
Town supporters crossed the Pennines in their thousands and a contemporary report stated, “The invasion grew in strength until about 1 o’clock an inhabitant of Huddersfield need only shut his eyes for his ears to convince him that he was back in his native town. Street handlers met Town supporters pouring into Market Street and Piccadily to sell ‘Cup and CoI0urs,’ fruit, chewing gum and peppermint.”
Goodall and Steele were missing for Town but City were unchanged from the previous week’s 5-1 thrashing of Manchester United.
Conditions were ideal as the teams kicked off. lt was soon obvious that it was going to be one of those F.A. Cup encounters where League form counts for nothing. Without the visitors making a serious effort at goal, City took the lead ln the 21st minute when Hicks drove home a first time shot. Seven minutes later the same player headed a second goal after Town’s keeper, Taylor, cleared twice in quick succession. Town then attacked for a spell and Stephenson had two good efforts saved by goalkeeper Goodchild. After 50 minutes Roberts dribbled around Wadsworth and Barkas before beating Taylor with a low shot. Towards the end a brilliant run by Austin got Browell in for a fourth goal and in the excitement one of the barriers collapsed and five people were injured.
