Chris happy with start and goal – but not defeat
Chris Atkinson gave Town a dream start with his first goal for the Club against Leeds United this afternoon, but it turned out to be a day to forget for the Terriers.
The 20 year-old midfielder made his sixth appearance for Huddersfield – his first of the season – and netted his first Town goal with a composed finish in just the 12th minute, but Leeds fought back and won the tie 4-2 after 90 minutes.
“Obviously I was pleased to get the start today,” Chris told htafc.com. “The Manager named the team today and I was delighted; I couldn’t wait to get out there, because the fans were great and created a fantastic atmosphere. All my family were here watching, but they didn’t know I would be playing until this morning.
“We got the early goal and that put us on top. I just gambled in the box and ‘Clayts’ played a lovely ball through to me, so I took a touch and played it past the ‘keeper. When you get in the box like that, you can’t start slashing at things; you have to be composed and luckily I found the back of the net. To be honest, it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had.
“The result takes away from that though, of course. We wanted the three points today and we didn’t get them.
“When they scored, things settled down. To be honest that wasn’t our best performance today; I don’t think we got the ball down and passed it about like we can do and on occasions I think we played into their hands, but we still put a big effort in and the work rate was good. It just wasn’t to be, so we have to move onto next week.
“We’re down now because we’ve just lost a Yorkshire derby, but as I’ve said we’ll move onto next week now and look to pick up three points then.”
Chris’ goal was actually his sixth of the season following on from the five he netted in a successful loan spell with npower League 2 side Chesterfield recently, but he knows he will have to continue to work hard to stay in Simon Grayson’s plans.
“I’ve been at Chesterfield, where I got a few games and scored a few goals, and I’ve come back full of confidence. That’s football for you; last week I was there and this week I’m scoring against Leeds United, so who knows what’ll happen next? I know I have to work hard every single day in training and do my best. Hopefully then I can keep forcing my way back in.”
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