Huddersfield Town end of season review 2010/11

Huddersfield

TOWN Season 2010-2011

In association with

Kirklees College Construction

2

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011

We pick up where we left off says

TOWN have already begun to pick up the pieces of their broken promotion dream with first-team coach Paul Stephenson promising: “We’ll push for automatic next season.”

The 43-year-old says the Galpharm squad are still hurting from their 3-0 reversal to Peterborough in the League I play-off final – their first defeat in 28 matches at that level.

He’s determined, however, that when the players return for pre-season training in just a month’s time, they will be ready to learn some important lessons which could just tip the promotion balance in Town’s favour come 2012.

By MEL BOOTH Sports Editor mel.booth@examiner.co.uk

“I’m obviously still very disappointed for a fantastic group of lads and the people on the staff, because we all worked so hard to try and achieve our one goal for the season, promotion,” said Stephenson.

“We came so near with a 27-match unbeaten run, and while we didn’t always play our best we showed a fantastic spirit and great resilience and it was only at the final hurdle that we fell.

“The mood afterwards, understandably, was very bad. Everyone was so bitterly disappointed because we all believed we

could do it. We tried and we went hell for leather to do it in the normal season, but we just fell short in the very last game of the season.

“Our season was 61 matches, more than anyone else and it was a magnificent effort – the lads were a credit to the area and did fantastically well.

“And we have to recognise that we’ve got an awful lot to look forward to because of the spirit we’ve shown in the group and the run we’ve been on.”

Stephenson – a key member of manager Lee Clark’s trusted backroom staff – has already started planning for 2011-12, with

the fixtures announced on Friday, June 17.

“What the lads and the staff as a group have got to continue to learn from maybe is the first half of last season,” he explained.

“We did that by having a fantastic second half of the season and if we can take that form into the new campaign, then I don’t see any reason why we can’t push for automatic promotion again.”

So what was the coach’s take on events at Old Trafford, where goals from Tommy Rowe, Craig Mackail-Smith and Grant McCann in the space of eight horrible minutes demolished Town’s hopes?

“We were on top, especially in the second

R E A S O N S T O There’s great matches ahead next season TOWN fans seeking solace after the play-off final defeat by Peterborough will find some in the League I fixture list for 2011-12.

Published on Friday, June 17, it will include meetings with two of the club’s most traditional rivals, Sheffield United and Preston North End. And with Scunthorpe United also relegated and Chesterfield and Bury coming up from League II, travelling fans will have far fewer miles to cover.

Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage, a club Town have never previously met, are the other new names on the schedule.

And with Plymouth Argyle, Brighton, Southampton and Dagenham and Redbridge among the names disappearing, there’s a huge difference in the total distance to cover.

In the season just ended, the 23 league games involved a total round trip of 9,526 miles – next time it will be 5,750.

As well as Stevenage’s Broadhall Way base, Town fans will get the chance to check out Chesterfield’s B2Net Stadium.

John Sheridan’s side, which for the first half of the season included Town full-back Jack Hunt, celebrated their first season post-Saltergate by winning the League II title.

Up the road at Sheffield United, there’s big controversy over the Blades’ choice as new boss – former Wednesday player and

By DOUG THOMSON Deputy Sports Editor doug.thomson@examiner.co.uk

boss Danny Wilson. The 51-year-old, who has also been in charge of Barnsley, Bristol City, MK Dons, Hartlepool and Swindon, is the first manager to cross the steel city’s footballing divide.

And the man who brought Premier League football to Oakwell has promised to win over the doubters down Bramall Lane.

“I am not foolish enough to think it’s not difficult to come across the city,” said Wilson, who has succeeded Micky Adams.

“But as far as I am concerned, it is a massive privilege to come to a club of this size and help turn them around.

“You have to get the fans onside wherever you go. I can promise to work very hard for this football club and eventually we will win people over.”

Wilson is expected to drawn on members of the side which reached this season’s FA Youth Cup final, and Preston could also go down the teenage route.

North End chairman Maurice Lindsay, the former Wigan rugby league supremo, said: “We don’t have millions to spend as I’ve tried to explain before.

“We want to restructure Preston, it needs

a rebuild. In the last few years, the club has had a lot of players and managers.

“That is not how we think a sporting side should be built. When you look at the successful sides like Barcelona and Manchester United, they build over the course of a few years.

“The core of the team come through together, learn their skills together, and go on to be successful.

“We’re a billion miles away from clubs like that financially, but the same principles can be applied in how things are done.

“As (manager) Phil Brown has already stated, we’re looking to build a younger side, mixed with some experience.”

Stevenage boss Graham Westley and Wycombe chief Garry Waddock will both be aiming to consolidate in League I. Play-off winners Stevenage have won successive promotions while Wycombe made an immediate return after their relegation in 2010.

And while Alan Knill will try to guide Scunthorpe straight back to the Championship, his former club Bury have still to confirm their manager.

The Shakers, whose promotion was clinched under caretaker chief Richie Barker, have at least agreed a new two-year deal with former Town defender Efe Sodje.

■ CLASS: skipper Peter Clarke has a new deal to

CHARLIES TYRE SHOPS LTD Are pleased and excited to be behind Huddersfield Town BROCKHOLES - Tel 01484 666916

MELTHAM - Tel 01484 854600

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011

3

Stevo half when we had good opportunities,” he said.

“We were two v one on two occasions but didn’t quite find the pass when we needed it.

“The turning point of the game, from what I saw, was when Charlie Lee came on for Peterborough (63 minutes).

“He went into two heavy challenges and he was down for a while when we were on top.

“The momentum was lost a little through that and, all of a sudden, Peterborough got a bit of a breather, got their heads turned around and then got the break when it mattered with the free-kick.”

■ EYE ON THE BALL: first-team coach Paul Stephenson (left) with assistant manager Terry McDermott

BE CHEERFUL And there’s also ..

OKAY, we’re all still feeling the pain of the play-off final defeat by Peterborough, but let’s be positive – there are plenty of reasons to believe 2011-12 will be Town’s season.

Here are 10 to be going on with: 1. Dean Hoyle: The club’s owner-chairman (right) will continue to back the push for the Championship.

He’s been successful in business, and is equally determined when it comes to his beloved club.

2. Lee Clark: The Geordie boss is hard-working, highly rated within the game, totally focused, has gained valuable experience and works with trusted staff.

3. Year-on-year improvement: Clark has guided Town to final positions of ninth, sixth and third.

Now his aim will be first.

4. Fan power: Town took more than 31,000 fans to the final at Old Trafford and will be among the best supported in League I next time around.

5. Facilities: There’s no doubting the quality of the Galpharm Stadium, which will have a new pitch, and Town will soon have a top-class training ground at Canalside.

6. Odds on: William Hill have Town at 9/2 favourites (in front of Sheffield Wednesday and Preston) to win the division, and you don’t see many hard-up bookies!

7. Wembley hope: Town came so close to making the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final. Why not do it next time around?

8. Captain fantastic: Peter Clarke, who always leads by example, nailed his blue and white colours to the mast by signing a new contract.

9. International experience: Town already have Gary Naysmith, Joey Gudjonsson and Alan Lee on board, while Damien Johnson, Kevin Kilbane and Nick Colgan might well return.

10. Up-and-coming youngsters: Can the likes of Chris Atkinson (right), Jimmy Spencer, Hatib Cham and Greg Pearson follow Jack Hunt and Liam Ridehalgh by making their mark?

play alongside towering Jamie McCombe (left) and international-pedigree Kevin Kilbane (centre) next season

So, come on. Let’s get positive!

4

Thursday June2, 2011

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

■ HISTORY: Herbert Chapman, former manger of both Town and Arsenal, was remembered at the Emirates when the two met in the FA Cup

JOY AND DESPAIR IN CUP

CUP football provided Town with two trips to Premier League clubs – and two contrasting Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clashes with Carlisle United.

They might have been beaten 5-1 at Everton in the second round of the Carling Cup, but in round four of the FA Cup, Lee Clark’s side certainly did themselves proud at Arsenal.

It took a controversial late penalty, put away

by Cesc Fabregas, to cement the 2-1 win which denied Town what would have been a deserved replay against Arsene Wenger’s side.

The Sunday showdown at the Emirates – where 59,375, including more than 5,000 Town fans, watched – featured a full debut for defender Jack Hunt and a first Town goal for Alan Lee. Former Crystal Palace striker Lee also counted (twice) in a memorable JP Trophy Northern final second leg against Carlisle at the Galpharm.

Town had won up in Cumbria in the first round of the Carling Cup, but with a Wembley trip at stake, crashed 4-0 back at Brunton Park in the first leg of the JPT area final.

If Carlisle thought it was done and dusted, they were wrong, because with Anthony Pilkington also on target, Town won the return 3-0, and came close to forcing extra time.

Clark’s men had beaten Peterborough United, Rotherham United and Tranmere Rovers to make the Northern final for only the third time.

In the FA Cup, Town got the better of non-league duo Cambridge United and Dover Athletic either side of a thumping 6-0 victory over League II Macclesfield Town.

Six different players made the scoresheet in that success – Rhodes, Pilkington, Benik Afobe, Jamie McCombe, Antony Kay and Gary Roberts.

Whatever your timber and building material G A R R A R D S needs we’ve got it covered (Huddersfield) Ltd.

• Softwoods and hardwoods • Joists • Decking and fencing • Sheet materials • Large selection of flooring, doors and worktops on display • Heavyside Products now in stock for 2011 • Aggregate Products • Blocks • Bricks

PROUD TO SUPPORT TOWN

Special Offer - Quinn Cement £2.90 per bag while stocks last

T IMBER MERCHANTS Great Northern Street, Huddersfield • 01484 428321

SUPPLIERS OF A LARGE SELECTION OF TIMBER PRODUCTS TO BOTH TRADE AND PUBLIC

Open: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.00pm • Sat 8.00am-1.00pm

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011

■ PREMIER FOES: Gary Roberts and Theo Robinson do battle with Everton and, main picture, Alan Lee celebrates his goal in the FA Cup clash with Arsenal at The Emirates

5

The team’s in great shape ... on and off the football field

By MEL BOOTH Sports Editor mel.booth@examiner.co.uk

TOWN have solid foundations in place despite their play-off agony – and will continue to move forward.

So says Nigel Clibbens, the club’s chief executive .

He’s the man with his finger on the pulse of all things blue and white and he’s optimistic Town will turn the wheel of emotion full circle next time.

Clibbens is in place to manage chairman Dean Hoyle’s funding of the club and to oversee commercial and community activity – all of which provide a positive backbone for what happens on the pitch.

He sees no reason in the wake of Old Trafford for Town to feel sorry for themselves or to take a backward step from the long-term planning which Hoyle has put in place at the Galpharm and Canalside training complex to take Town to the Championship.

“Over the course of the season we have a lot to be proud of,” said Clibbens, who manages a turnover of between £5m and £6m in League I. “We have had some fantastic times, the club has moved on and we’ve got to look forward to next season and the prospect of doing it the ‘easy’ way by winning automatic promotion.

“There is a lot to build on from what was, really, a great season with 27 matches unbeaten, 87 points and a record number of away wins. Those are statistics to be proud of and it was only at the final hurdle that it wasn’t our day.”

Clibbens says manager Lee Clark and the directors – he works closely with director of operations Ann Hough and commercial director Sean Jarvis – will do all they can to keep the playing squad as intact as possible while recognising the budgets that are already on the laptop.

“We have some great foundations in place and some excellent players, and we

■ CLIBBENS: we’ll be stronger are a far better team now than we were this time last year (when Town lost in the play-off semi-finals to Millwall),” he said.

“Next season we will be even better, I’m sure, because we’ve got some terrific players with lots of ability and we want to keep moving forward with them.

“We don’t really want any of them to go and we don’t see any of them going. We want to keep moving forward because the lads have done great.

“It’s tough now, obviously, because we are all so disappointed, but I am sure come pre-season the players will all be looking forward to doing battle again and, next time, we’ll be determined to do it automatically.”

Backed by over 31,000 fans at Manchester United’s Theatre of Dreams, Clibbens knows expectations will be high once again. With the bulk of the squad already under contract, only a few bits of ‘tweaking’ are envisaged to enable Town to stand shoulder to shoulder with Preston, Sheffield United, Scunthorpe and the other promotion favourites.

“Last season was an exceptional League

I and the teams that went up were very, very strong,” he continued.

“It just happens that, during the season, there were four of us vying for three places – two automatic (Brighton and Southampton) and one promotion through the play-offs (Peterborough).

“One of us had to lose out and, unfortunately, it was us at the very last hurdle.

“It’s difficult for everyone at the moment having come so far and not done it, but last year we were in this position and went out a round earlier, so we have come back stronger and I’m sure we will come back stronger again.

“We’ve have got absolutely nothing to feel sorry for at all.

“We have done ourselves credit, the club credit and, over the course of the season, the fans have been fantastic.

“Give it a few weeks and we will all be looking forward to it all again – aiming to do what Brighton and Southampton did this time.”

So what were his reflections on Old Trafford, where free t-shirts for the fans made the Stretford End and adjoining banks of seats into an impressive blue and white background?

“We did ourselves credit as a club I felt, the players gave it everything and the crowd gave it everything – it just wasn’t to be our day,” he said.

“There was a long period at the start of the second half where we played really well and put them under a lot of pressure, and if we could have scored at that point you never know what might have happened.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get our goal from a few half opportunities and Peterborough are very dangerous. They got one, then got another very quickly and it was game over.

“But as I’ve said, we will come back stronger. A lot of good things are in place at our club and we will build on them.”

A BLINDING OFFER from SWIFT

QUALITY BLINDS MADE IN HUDDERSFIELD SINCE 1969

SAVE up to 25% PRICE MATCH - Like 4 Like FREE Measure & Fitting*

Please present voucher for discount

*on orders over £250

Showroom: Lockwood Road, Huddersfield HD1 3TG Tel 01484 512741 www.swiftblinds-curtains.co.uk

6

Thursday June2, 2011

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Notts County 0-3 TOWN Pilkington (2), Rhodes. Attn: 10,342

TWO clinical finishes by Anthony Pilkington and a close-range flick by Jordan Rhodes put Town at the top of the pile after day one of the new League One campaign.

Of course it’s very early days, the only table which really matters will be that after Town host Brentford in game 46 on May 7 – and there are likely to be an awful lot of twists and turns between now and then.

But as a statement of intent, this was pretty strongly worded, and if Lee Clark’s men can produce 45 more performances like this, then the fans will surely be celebrating in 10 months’ time.

Talking of fans, full marks to the 3,161 travelling contingent in a 10,342 crowd at Meadow Lane.

Taking up the bulk of a touchline stand and forming a wall of blue and white, they set the tone for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon before kick-off by unfurling a giant flag and belting out a rousing rendition of the ‘Yorkshireman’ chant which has become something of a cult classic.

They had to wait a while to celebrate. After Gary Roberts and Joey Gudjonsson were both unsuccessful with edge-of-the-area free-kicks Joe Garner then dinked a shot just wide after being put through one-on-one with keeper Rob Burch thanks to a lovely Roberts’ pass. There was the worry that Town’s total domination of the opening stages wouldn’t be reflected by the scoreline.

But then the home defence was breached twice in four minutes – and Town never looked back as they eased to a first win in six visits to Meadow Lane.

Both first-half goals originated from throw-ins, the first by left-back Gary Naysmith in the 32nd minute.

Roberts took full advantage of a wayward Notts header, making an angled run towards the penalty box, holding off a couple of challengers and slipping a low ball to Pilkington.

The winger took one touch then dispatched a rising right-foot shot into the roof of the net.

Frustrated home keeper Burch must have felt the effects of kicking a post in frustration, but he would have been in even more pain three minutes later after being beaten for the second time.

Now it was right-back Lee Peltier delivering the key throw.

Gudjonsson flicked the ball back to Jamie McCombe, the giant centre-back advanced and fed Garner, and the striker’s low cross from the right was neatly turned home

by Rhodes, providing a first of the term for last season’s 23-goal top scorer.

Town had County in knots, and looked like making it three when a poor back pass let in Scott Arfield. But as the Scottish midfielder elected to go it alone rather than pass, centre-back Graeme Lee made a saving tackle.

There was just one nervy moment before the break, when Notts came close to making their first corner of the game count.

Big striker Ben Burgess nodded down a Ben Davies delivery and Liam Chilvers fired in a ferocious volley, only for the busy Garner to throw himself in the way, with the brave block leaving him winded and in need of treatment.

Home supporters gleefully goaded the player on loan from their arch-rivals Nottingham Forest, but he responded in the best possible manner, producing a man-of-the-match performance as one of five debutants in the starting line-up (Plymouth loanee Damien Johnson later came off the bench).

The goal his gutsy show merited eluded him, with a dipping 20-yard effort in the 67th minute hitting the bar, but Town were still able to set the seal on a fine day’s work in the 72nd minute.

It was another set-piece, with Gudjonsson’s free-kick finding Pilkington, who found the net at the second attempt after his first was charged down.

It was no more than Town deserved. Last season’s League Two champions provided Town with their best opening-day away win since Blackpool were beaten 4-1 in 1994-95, a League One promotion campaign.

TOWN 0-0 Tranmere Rovers Attn: 13,707

GARY NAYSMITH’S sending off set the seal on a thoroughly frustrating afternoon for Town and their expectant fans.

The Scottish international left-back will be suspended for Saturday’s trip to Peterborough United after seeing red in the 86th minute.

Already cautioned for a 64th-minute foul on Joss Labadie, the former Sheffield United man must have known his home debut was to end early after bringing down substitute Kayleden Brown, the on-loan West Brom striker, as he broke on the counter-attack.

Sure enough Tyne and Wear whistler Geoff Eltringham produced yellow, then red, and Town were down to 10.

They still managed to force their best chance of the second period despite being low on numbers, with Theo

AUGUST

League I, end of August

Jamie McCombe seemed to have got a key touch, but the ball ricocheted against Mackail-Smith and rolled past the despairing Smithies and over the line.

Clark reshuffled in a bid to shore things up, replacing Carey, booked for a first-half foul on Davies and walking a tightrope after his challenge on Little, with Roberts and switching Arfield to left-back on the hour.

Lee Novak replaced Rhodes, but by the time Lee Croft came on for Pilkington, Mclean had notched his second of the game, netting with an angled shot in the 67th minute after a high ball from the left deceived Town skipper Peter Clarke.

Credit to Town that they managed to string together some late attacks, with debutant Croft, the Derby loan man, producing a busy stint.

Arfield was just wide with a curling shot from Garner’s clever back-heel before Roberts swept past three men before rifling a low effort against the right-hand upright.

But it was hard to argue with the home side’s right to the points after a storming comeback which leaves Town needing to respond with resolution.

TOWN 3-1 Charlton Athletic Rhodes, McCombe, Roberts. Attn: 13,858

■ PRESSURE: Gary Roberts takes on the Notts County defence Robinson looking set to clinch three points when he climbed to meet Anthony Pilkington’s cross a minute into time added on.

The substitute’s header, however, drifted harmlessly wide, and for stubborn Tranmere, it was job done.

At least Town collected a point, and the clean sheet which means they go to Peterborough aiming to start a season with four in a row for the first time in the club’s history.

Rovers might have snatched the win their shut-up-shop approach hardly merited when Ian Thomas-Moore ran onto on-loan Leeds right-back Liam Darville’s 77th-minute pass.

The striker who continues to be linked with Rotherham, the League II team managed by his dad Ronnie Moore, beat Alex Smithies with a low diagonal shot, but looked on in anguish as the ball went just wide of the keeper’s right-hand post.

Defeat would have been tough on Town, but despite dominating for long spells, they were unable to find the cutting edge which brought that impressive 3-0 opening-day win at Notts County.

Lee Clark tried to spark his side into action by making three changes within the space of 13 minutes in the second half.

Lee Novak, Robinson and Damien Johnson replaced Joe Garner, Jordan Rhodes and Scott Arfield respectively, but there was to be no way through.

The visitors were given a little too much leeway by Mr Eltringham, both in terms of physicality and eating up the minutes, but Town can expect more teams to come primarily for a point this season – and it’s up to them to find a way through.

There was some nice passing and plenty of running, but too often Lee Clark’s side were too ponderous in their build-up and failed to present the man on the ball with enough options.

That could have been part of the reason centre-back John McCombe was caught in possession too many times for comfort, while some of Smithies’ clearance kicks were questionable, particularly the one which former Leeds man Enoch Showunmi charged down in the 23rd minute.

With the exception of Robinson’s late header, Town’s best chances came in the first half, when Pilkington had a shot from a free-kick deflected off course and McCombe a looping header held by Joe Collister.

The Birkenhead stopper did well to deal with Rhodes’ 30th-minute drive – Roberts closed down left-back Aaron Cresswell to create the chance – and while he was beaten

by Arfield’s low, angled effort a minute later, unfortunately for Town the ball rolled inches wide of the left-hand post.

Arfield picked up Peter Clarke’s pass and surged past three men before shooting, and the Scotsman’s work alongside Icelander Joey Gudjonsson in central midfield was one of the more pleasing aspects of this performance.

Right-back Lee Peltier pushed forward with determination and Garner and Rhodes both worked hard up front, as did Novak and Robinson when they came on, and it was one of those days where one goal might well have brought more.

Tranmere will surely have headed back to the Wirral satisfied with the point, but for Town, the feeling that it was two thrown away lingers on.

New Season - New Shop!

We will soon be opening our Second Shop on Leeds Rd Treat yourself on a Match Day!

Peterborough 4-2 TOWN Rhodes, Carey. Attn: 6.647

THE pre-match entertainment from a singing trio wearing cowboy hats and jackets sparked memories of Brokeback Mountain.

And just like the film, there was no happy ending, at least for Town.

There were highs, with Anthony Pilkington hitting the bar before Jordan Rhodes and Graham Carey put Lee Clark’s side two goals to the good.

But they were outweighed by the lows as Peterborough pulled one back in first-half stoppage time, with keeper Alex Smithies making an unusual handling error, before turning the game on its head with two goals in as many minutes soon after the restart.

As Posh turned the screw, Town failed to respond with sufficient power, and Smithies had been beaten for a fourth time before late pressure provided fleeting hopes of a fightback which failed to materialise.

It was a big disappointment, particularly since Town were seeking a fourth straight clean sheet and given the way they started so brightly, and it shows Clark’s new-look team is still a work in progress.

Shorn of the experienced Gary Naysmith through suspension, the manager handed full debuts to loan pair Carey (Celtic) and Damien Johnson (Plymouth), leaving Gary Roberts on the bench.

Carey slotted in at left-back and Johnson was paired with Joey Gudjonsson in central midfield, Scott Arfield switching to the left.

And while Posh made the early running – Aaron Mclean’s downward header bounced just over the bar before Kelvin Langmead screwed a shot off target from a great position – Town were soon giving as good as they got.

Gudjonsson fired well over after good approach play by Pilkington, who then fired a screamer of a shot against the bar, keeper Joe Lewis, who seemed to know little about it, looking on in relief as the ball hit his back but went for a corner rather than over his own line.

Carey then had a well-struck free-kick deflected before sending over the flag kick from which Rhodes headed Town into a 22nd-minute lead.

Posh were still having their moments, and Ryan Bennett had a headed goal disallowed for offside before Arron Davies latched onto Craig Mackail-Smith’s breakaway pass only to be halted by a fine tackle from the backtracking Arfield.

But the home fans were jeering manager Gary Johnson and his men after a foul on Gudjonsson by James Wesolowksi 20 yards out gave Carey the chance to net off the right-hand post.

Town had been 2-0 up at the same stage at Notts County and went on to close the game out, but Smithies’ lapse in allowing George Boyd’s shot to squirm through his grasp gave the home side a lift at a key time.

They were level within six minutes of the restart, when Mclean held off Lee Peltier to shoot home on the turn from Grant McCann’s inswinging free-kick, awarded for Carey’s foul on Mark Little.

And worse was to come as Mclean’s pass freed Mackail-Smith, who romped forward and put in a low shot.

A Low Fat Product Contains No Artificial Additives or Preservatives

Only locally-farmed milk in all our products

18 Swan Lane, Lockwood 01484 308308

A COMPREHENSIVE victory and plenty more to be pleased about besides.

Jordan Rhodes, Jamie McCombe and Gary Roberts were the men on the mark as Charlton were condemned to a first League I defeat of the season.

That’s four for the campaign for Rhodes, a first for the club for McCombe and a first of the season for Roberts, his sweet volley putting Town three to the good and ensuring Charlton’s stoppage time reply, a deflected shot by on-loan West Ham player Matt Fry, was ofconsolation value only.

Lee Clark’s side more than deserved the three-point haul which puts them sixth in the table, and while this was a very solid all-round team display, there were some stand-out individuals.

Well done Liam Ridehalgh for an excellent debut, the 19-year-old left-back negating the threat of highly-rated Scott Wagstaff to such a degree that the winger was replaced with 20 minutes still remaining.

And there was another highly encouraging bow by Alan Lee. At 32, the new frontline arrival from Crystal Palace is at the other end of the age range.

But the way he kept Charlton’s defence occupied – and the ovation given as he made way for Joe Garner after 87 minutes – suggests he could become as popular at Town as he was down the road at Rotherham.

With Lee Peltier serving a one-match suspension, Scott Arfield produced a fine show at right-back, while Graham Carey tormented Charlton down both flanks and set up two of the goals.

Then came Antony Kay, handed his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the Carling Cup tie at Everton and responding with a no-nonsense show alongside the slick-passing Joey Gudjonsson.

Town had to be patient for their breakthrough, but two goals in quick succession late in the first half rewarded their earlier domination.

McCombe and Lee had both tested Ross Worner with headers and Carey with a low shot by the time the Charlton stopper was left in no man’s land by Rhodes’ sweet 39th-minute lob, the chance having been created by Kay’s crunching challenge and Gudjonsson’s neat through ball.

Less than 60 seconds later, Town had strong penalty appeals turned down by Lancashire referee Graham Salisbury after Worner slid out and Rhodes tumbled as he chased a Roberts pass.

But the debate over whether it should have been a spot kick or a corner was short-lived, because Town fans soon had another goal to cheer.

Gudjonsson’s flag kick was cleared, but only to Carey, who sent across a well-judged cross which McCombe converted with a powerful header.

With Alan McCormack booked for a foul on Lee soon after, it was all going wrong for the Londoners, and things didn’t get a lot better for them in the second half.

Kyel Reid, the former Sheffield United man whose spectacular strike earned a Galpharm point last season, posed some threat, but Town were still the dominant force, with Carey bringing another save from Worner with a 57th-minute shot, thenlooking on in frustration as Christian Dailly hacked away his teasing 67th-minute cross.

Simon Francis came close to turning Arfield’s pacy cross into his own goal, and Lee rattled in a shot which Worner did well to push clear.

But the visiting keeper had no answer to Roberts’ 82nd-minute volley, struck home with venom after Lee set Carey free down the left.

Town were denied a fourth clean sheet in six games when Fry found the net, but that couldn’t take the gloss off a fine afternoon’s work.

Manager Clark spoke of the need to average two points a game prior to this match, and his side are doing that.

Now Bournemouth come North on Saturday to provide an intriguing clash between fifth and sixth.

DIXON’S MILK ICES

We are open: Monday to Friday • 8:00am to 10:00pm Saturday and Sunday • 9:00am to 10:00pm

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011 TOWN 2-2 AFC Bournemouth Kay, Roberts Attn: 10,824

TOWN created enough chances to have won comfortably, but couldn’t really complain after being denied all three points.

Lee Clark’s side struggled to find any real fluency for much of a first half bossed by Bournemouth, who took a 33rd-minute lead through in-form striker Josh McQuoid.

But buoyed by Antony Kay’s headed equaliser in first-half stoppage time, Town began the second period strongly, and were in front by the 48th minute, when Gary Roberts put away a penalty with aplomb.

The strike sparked the home team’s best period of the game, and had Alan Lee’s 63rd-minute effort gone in rather than hit the right-hand post, the visitors’ challenge would surely have been finished.

The Cherries survived, however, and picked up a point through Marc Pugh’s 79th-minute equaliser and some stubborn late defending.

The bright reputation built by Dean Court boss Eddie Howe was illustrated when he was linked with the vacancy along the coast at Southampton.

And his reputation won’t have been harmed by this display, forged on a 4-1-4-1 system which proved tough to break down and provided opportunities to push forward thanks to some quick closing down.

Only elevated to the side by Brett Pitman’s transfer to Bristol City, Northern Ireland Under 21 striker McQuoid has certainly made the most of his opportunity.

Midfielder Marvin Bartley might have done the spadework by robbing Joey Gudjonsson and surging forward, but it needed a composed finish, and McQuoid provided it with a curling right-foot effort from just outside the penalty area.

McQuoid almost claimed another on 35 minutes, when his close-range effort from Liam Feeney’s cross went wide, and Bournemouth were made to regret that missed chance as Town found their feet at the end of the half.

Lee Peltier’s cross led to a Jordan Rhodes shot which was pushed away by keeper Shwan Jalal, and from Roberts’ corner, Kay rose to head home his first goal of the season.

Town began the second half brightly, and went in front when Roberts sent Jalal the wrong way from the spot after being fouled by Bartley.

Things were looking up, and Lee came agonisingly close when his close-range shot hit the woodwork after Roberts had turned Lee Bradbury inside-out.

Bournemouth refused to bow down, and drew level when substitute Harry Arter’s deft flick was headed in by Pugh.

Town mounted a late push, with Novak forcing a smart save from Jalal with a shot on the turn before, in the fourth minute of time added on, Lee headed over from Peltier’s cross then had a volley held while claims for a second Town penalty were turned down when Jason Pearce threw himself in the way of another Novak shot.

Leyton Orient 1-2 TOWN Arfield, Rhodes. Attn: 3,918

SCOTT ARFIELD scored his first Town goal and Jordan Rhodes his fifth of the season as Lee Clark’s side came out tops in a game of tactical cat and mouse.

Dean Cox’s spectacular response less than 60 seconds after Rhodes’ deflected 78th-minute shot looped in made for a slightly nervy finale, but overall, the visitors were good value for their third League I win of the season and second away from home.

Opposite ends of the emotional spectrum meant neither right winger Anthony Pilkington, who had just become a father (to a boy) nor right-back Lee Peltier, who had suffered a family bereavement, were in East London.

Arfield, who took on Peltier’s defensive duties, and Graham Carey returned to the side after Under 21 duty with Scotland and the Republic of Ireland respectively.

And in came Carey’s fellow loanees Damien Johnson, for a first start in three, and Joe Garner, for a first in four.

It was an inspired selection, because Johnson and Garner proved key in negating the threat of Orient’s central midfield trio of Stephen Dawson, Adam Chambers and Matthew Spring.

It was testament to Clark’s containment policy that Orient, having been limited to only half-chances before the break, tried several different approaches after it.

Each time Town reshuffled as well, with Lee Novak, Jordan Rhodes and Joey Gudjonsson replacing Garner, Alan Lee and Carey between the 57th and 73rd minutes.

When Rhodes doubled the lead provided by Arfield’s well-taken third-minute strike, it looked like Town were home and hosed.

However, having made two fine saves from Scott McGleish, Alex Smithies, who was with the England Under 21s last midweek, had no chance of stopping Cox’s fiercely-struck first timer from Alex Revell’s lay-off.

Orient were obviously lifted, but Town were still able to hit the bar through Jamie McCombe’s header before they survived a late scare when skipper Peter Clarke cleared off the line from James Walker in time added on.

Town rightfully accepted the applause from their 603 fans in a 3,918 crowd, the lowest at a league game involving the Galpharm club since Walsall away last season.

Arfield must have been especially satisfied after a proud week in which he helped Scotland join England in the European Under 21 Championship qualifying play-offs before opening his goal account South of the border.

The former Falkirk man’s third minute goal was exquisite, lofted in from the edge of the area after Carey caught the

SEPTEMBER

League I, end of September

■ BOOM BOOM: Jamie McCombe hammers his second against Yeovil Orient defence unawares with a free-kick from the right.

Garner, having won the free-kick which provided the breakthrough, continued to stretch the home team while doing a fine marking job on Spring, and with Johnson and Antony Kay also putting the squeeze on the opposition and McCombe looking very solid at the back, Town looked the stronger side in the first half.

Lee tested Jamie Jones with a low shot which the keeper needed two attempts to smother then headed narrowly over from an Arfield cross while Revell had to react smartly to block Carey’s deflected 30-yard free-kick.

It was more even after the break when Gary Roberts had a low shot held and Arfield fired narrowly over from distance before McGleish looked on in anguish as his 72nd-minute shot was spectacularly tipped over by Smithies and his 76th-minute drive pushed away, although he was ruled offside in any case.

Then came Rhodes’ successful strike, which hit Ben Chorley en route to the net, giving Jones little chance.

Orient looked sunk until Cox's sizzling strike kept the interest level high right up to the not-so-bitter end

TOWN 4-2 Yeovil Town Arfield, McCombe (2), Roberts (pen). Attn: 11,222

STEP aside Thierry Henry – it was ‘va va boom’ as Town went top of League I with a thrilling comeback victory.

Jamie McCombe – the giant centre-back fans call Boom Boom – took centre stage with the first two-goal haul of his career.

This was Peterborough away in reverse, as Town went two down (within the first 14 minutes) before hitting back in stirring fashion.

Scott Arfield, with his second goal in as many games, started the recovery with a superb 49th-minute strike.

And Gary Roberts provided a crucial two-goal cushion with a 75th-minute penalty.

It was Town’s fourth reasonable spot-kick shout, and McCombe must have been sorely tempted to grab the ball and go for a hat trick.

Having powered home a trademark header from Graham Carey’s cross in the 66th minute to equalise, he’d shown his prowess with the boot by firing Town in front just two minutes later.

Carey’s upfield ball was headed on by the hard-working Lee Novak, handed his first start of the season, and McCombe, still on the edge of the Yeovil penalty area following an attack moments earlier, turned his marker and fired a right-foot shot across Stephen Henderson and into the keeper’s right-hand corner.

While it was a day to remember for McCombe, who now has three goals for the season and 28 in his career, it was a debut to forget for his former Bristol City teammate Henderson, brought in on an emergency loan from Ashton Gate because of an injury to regular stopper John Sullivan.

Yet everything had started so well for Yeovil – and poorly for Town, who had Arfield at right-back, the returning Lee Peltier at left-back and Damien Johnson and Antony Kay in central midfield.

Dean Bowditch took ruthless advantage when Craig Alcock’s cross skimmed off the head of Carey by swivelling to drill home a ninth-minute shot, then Owain Tudur-Jones doubled the West Country team’s advantage by hooking home at the far post as Gavin Williams delivered a free-kick from the left following Arfield’s foul on Andy Welsh.

Town were looking shaky, and skipper Peter Clarke

repeated his fifth-minute feat of robbing Bowditch with a crucial penalty-area challenge to prevent the former Ipswich man making it three in the 27th minute.

By that stage, Peltier had switched to his more natural right-sided defensive berth, with Carey dropping to left-back, Arfield moving upfield and Roberts taking on a more roving midfield role, and Town were making far more of an impression towards the end of the first half.

Boss Lee Clark replaced Kay with Joey Gudjonsson at the start of the second half, and Town had soon pulled a goal back.

Yeovil failed to clear Roberts’ free-kick from the left and Arfield, having seen a goalbound effort hit Alan Lee rather than the net in the first half, picked his spot with a sweet right-foot shot.

Lee twice came close to a first Town goal as the screw was turned. First, after Arfield crossed following a neat one-two with Novak, he was foiled by keeper Henderson, then the former Crystal Palace man headed Roberts’ 62nd-minute cross against the bar, with the busy Damien Johnson firing over from the rebound.

There were also three reasonable penalty claims, for handball by Adam Virgo and fouls on Clarke and Johnson by Nathan Smith and Luke Ayling respectively, and fans were still debating them when McCombe headed the equaliser.

The hopes of Yeovil and their loyal 165 travelling fans were clearly crumbling and Town fans were on their feet once again after McCombe’s classy finish put the home side ahead.

Tyne and Wear referee David Foster finally pointed to the penalty spot after substitute Ayling was ruled to have handled after Arfield headed on a Peltier throw-in.

And Roberts made no mistake from 12 yards out, his second successful penalty (after that against Bournemouth) and third goal of the season.

Swindon Town 1-0 TOWN Attn: 8,652

THIS proved an expensive trip as Town lost the game as well as playmaking pair Gary Roberts and Scott Arfield.

Sean Morrison settled it in the last-minute of normal time with a powerful header from Alan Sheehan’s corner which beat stretching Alex Smithies’ desperate attempt to save.

It was tough on both the keeper and his teammates, who had mounted a sterling effort to keep the hosts at bay – and looked like they had succeeded.

Both sides were going for a third straight win, but neither found top gear in a scrappy contest which Roberts will remember for the wrong reasons.

While the prognosis on calf injury victim Arfield, injured in the same phase of play, is more hopeful, Roberts is set for a spell on the sidelines with a broken arm.

As referee Steve Tanner waved play on after Arfield was brought down in the 13th minute, Jonathan Douglas steamed in on Roberts, who landed awkwardly.

Town players were far from happy with the tackle which led to Roberts leaving the pitch on a stretcher, but Douglas wasn’t shown a yellow card.

While Anthony Pilkington came off the bench, Arfield, who also received treatment, carried on until the break, with Antony Kay emerging for the second half.

The changes certainly didn’t help Town, who had spurned a top chance to take a seventh-minute lead.

Roberts was quickly onto the ball when keeper David Lucas’s throw out failed to find right-back Kevin Amankwaah.

7

Alan Lee stepped over the low cross to tee up Jordan Rhodes, but the five-goal top scorer – restored to the starting side after two games on the bench – was unable to beat Lucas, who saved with his legs.

Douglas was unable to capitalise on slick Swindon build-up play in the 37th minute, driving wide from fellow former Leeds man Sheehan’s pass.

Amankwaah shot over after McCombe blocked Morrison’s header two minutes later.

Then, in first-half stoppage time, Smithies tipped over a powerful 25-yard drive by Sheehan.

Togolese striker Thomas Dossevi was just off target in the first minute of the second half.

Then he had a shot blocked by McCombe in the 60th minute, when Joey Gudjonsson dealt with Vincent Pericard’s follow-up effort.

Meanwhile Douglas’s 67th-minute foul on Graham Carey provided Pilkington with a free-kick chance, his well-struck effort being pushed over the top by Lucas.

Pericard was off target when Morrison’s long throw had Town scrambling in the 80th minute.

And Swindon did get the ball in the net in the 82nd, but Jon-Paul McGovern’s deflected shot was rightly ruled out for Pericard’s push on Smithies.

Peter Clarke then came to the rescue as Dossevi tried his luck with an overhead kick, but despite his best efforts Smithies couldn’t prevent Morrison’s header hitting his left-hand corner.

There was still time for Town to come close to an equaliser, with Lucas pawing clear McCombe’s header from a Gudjonsson free-kick..

Rochdale 3-0 TOWN Attn: 6,121

TOWN went down to a dramatic defeat, but the scoreline failed to reflect the pattern of a rousing Roses showdown.

Trailing to Jason Kennedy’s early goal, Lee Clark’s side were pushing furiously for an equaliser, only to be sunk by late strikes from Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Chris O’Grady.

It was tough on Town , who made three changes to the side which started Saturday’s game at Swindon.

Left-back Liam Ridehalgh, winger Anthony Pilkington and striker Joe Garner came in for broken-arm victim Gary Roberts, Joey Gudjonsson and Alan Lee. Scott Arfield passed a fitness test on the calf injury he picked up at Swindon and took up a central midfield berth.

It was high tempo end-to-end football all the way through the first half, with Garner denied by keeper Josh Lillis’s brave dive before Kennedy struck with Rochdale’s first attack in the sixth minute.

Brian Barry-Murphy swung in a free-kick from the left which was flicked on for the midfielder to fire home from six yards out.

Town, urged on by more than 3,000 travelling fans who created a great atmosphere, responded strongly.

Graham Carey and Garner combined to set up former Rochdale loan man Jordan Rhodes, but Josh Thompson’s challenge snuffed out the danger.

Then Carey shot wide before Peter Clarke’s flick-on just evaded the stretching Garner in the 25th minute.

Centre-back Marcus Holness did well to block when Carey powered in a shot from Lee Peltier’s long throw.

And Arfield, running from deep, was only just off target with a low drive from the edge of the area.

Rochdale replied with a long-range Kennedy effort which flew wide, and the goalscorer’s 35th-minute attempt from 20 yards out was well held by Alex Smithies, who was being watched by Football Association scout Joe Corrigan.

Pilkington was seeing plenty of the ball, but after a sharp run down the right in the 44th minute, his shot was well off target.

Meanwhile Smithies had to be alert to block at the near post when Joe Thompson broke through in first-half stoppage time.

Town made the running at the start of the second half, with Rhodes and Carey shooting over before the latter came close with a rising 54th-minute shot. But there was relief on 55 minutes, when Matt Done went down under Jamie McCombe’s challenge, only for referee Grant Hegley, a replacement for Phil Gibbs, to wave play on.

Town boss Lee Clark replaced Rhodes with Lee Novak after 61 minutes, and the Geordie came close with his first touch, a close-range header which went just over.

Gary Jones powered a header from Done’s cross just wide in a rare Rochdale attack on the hour, but Town were relentless, and Damien Johnson was left shaking his head when his goalbound shot from Pilkington’s cross was blocked in the 67th minute.

Jones again came close in the 72nd minute with a deflected shot from a partially-cleared corner.

Rochdale scrambled to clear Lee Peltier’s teasing 85th-minute cross, but the tension was soon transferred to the opposite end.

Novak cleared Jones’ header off the line but in the 88th minute, Town’s goal was breached as Frenchman Akpa Akpro, just on as a substitute, broke clear and produced a sweet finish from just inside the area.

As Town pushed for an instant response, Rochdale took ruthless advantage when O’Grady pushed the ball past Smithies and drove home.

SUPPLYING TIMBER TO THE TRADE & GENERAL PUBLIC SINCE 1936 FREEPHONE 0808 155 2652

01484 422759

THINK WOOD - THINK WALKERS SPINKFIELD ROAD, BIRKBY, HUDDERSFIELD HD2 2AY www.walker-timber.co.uk

We specialise in: ]z l} i}fwd gv i l ordw~ wl rlu ] wl w x lwod _l~ iewoord ] zwcfgdcd l~ rccrlud ] {eggaw~ \w prlu _l~ jowwfwed ] xo lw~ l~ j `l irn wed ] jtwwc z cwer od

] ogge ^g e~d h jprecrlu ^g e~d ] \ ~g k rod| _e trce awd _l~ ^w ~rlud ] yg` jcg prlu [begfw l x lwod ] y rod j ew`d _l~ rccrlud ] xo dcwe g e~ l~ zb t| zb t zgew

8

Thursday June2, 2011

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

TOWN 0-1 Bristol Rovers Attn: 10,641

TALK about the one that got away!

For this to have ended as a draw would have been frustrating, so losing was a real hammer blow.

Will Hoskins’ curling shot in the fourth and final minute of time added on put the tin lid on a tough eight days.

Town, of course, went down to a late goal at Swindon before losing 3-0 at Rochdale in a match they dominated.

Then, on home turf on Saturday, a stack of good Town chances came and went before Jamie McCombe’s 89th-minute sending off for a second bookable offence.

Hoskins, held back by the big centre-half as he pushed through on goal, took advantage in inspired fashion with a step-over and a sweetly-struck effort which gave keeper Alex Smithies no chance.

It could all have been so different, and while it would be unfair to suggest it was one-way traffic, Town certainly had the lion’s share of possession, and opportunities.

Joe Garner’s second-minute header from Graham Carey’s free-kick which went just wide was the first of at least 15 chances and set the tone for what was to follow as Rovers stood firm through a combination of home profligacy and their own committed defending.

Jordan Rhodes and Carey got into great positions but were unable to convert, Town’s five-goal top scorer shooting too high after McCombe’s 10th-minute header was blocked and on-loan Celtic man Carey crashing a 55th-minute volley from Anthony Pilkington’s cross wide.

In between, Garner’s goalbound shot was deflected for a corner, Damien Johnson was just wide from McCombe’s nod-on, Rhodes had a drive blocked by Sawyer and fired off target from a cross by Pilkington, who then saw his effort blocked by Carl Regan before his low shot in first-half stoppage time was held by Danish goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen, on loan from Reading.

If anything, Town exerted more sustained pressure in the second half.

Home supporters were still reflecting on Carey’s miss when Rovers somehow kept out Peter Clarke’s header from a Carey corner.

Then, the busy Byron blocked Scott Arfield’s 62nd-minute shot before heading away Carey’s follow-up, while Andersen reacted smartly to save when Clarke powered in a header from a Lee Peltier centre.

The stopper was back in the action when he palmed away a header by Alan Lee, brought on along with Lee Novak in a double substitution on 51 minutes, when Rhodes and Garner made way.

Then, in the 82nd minute, Town had a decent penalty shout turned down by Lancashire referee Karl Evans when Johnson tumbled in a challenge from Danny Coles.

It all went pear-shaped from there as Chris Lines, had a shot tipped away by Smithies before McCombe, already cautioned for fouling his former Bristol City teammate John Akinde in the first half, was red carded.

There could be no real argument because Hoskins was clearly impeded as he tried to break clear.Former Rotherham midfielder Hoskins had already tested Smithies with a 51st-minute shot, and his fifth goal of the campaign left Town and their supporters stunned

Colchester United 0-3 TOWN Novak, Pilkington, Rhodes. Attn: 4,211

★

SCORES ON THE DOORS 5/5 Excellent

OCTOBER

TOWN 1-0 Walsall

■ STRIKE: Anthony Pilkington nets against Southampton

Pilkington. Attn: 11,038

But he was powerless to prevent Pilkington’s effort counting in the 42nd minute.

Lee Peltier’s throw-in was flicked on and Pilkington played a neat one-two with Novak, whose pass was perfectly weighted for the former Stockport player to slide the ball home.

Town, chasing a first clean sheet since the goalless home draw with Tranmere on August 14, must have been expecting home pressure at the start of the second half.

Skipper Peter Clarke, partnered in central defence by Antony Kay for the second match running, made a vital block to thwart on-loan Reading man Mooney, while Vincent failed to make the most of Kem Izzet’s inviting 63rd-minute cross, heading straight at Bennett.

Meanwhile the 67th-minute introduction of the busy Joe Garner added zest to the attack, and his interception of Tom Williams’ pass towards Paul Reid set up Rhodes, who sent a low shot across Williams and into his right-hand corner.

The loss of Croft, already booked for handball then shown a second yellow for an 80th-minute mistimed tackle, couldn’t de-rail Town

TOWN 2-0 Southampton Pilkington, Gudjonsson. Attn: 13,273

TOWN produced a near-perfect away performance to ruin Colchester’s unbeaten League I record.

The only blot was the late dismissal of Lee Croft, whose one-match ban, to be served when Southampton make their eagerly-awaited visit to the Galpharm on Saturday, comes with a question mark over the fitness of fellow wideman Anthony Pilkington.

The 22-year-old was forced off early in the second half with a hamstring niggle having made a big impact with his fifth goal of the campaign.

Town also lost Lee Novak, who scored his first of the season in the 34th minute to set Town on their way.

Wincing after taking a knee in the lower back in an early challenge, he lasted until the 59th minute, when he made way for Jordan Rhodes, Town’s top scorer, who cemented the victory with his sixth of the season in the 78th minute.

All three goals were well crafted and well taken, and came after Lee Clark’s side had a clear penalty turned down by Bedfordshire referee Pat Miller, Ashley Vincent shovelling Novak’s 17th-minute shot off the line with an obvious handball.

Town channelled their frustration at that decision positively, and having come through an early spell of home pressure unscathed, with keeper Ian Bennett making a vital block in a one-on-one with David Perkins, took a real grip on proceedings.

Despite that sore back, Novak, making only his third start of the term, was a real bundle of energy, and home striker David Mooney’s loose pass was the perfect invitation for him to pick up possession, stride forward and slot a low shot past keeper Ben Williams from 25 yards out.

It was Town’s first goal in four league games, and the players’ celebratory charge towards the visitors’ dug-out sent out a strong message of club unity.

Williams, who had earlier done well to prevent an own goal by centre-back Magnus Okuonghae, needed two attempts to gather Graham Carey’s 38th-minute free-kick.

eal R Thelava!

F

changes to that beaten 2-0 at Notts County .

Carey had already tested Button with a free-kick 30 yards out, while Joey Gudjonsson was only just over with a drive from even longer distance, and other than a run of three successive corners, little had been seen of Peter Reid’s side before Wright-Phillips struck.

Lifted by their equaliser, Town pushed forward, and quick-thinking Peter Clarke freed Pilkington with a swiftly-taken free-kick, only for the goalscorer to rush his shot, while Novak, set up by Lee Peltier, held off Reda Johnson’s challenge but put his effort over the bar.

At the other end, Bennett did well to collect an awkwardly looping header by Craig Noone before holding a low shot by Conor Clifford, brought in on loan from Chelsea on Friday afternoon.

Recalled Scott Arfield’s 42nd-minute shot, which followed good approach work by Gudjonsson and League I, end of October Novak, didn’t have the power to seriously trouble Button.

Then the robust Fallon did have the ball in the back of the net, only for his header to be disallowed for a foul on Bennett.

It was the same story in the 54th minute, with the cheers of the home supporters cut short after Fallon was ruled to have fouled Antony Kay before heading home.

But Town couldn’t be saved when Wright-Phillips raced onto Fallon’s flick-on from Button’s drop kick, got past Kay and slid home a low shot.

As Town pressed forward, it took a brave save

by Bennett to prevent Wright-Phillips chalking up a hat trick while at the other end, substitute Joe Garner produced a goalbound shot from Clarke’s nod-on, only for Button to get down low to ensure Plymouth claimed the points.

ANTHONY PILKINGTON and Joey Gudjonsson produced the sweetest of strikes to seal a hugely satisfying win.

Those two clinical finishes, in the sixth and 45th minutes, and a sheer willingness to work, ensured it was Town who prevailed in the contest of two teams chasing a third consecutive victory – and keen to play football.

A Southampton side unbeaten in five outings and on the up under former Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins were repeatedly closed down as Lee Clark’s side impressed off the ball as well as on it.

There were just two moments of worry for home fans, in the 36th minute, when Damien Johnson cleared off the line from Rickie Lambert, and the first minute of the second half, when Lee Peltier blocked Guily do Prado’s shot.

And even the delay in which Holme Valley-based fourth official Jason Tyas took over as assistant referee because Mark Sutton was feeling unwell and which led to 11 minutes of time being added on failed to de-rail Town’s determined drive towards another three-point haul.

Clark named the same starting XI for the second game running and his players really hit the ground running.

Pilkington brought a fine one-handed save from Kelvin Davis with a fifth-minute free-kick following Jose Fonte’s foul on Novak.

But there was nothing the long-serving former Sunderland stopper could do to prevent Town going ahead a minute later.

Davis was rooted to his spot as first Gudjonsson crashed a shot against the right-hand post, then Pilkington fired home first time from the rebound.

It was a superb finish from the winger, his sixth goal of the season and fourth in three games.

And it really lifted both Town and their supporters.

Davis had to be alert to block from Kay before the visitors, whose only previous effort had been a Fonte shot pushed away by Ian Bennett, finally bared their teeth.

Good work down the left by the tricky Adam Lallana set up Lambert, but Johnson was on hand to divert his first header before Bennett punched clear from the follow-up.

Town were soon back on the attack, and Peter Clarke shot narrowly wide from a Carey free-kick before Peltier and Pilkington combined to set up Lee, whose low effort was held by Davis.

Town were worth another goal, and it duly arrived when Clarke’s challenge ensured Carey’s free-kick was cleared only as far as the edge of the box, where the lurking Gudjonsson rifled a low shot into Davis’s left-hand corner to register his first Town goal.

Saints must have been deflated, but they pushed forward at the start of the second half, and Town were relieved when Peltier threw himself in the way of lively Brazilian do Prado’s effort.

Lambert’s 57th-minute header from Jason Puncheon’s cross was calmly held by Bennett, but chances at either end were rare as a series of disruptions robbed the match of momentum.

Peltier and Pilkington were both brought off after feeling niggly injuries while Saints lost their five-goal top scorer Lambert with concussion.

The change of assistant referee – former Thongsbridge cricketer Tyas was given a warm round of applause by fans of his hometown club as he picked up the flag – means everyone had to stay a little later than usual.

But full marks to Town for maintaining their concentration for a second clean sheet in a row.

Plymouth Argyle 2-1 TOWN Pilkington. Attn: 7,048

TOWN came unstuck as Plymouth took the Devon Expressway to victory.

Two well-taken goals by Bradley Wright-Phillips, the former Manchester City and England junior striker who is trying to get his career back on track in this far-flung Football League outpost, were enough to condemn Town to a first defeat in four matches.

Both came the direct way, with New Zealand’s World Cup striker Rory Fallon flicking on booming kicks from on-loan Tottenham goalkeeper David Button for Wright-Phillips to shoot past Ian Bennett, who has been unbeaten in the previous two games.

And the second, in the 66th minute, was enough to send Town and their 597 fans back up the A38 on their 310-mile return journey hoping for a bounce-back win at home to struggling Walsall on Saturday.

There was one moment for manager Lee Clark and the travelling faithful to enjoy in the form of Anthony Pilkington’s fifth goal in four games and seventh of the season.

It came in the 19th minute, two after Wright-Phillips had put Plymouth ahead, and completed a neat move begun by left-back Liam Ridehalgh’s throw-in.

Alan Lee flicked it on to fellow frontman Lee Novak, whose pass found Graham Carey in space.

The Celtic loanee headed for the byline before pulling back an inviting cross which Pilkington lashed into the roof of the net.

It was the perfect response to Wright-Phillips’ opener, angled home after ex-Barnsley man Fallon rose to nod on a free-kick launched forward by Button, and reflected a positive start by Town against a home team showing six

✁

2 Lrg Pizza’s ( 12 inch) £5 part of ali & sons group

IN-FORM Anthony Pilkington fired another spectacular goal as Town overcame the early dismissal of Alan Lee to chalk up the win which put them second in League I. The former Stockport man struck his sixth goal in five games and eighth of the season in the 35th minute – 11 after Lee was shown a straight red card for putting an arm in the face of Walsall centre-back Manny Smith.

Pilkington heads to Hillsborough for tomorrow’s big derby against Sheffield Wednesday aiming to equal Pawel Abbott’s feat of scoring in six consecutive games at the start of the 2005-06 campaign.

And his prowess both inside and outside the penalty area – for this was another long-range strike – could come in particularly useful as Lee Clark deals with a striker shortage.

Lee’s three-match suspension after his straight red card comes with Lee Novak ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring tear.

And it seems on-loan Joe Garner won’t be allowed to play in Saturday’s FA Cup first-round tie at Cambridge under the terms of the deal with Nottingham Forest.

Boss Clark has confirmed he could seek another loan signing, but in the aftermath of his side’s seventh league win of the season, he was happy with a job well done.

The remaining 10 players, as well as substitutes Scott Arfield and Garner, when they came on for Graham Carey and Jordan Rhodes respectively, put in a real shift to limit Walsall to just a handful of chances, and register a fifth clean sheet in all competitions.

Town’s resilience was summed up in the 58th minute, when captain Peter Clarke threw himself in the way of Aaron Lescott’s drive.

Walsall’s ambition at kick-off seemed to be to contain Town and try and nick a goal on the counter, with Lescott the holding midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 system.

Lee’s sending off – while referee Steve Rushton made some bemusing decisions, there was no argument with this one – changed the complexion of the match.

But Walsall still seemed to be working out how best to try and use their numerical superiority when Pilkington fired Town ahead.

Taking possession on the right, he cut inside and let fly from 30 yards, the left-foot shot beating Walsall’s newly-signed former Tottenham keeper James Walker and nestling in his left-hand corner.

Walsall’s only efforts were from distance, with former Town loanee Steve Jones shooting wide and ex-Barnsley man John Macken bringing a smart save from Ian Bennett, who had another fine game.

And while Lescott stung Bennett’s fingers five minutes into the second half, it took the Midlanders until the final 20 minutes to put together any kind of concerted pressure.

By that stage West Brom loanee Reuben Reid was providing more muscle up front, and he looped a header onto the roof of the net before getting in a prodding shot, from Richard Taundry’s long throw, which the seasoned Bennett was equal to.

Walsall widemen Jones and Julian Gray were pushing up behind front two Reid and fellow substitute Alex Nicholls, but Town were in no mood to let their lead slip.

Full-backs Lee Peltier and Liam Ridehalgh both turned away dangerous-looking crosses while Garner, having brought a save from Walker with a header from Johnson’s 70th-minute cross, underlined that this was a really solid team effort by heading clear an awkwardly in-swinging corner from Jones at the opposite end.

✁

1 Piece Chicken & Chips £1

1 coupon per person • valid until 5/6/11

The cleanliness and standard of facilities in the premises were excellent and the Environmental Health Officer was very impressed by the food safety management system in operation.

The manager has ensured all food handling staff have received formal food safety training and their knowledge was excellent.We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, prepared the best possible way all cooked in vegetable oil. Always have amazing offers to compliment our food.

187 Manchester Road, Huddersfield, HD1 3JG

01484 421112

Open 7 Days 11am - 11pm.

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011 Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 TOWN Carey, Pilkington. Attn: 20,540

ANTHONY PILKINGTON struck again to leave Town fans singing in the rain.

The man with the goal-den touch netted for the sixth successive game as Lee Clark’s side savoured a sweet derby success.

A first-half double did the trick in South Yorkshire, where Graham Carey fired Town ahead direct from a free-kick before Pilkington made it seven in six outings and nine for the season.

It was a scoreline which had home fans in a 20,540 crowd streaming for the exits well before the final whistle.

Town, playing only their fifth league game at Hillsborough in 50 years, made one change in the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Walsall.

With Alan Lee starting a three-match ban after his red card in that game, on-loan Nottingham Forest striker Joe Garner came in.

Boss Lee Clark named new loan signing, 17-year-old Arsenal frontman Benik Afobe, on the bench.

Wednesday, aiming to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at Charlton, had skipper and central defender Darren Purse back after suspension.

The game kicked off in testing conditions, with Town making a busy start.

Garner’s seventh-minute run down the left was halted by Purse, but the ball broke to Joey Gudjonsson, whose 20-yard shot had pace but passed just the wrong side of the far post.

Wednesday responded by carving out two decent chances in three minutes.

First ex-Bradford winger Jermaine Johnson’s shot took a deflection of Gudjonsson and flew narrowly off target, then Chris Sedgwick headed over from Lewis Buxton’s deep cross from the right.

But just as the home team appeared to be taking a grip, Town struck with 22 minutes gone.

Purse brought down Garner 20 yards out, earning a yellow card, and Carey stepped up to curl the free-kick past keeper Nicky Weaver, bringing Town’s travelling army of fans behind the posts to their feet.

It was the on-loan Celtic man’s third goal for the club.

Johnson was proving to be a tricky opponent down the right, winning a long throw hurled in by Daniel Jones which Town keeper Ian Bennett punched clear.

Then, on the half hour, the veteran keeper had to be smart to parry Johnson’s low drive.

Jones put a long-range free-kick narrowly wide minutes later, but the Owls were rocked when Pilkington put Town two up in the 34th minute.

The influential Gudjonsson began the breakaway move with an interception and a neat pass to Rhodes, who broke down the left to the edge of the Wednesday area.

The move was carried on by Garner and Carey with the ball breaking to Pilkington 20 yards out.

The former Stockport man is playing with real confidence after his recent goal glut.

And the ball was destined for the net as soon as it left his boot, with Weaver well beaten.

The home fans were growing distinctly restless and Town were eager to exploit the situation, with Carey driving across the face of goal before Rhodes came close with an angled shot.

Wednesday manager Alan Irvine made two changes at the break, bringing on Clinton Morrison and James O’Connor, and Town were made to work hard in the opening phase of the second half.

Johnson lashed a low drive wide while Damien Johnson made a timely block to thwart Neil Mellor as Town defended stoutly.

Afobe was handed his first taste of senior football as a 64th-minute replacement for Garner, and was quickly involved, making a series of darting runs.

Wednesday were still pushing hard for a way back into the game, and Mellor came close with a well-struck 77th-minute effort.

At the other end, Afobe latched onto a long ball and created space for a shot, only for Purse to get in a crucial block, while Pilkington tested Weaver with a well-struck long ranger.

Oldham Athletic 1-0 TOWN Attn: 7,723

TOO MANY uncharacteristic mistakes left Town kicking themselves.

Quite simply, the crispness of thought and deed which normally galvanises Lee Clark’s side into a potent attacking force rarely bubbled through.

Much of that was down to Oldham’s pressurising of the man in possession and – despite Town’s much-improved efforts towards the end of the match – Paul Dickov’s side needed only one goal to preserve their unbeaten league record at Boundary Park.

It came in the 24th minute from burly Sunderland loan striker Oumare Tounkara – a wrecking ball of a human being who fed off Town’s insecurities in the first half and provided a ready outlet for his busy midfield.

That 24th minute showed how fine the dividing line can be between gaining some reward and going home empty handed in a division which is ludicrously tight.

NOVEMBER ■ QUALITY: Damien Johnson in action against Sheffield Wednesday League I, end of November

9

On-loan Arsenal man Benik Afobe, brought on for Rhodes after 74 minutes (Alan Lee had replaced Joey Gudjonsson for the second half) won a number of corners, but Exeter stood firm while in the 85th minute, Pilkington’s well-struck shot was blocked.

Jamie McCombe, on for Antony Kay after 83 minutes, was pushed forward as Town continued to attack.

And a minute into stoppage time, it looked as though the pressure had paid off as Arfield delivered a swerving shot which left Krysiak clawing at thin air – but it thudded high against the keeper’s left-hand upright.

Peltier’s shot from the rebound was blocked before the grateful keeper held Afobe’s header, enabling Exeter to milk the applause of their travelling fans after three minutes of time added on.

Now Town will try to rekindle the kind of form which brought them a scintillating win at Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month when MK Dons, beaten 4-1 by the Owls on Saturday, come to the Galpharm tomorrow.

TOWN 4-1 MK Dons Kay, Roberts, Rhodes (2). Attn: 9,563

Firstly Town should have taken the lead, Anthony Pilkington and Jordan Rhodes creating the space for Graham Carey to take aim from 12 yards, but he dragged his shot across the face of goal and agonisingly wide of the target.

Town’s brilliant following of 3,665 – who had earlier seen penalty appeals waved away when Peter Clarke was seemingly felled in the box – had barely had time to retake their seats when Oldham were carving their way quickly to the other end.

Dean Furman sensed Town were vulnerable as colleagues gave him options on both sides, but he played Tounkara straight down the middle with a pass of destructive accuracy.

Town keeper Ian Bennett – who had earlier made a brilliant double save to deny Furman and Chris Taylor, and who played superbly throughout – was unlucky not to block the powerful frontman in full flow.

But the ricochet from the challenge fell kindly for Tounkara, who was able to pass the ball into an unguarded net.

It was a simple goal for Town to concede – only 50 seconds between Carey’s chance and theirs – and Oldham were visibly lifted by going ahead.

Suddenly Furman, the excellent Portuguese Felipe Morais and the pacy Cedric Evina – a colleague of Benik Afobe in the Arsenal youth team – were all over Joey Gudjonsson and Damien Johnson in the centre of the park and Town were shaken.

Only a magnificent last-gasp tackle by Johnson in the six-yard box prevented Kieran Lee extending the lead, before Bennett grabbed a Morais free-kick and then pounced to make a breathtaking one-handed stop from Tounkara’s angled drive as Oldham broke through again.

Dale Stephens and Evina also went close as Town, battling all the way to plug the gaps, created problems for themselves by giving the ball away far too easily when they had possession.

Decent supply to the frontmen became just about non-existent as Oldham eagerly maintained their stranglehold on midfield, and Town’s cause wasn’t helped when Anthony Pilkington made an early exit due to injury – even though replacement Scott Arfield did a sound job on the right.

Something needed to change and Clark sent on big Alan Lee to give Town more physical presence up front and, perhaps, to hold the ball and create more time for his teammates to find their attacking rhythm.

Clark was furious when Town started sloppily once again, however, having a lucky let-off as Taylor wasted a glorious chance when unmarked, but the match then started to even out.

Arfield raised hopes with a nice run and cross which Lee headed just wide and, when Gary Roberts joined the mix for Carey with 25 minutes left, Oldham found themselves under more pressure than at any other time in the game.

Town continued to make errors, as emphasised by Clarke’s over-hit free-kick straight to keeper Dean Brill, and they still had to rely on Bennett for having a sniff of an equaliser – the experienced No1 making a wonderful stop from Evina before Johnson cleared off the line from the unmarked Jean-Yves M’Voto from the resulting corner.

Town refused to give up the ghost with Roberts, Lee and Afobe all causing problems for the home defence, but the 78th-minute effort which Afobe tried to place past Brill from the edge of the box was the only shot they managed

on target in the entire 90 minutes.

That’s not a statistic you very often encounter with Town, whose brightness and verve in attack is one of their stand-out qualities, but this was not one of their better days at the office.

A first defeat in five in all competitions was hard to stomach, especially as Town knew they had fallen below the standards which had taken them to second in the League I table, but it came against a very useful Oldham side who did their job well.

They rarely allowed Town’s midfield to click or the full-backs to support, they pounced on the errors which their pressure helped to force and it wasn’t until the final quarter that their defence experienced any extended spells of pressure.

So a few bookmarks for Town with a third of the season gone, the first to get straight back to their best tomorrow night.

TOWN 0-1 Exeter City Attn: 11,097

FRUSTRATION was the name of the game as Town suffered a second successive League I loss.

Jordan Rhodes headed against the bar before Exeter scored while Scott Arfield hit a post at the end of a second half which was one-way traffic.

But in the cold light of day that will count for nothing, with the record books simply showing an away win sealed by Richard Duffy’s 36th-minute header.

The defender lost his marker Anthony Pilkington to convert Ryan Harley’s corner from just outside the six-yard box.

It looked like Exeter had doubled that lead six minutes later, when Troy Archibald-Henville, another of the three centre-backs fielded by Paul Tisdale, nodded home from another Harley flag kick.

But this time referee Nigel Miller disallowed the goal for a raised arm on Peter Clarke.

There were question marks against the quality of some of Town’s passing, while on the occasions neat build-up play set up opportunities, the finish wasn’t forthcoming.

Anthony Pilkington buzzed about and showed some neat touches in a roaming frontline role, but couldn’t make a firm impression, while Graham Carey, playing at left-back, delivered some inviting crosses.

Rhodes got on the end of two of them, putting the ball over the bar in the 16th minute before seeing another header in the 28th beat athletic Polish keeper Artur Krysiak but bounce back off the bar.

The former Birmingham stopper was equal to Carey’s well-struck low effort in the 49th minute, with the tone being set for the remainder of the game.

Rhodes pounced on right-back Steve Tully’s misplaced header, but from an acute angle, shot wide.

Then, in the 55th minute, Pilkington’s hooked volley was deflected narrowly wide of Krysiak’s right-hand post.

Arfield, set up by Carey, had a long-range effort saved before Arfield and Rhodes created a chance which Pilkington put over the top.

Pilkington then tried to turn provider, but his 69th-minute cross was plucked from the air by the stretching Krysiak with Town men lurking.

TOWN were desperate for victory and duly delivered to get their League I challenge back on track.

Jordan Rhodes returned to the top of the club goal charts by taking his season’s haul to 10 with a second-half double after Antony Kay and Gary Roberts provided a two-goal half-time tonic.

It meant misery for MK Dons, who suffered a second successive 4-1 defeat after losing to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

But it must have brought a smile to the face of former favourite Frank Worthington, who celebrated his 62nd birthday by watching from the stand.

Lee Clark rung the changes, with Alex Smithies, Jamie McCombe and Joe Garner all coming in and Ian Bennett, Lee Peltier and Joey Gudjonsson missing out.

Right-back Peltier wasn’t even in the squad, suggesting an injury.

It was keeper Smithies’ first start in 12 matches and McCombe’s first in the league since he was sent off against Bristol Rovers on October 2.

For on-loan Garner, who was being watched by his Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies, it was a first start in six and a second in 12.

MK, aiming to bounce back from successive defeats, had six-goal top scorer Sam Baldock absent (knee).

Town, with Scott Arfield at right-back and Kay restored to central midfield after a string of outings at centre-back, made a solid start.

It took a good block tackle by centre-back Sean O’Hanlon to thwart Rhodes as he shot in the third minute.

Then MK keeper David Martin’s hurried clearance let in Roberts in the sixth minute, his rising shot going over.

The visitors had made few inroads, but stretched Town from a 14th-minute corner delivered by Peter Leven and fired goalwards by Danny Woodards, Smithies and Arfield combining to keep the ball out.

Town were still the dominant force, however, and Rhodes ran onto Garner’s clever flick and outpaced O’Hanlon to put in a fine 17th-minute centre for Anthony Pilkington to test Martin with a diving header.

Town fans rose in expectation when Pilkington cut in from the right in the 23rd minute, but his shot was too high.

They were soon celebrating though, as Pilkington’s cross took a deflection off Mathias Doumbe into the path of Kay, who took his time and picked his spot to register his second goal of the season.

Town were good value for a lead which was doubled within another 12 minutes.

Pilkington was again involved, flighting in a corner from the Town left which Garner met at the far post, heading the ball on for Roberts to nod home his fifth of the campaign from close range.

Town had a scare in the 42nd minute when McCombe’s foul on Jabo Ibehre earned him a yellow card and set up a 20-yard free-kick from which Leven hit the side netting.

And the big defender was left walking a tightrope when another foul on Ibehre a minute later brought a verbal warning from referee David Webb.

A parade of Town’s stars of the seventies, including Worthington, at half-time had the fans applauding, and the old boys were barely back in their seats when the current side went three up.

The busy Pilkington made it a hat trick of assists by pulling the ball back from the right for Rhodes to swivel and fire into the roof of the net.

Rhodes had the scent of goal firmly in his nostrils, and having been denied by keeper Martin’s block in the 54th minute, he then brought a smart save from the keeper with a header from Roberts’ cross.

MK manager Karl Robinson responded with a double substitution, and one of them, Aaron Wilbraham, provided his side with a vestige of hope by scoring with his first touch in the 57th minute, beating Smithies with a firm low shot from Lewis Guy’s cross.

Town, in turn, brought on Benik Afobe and Liam Ridehalgh for Garner and Roberts, pushing Carey, who had started at left-back, further upfield.

And in the 66th minute Arsenal loanee Afobe broke from halfway to shoot against Martin’s right-hand post, with the rebound falling neatly for the supporting Rhodes to slot his second of the game and 10th of the term..

10

Thursday June2, 2011

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

TOWN 2-1 Brighton Rhodes, McCombe. Attn: 12,573

JAMIE McCOMBE enjoyed another goalden moment to leave Town supporters jumping for joy.

Every time the big defender has scored, his side have won, and this hard-fought triumph over the League I leaders was one of the best victories of the season to date.

After all, the Seagulls had lost just twice previously, and must have fancied their chances after Glenn Murray, having had a first-half penalty saved by the excellent Alex Smithies, put them ahead nine minutes after the restart.

Town, however, conjured a quick response, with top scorer Jordan Rhodes heading his 12th goal of the campaign.

Then, in the 84th minute, another Gary Roberts free-kick had Brighton scrambling and when Joey Gudjonsson’s shot was deflected into the air, McCombe pounced.

As Danish keeper Casper Ankergren, who never had the best of times at the Galpharm when he came with Leeds, fished the ball out of the net for the second time, McCombe savoured his fifth goal in Town colours.

It took some stout defending to seal a third successive Town win, with Smithies punching Elliott Bennett’s dangerous-looking cross clear then saving Gordon Greer’s header.

And Brighton’s frustration spilled over as players squared up to each other in a series if mini skirmishes after the final whistle.

But staff from both clubs were quick to step in and shepherd their players off the pitch.

This always looked likely to be a tight affair, and after Town had bossed the opening exchanges, forcing four corners in the first four minutes, Gus Poyet’s side were able to show their attacking prowess, with Murray and Bennett linking neatly.

On-loan West Brom striker Chris Wood drove a low shot wide under pressure from Peter Clarke, then volleyed Liam Bridcutt’s floated free-kick onto the roof of the net, before McCombe served warning of his aerial power with a 20th-minute header which Ankergren held low.

Marcos Painter then had a shot blocked, and while Murray brought a fine save from Smithies only to be pulled up for being offside, Brighton’s attacking intentions were clear.

There were howls of protest from the home faithful when referee Andy Haines waved away penalty claims after Joe Garner went down under Adam El-Abd’s challenge.

And to rub salt in the wounds, the Tyne and Wear whistler then pointed to the spot after Murray tumbled as Clarke tackled in the 36th minute.

Town’s skipper, handed a fifth yellow card of the season which means he is suspended at Tranmere in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tomorrow, was adamant he played the ball.

And he’ll feel justice was served by Smithies, who dived to his right to smother Murray’s spot kick.

It was a third successive penalty miss by Brighton, Wood and Bennett having failed from the spot previously, and their fifth of the campaign.

Kay couldn’t find a finish when Ankergren spilled Garner’s angled effort into his path in first-half stoppage time.

And after Wood’s shot was blocked by Clarke and Murray’s effort saved by Smithies early in the second half, Brighton made the breakthrough.

The lively Bennett delivered the ball into the box and Murray beat Lee Peltier’s desperate sliding challenge to steer the ball home.

Full marks to Town for responding so convincingly, with Rhodes powering the ball home after Roberts first won a free-kick wide on the left, then sent in a teasing cross.

The introduction of Benik Afobe for Garner (Gudjonsson and Liam Ridehalgh had already replaced injured pair Damien Johnson and Graham Carey) provided fresh impetus.

And Town’s persistence finally paid off as McCombe proved to be in the right place at the right time.

DECEMBER

In the end it was a victory for Wadsworth’s astute tactics, which earned his side a third consecutive away win in League I, but if Town had just had a cutting edge it would have been a different matter.

Southampton 4-1 TOWN Novak Attn: 24,483

TOWN could have been two up by the time Lee Novak gave them the lead – but ended up tasting misery at St Mary’s for the second season running.

TOWN could have been two up by the time Lee Novak gave them the lead – but ended up tasting misery at St Mary’s for the second season running.

Two goals in five minutes through Rickie Lambert and Alex Chamberlain meant Southampton were in front by the break.

And Radhi Jaidi’s header seven minutes into the second half, after Gary Roberts gave away a needless free-kick, put the side who put five without reply past Town last season firmly in the driving seat.

Substitute Richard Chaplow’s 72nd-minute effort was the icing on the Christmas cake for home fans.

But for Town boss Lee Clark and the club’s supporters – and full marks to the 901 who travelled through the fog to the South coast – it’s been a distinctly lean festive period so far.

After the 1-0 home defeat by League I, end of December Hartlepool on Boxing Day, Clark, without flu victim Jamie McCombe, saw out the old year by fielding a new-look central midfield and strikeforce.

Tom Clarke, fit again after knee surgery, came in for a first ■ LETHAL: Jordan Rhodes opens the scoring against Brighton appearance since last season’s at the Galpharm Stadium play-offs.

He figured alongside versatile Scott giving up possession with a string of the way he set his side up to combat the strengths of his Arfield, alleviated of right-back misplaced passes and players being caught former club and for central defender Sam Collins, who duties by the return from suspension on the ball. started his career with Town, it was a true captain’s of Lee Peltier.

Town still created openings with Rhodes’ performance as he marshalled his troops to perfection.

And up front, Novak made his first glancing shot from a Roberts cross going The visitors were also aided by the stunning display from start since damaging a hamstring at close, but Hartlepool were sensing they 19-year-old keeper Jake Kean.

Plymouth in mid-October, partnering could pose the home side problems purely On-loan from Premier League Blackburn, Kean showed Alan Lee. by forcing the game and getting into his top-flight class with a string of good stops and as And the big Irishman came Town’s faces.

Town piled on the pressure in the last quarter hour he agonisingly close to a first Town goal They had already started to look denied Benik Afobe, Scott Arfield and Gary Roberts as when he shaved the far post with a dangerous – Antony Sweeney and Leon they had the best of Town’s opportunities. header from Anthony Pilkington’s But for Town it was another story of frustration seemingly McSweeney both forcing saves from keeper deep cross from the right 10 minutes Alex Smithies – before they got their noses getting the better of them. in front. in.

They started brightly enough with Jordan Rhodes The game’s solitary goal arrived on 42 minutes and was a Three minutes later, even the Saints almost playing in strike partner Joe Garner classic piece of prospering from forced errors. fans in a 24,483 crowd couldn’t believe after three minutes and, within seconds, a Town initially lost possession then failed to win it it when Scott Arfield failed to hit an foul on Gary Roberts led to Graham Carey back and when Evan Horwood managed to free open target after being teed up by Novak. curling a free kick over the Hartlepool bar. himself from the cover, he traded passes with Andy All seemed well with the world when the Geordie struck But perhaps the telling moment came on Monkhouse to get in behind Town’s defence and his in the 16th minute.

14 minutes when an excellent move down ball across the face of goal was powered home by the right saw Anthony Pilkington His second goal of the season arrived courtesy of a McSweeney. exchange passes with the overlapping close-range header as Roberts crossed from Clarke’s So Hartlepool went into the interval buzzing, while Arfield and he pushed the perfect pass quickly-taken free-kick following a foul by Jaidi on Lee. Town were left to look at a shortish list of half that allowed Pilkington to dance through Town’s fans were in full voice, Saints’ stunned, yet the chances that they had failed to convert. on goal, only to see Kean make a great home side had shown what kind of threat they could The second half was to see Town’s frustration grow. save at the near post. pose.

Their first foray of the second period perhaps summed That pretty much wiped Adam Lallana’s fifth-minute volley had beaten Alex things up as Roberts attempted to prise an opening all the gloss off Town’s Smithies’s dive only for Antony Kay to head clear. and, having wriggled his way into the box went sparkling start and And Smithies had made two smart saves, first from down, but referee Michael Naylor waved away steadily they started Lambert’s close-range header, then Lallana’s shot. the pleas which were at best half-hearted.

A failed curling effort from Rhodes What a disappointment that Town failed to pick up heralded a change from boss Clark as Lambert’s run as he met Dan Harding’s throw-in from he pushed on Novak for Joey the left on the corner of the penalty area and fizzed in a Gudjonsson on 68 minutes and went 28th-minute equaliser with a shot to which Smithies got to a three-man defence as he loaded his fingertips but couldn’t keep out. the top end of the team in an It was to get worse as well. attempt to pull at least a goal back – Dean Hammond picked up possession in the kind of having already switched Afobe for midfield area which Damien Johnson made his own and Joe Garner. set up Chamberlain.

Still the chances would not come The highly-rated 17-year-old who is reportedly being despite Afobe’s eager running – tracked by a string of Premier League clubs showed some the best of his openings seeing nifty footwork to create space for himself and slot a low Kean quick off his line to block 32nd-minute shot to the left of the despairing Smithies. a shot at the striker’s feet.

TOWN 0-1 Hartlepool United Town were struggling to regain their shape, and Lallana In contrast Hartlepool looked Attn: 14,813 almost made it three in the 39th minute when he curled a ever dangerous on the break ■ YES: Jamie shot against the bar from Guly Do Prado’s pass. and McSweeney was denied a McCombe IF TOWN’S last home performance of 2010 left an It was encouraging that Town got to the break without second goal as his low shot celebrates impression on their fans it was that they lack bite. from a breakaway beat Smithies further concession, but hopes of a fightback were In fact there is an old song that goes ‘All I want for scoring the only to come out off the foot of severely hampered when Roberts brought down Christmas is my two front teeth’ – Town certainly needed winner against a post.

Chamberlain, earning a booking and yielding the some teeth up front.

Then came the biggest let-off for Brighton free-kick which Lallana delivered for experienced For a side who held the whip-hand in terms of possession, Town as Sweeney led a raid down Tunisian international Jaidi to convert from close range. they created few chances and it was their patient visitors the right and his cross seemed Hammond brought further saves from Smithies either who made their attacks tell when they broke out. certain to be turned in by side of a fifth booking of the season for Kay which That does not necessarily translate to saying that Town’s unmarked substitute Armann means he is suspended for Saturday’s trip to Carlisle. strikers were poor, in fact manager Lee Clark tried to Bjornsson at the back post, but Then on-loan Preston midfielder Chaplow rubbed salt remedy their ills by throwing on Lee Novak and Alan Lee somehow he contrived to lift the ball into Town’s wounds by combining neatly with Do Prado to end the game with four strikers on the field, but the over the bar when faced with an before drilling a low shot into Smithies’ left-hand corner. service into the danger areas was never crisp or decisive open net two yards out.

It meant the final scoreline was tough on Town, who enough to be turned into clear cut chances.

Town had one last attempt to break have to regroup between now and Brunton Park in a bid Admittedly the Hartlepool side has to take some credit for the Hartlepool defence but, with time to get their League I campaign back on track by that. rapidly running away from them, Kean again rediscovering the winning touch – and keeping it.

For their manager Mick Wadsworth it was a victory for produced heroics to beat out Arfield’s drive and then somehow win the race to recover the loose ball.

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011 Carlisle United 2-2 TOWN P Clarke, Arfield. Attn: 5,904

CARLISLE’S late onslaught proved just too much for Town to withstand as hopes of starting 2011 with a morale-boosting victory were dashed.

Lee Clark’s side looked well set for a three-point haul after substitute Scott Arfield added to Peter Clarke’s first-half strike with a well-taken 63rd-minute goal.

But Carlisle boss Greg Abbott made an inspired change when replacing Leeds loanee Mike Grella with Francois Zoko after 57 minutes.

The Ivorian pulled a goal back with a 71st-minute header, setting the stage for James Chester, the on loan Manchester United defender, to force home an 82nd-minute equaliser from ex-Town man James Berrett’s corner.

A point each was probably fair but Town will be disappointed to have let slip a two-goal advantage, and what would have been a first win in three league games.

Still struggling with the effects of the flu bug which has swept through the camp, Clark made five changes to the side which lost at Southampton.

Out went the suspended Antony Kay, Graham Carey, Arfield, Gary Roberts and Anthony Pilkington, with top scorer Jordan Rhodes remaining on the bench and Jamie McCombe ruled out after a fitness test.

In came Nathan Clarke, for a first appearance of the season, Liam Ridehalgh, Joey Gudjonsson, debutant Hull loanee Kevin Kilbane and Benik Afobe, as well as a 4-3-3 system.

Kilbane lined up alongside Tom Clarke and Gudjonsson in midfield, with Afobe joining Alan Lee and Lee Novak in attack, and Town began brightly, with Tom Clarke and Gudjonsson both forcing smart saves from Adam Collin in the fourth minute.

Town were good value for their lead, with Lee hooking a shot off target and Novak having a shot blocked before Peter Clarke chalked up his first goal of the campaign in the 24th minute.

Berrett’s foul on Afobe yielded a free-kick which Gudjonsson fired in for Novak to head goalwards.

His effort was cleared, but the Geordie striker regathered the ball and crossed for Clarke to shoot home.

Carlisle, who claimed Clarke was offside, hit back, and Grella had a shot blocked by Kilbane before Ben Marshall, their on-loan Stoke midfielder, cut in from the right and drilled a shot against an upright.

Town were back on the attack at the start of the second half, and Novak’s effort was blocked by Paul Thirlwell before Collin reacted smartly to cut out Lee as the frontman shaped to shoot.

Carlisle right-back Frank Simek’s angled 56th-minute shot was only inches wide, while Town fans were on their feet in the 61st minute, when Gudjonsson’s corner fell neatly for Nathan Clarke, who shot against the bar.

Two minutes later, they were celebrating after Arfield, on as a 58th-minute replacement for Lee as Town switched to a midfield diamond, notched his fourth Town goal.

Ridehalgh linked neatly with Kilbane before sending in a cross which Afobe dummied for Novak to tee up Arfield, who bent his shot home from 16 yards out.

Carlisle certainly weren’t finished, however, and after Zoko’s close-range headed goal from Simek’s cross lifted the home faithful, Alex Smithies produced top saves from Berrett and Madine before Chester pounced to power home a header.

Town might have snatched it in the final minute, when Rhodes and Novak combined to set up Arfield, but the Scotsman’s shot was too high.

TOWN 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday Pilkington. Attn: 14,900

ANTHONY PILKINGTON settled a hard-fought tussle of the Tykes with a corker of a goal as Town collected a sweet derby double.

Sheffield Wednesday should have known better than to allow the wideman space to cut in from the flank.

For Pilkington plundered a beauty in Town’s 2-0 win at Hillsborough in November, and struck again in the 27th minute of the Galpharm return.

The 22-year-old took full advantage of right-back Lee Peltier’s clever overlapping decoy run to carve out a shooting position 25 yards out.

And the ball looked destined for keeper Nicky Weaver’s top right-hand corner as soon as it left Pilkington’s left boot.

That’s 11 for the season, and this was a crucial win as Lee Clark’s side built on the point taken up at Carlisle.

They had to show both sides of their game, playing some slick football in the first half before toughing it out in the second, when Clinton Morrison rightly had a goal disallowed.

The former Crystal Palace man found the net with a well-struck 49th-minute volley, but was flagged for offside.

Morrison had earlier escaped a strong-looking Town penalty appeal, with Gary Roberts’ corner appearing to strike his hand before he hacked the ball clear.

A busy opening period set the tone for a game which if not a classic, produced plenty of drama for the Sky cameras.

Wednesday hit a post through big defender Mark Beevers in the sixth minute, while Pilkington served notice of his shooting intentions two minutes later.

Weaver did well to deflect the effort for a corner, and the

JANUARY

■ SKIPPER: Peter Clarke scores against Plymouth at home man coached by Jordan Rhodes’ dad Andy also produced a top save in the 23rd minute.

Jermaine Johnson’s foul on Roberts provided Pilkington with the opportunity to deliver a free-kick onto the head of Lee Novak, with Weaver deflecting the ball one-handed.

His opposite number Alex Smithies had been brave in racing out to block off Neil Mellor as he ran onto Tommy Spurr’s upfield ball in the 14th minute.

And after Pilkington put Town in front, the keeper played a big role in protecting the lead, tipping over Tommy Miller’s fiercely-struck 29th-minute free-kick.

Smithies again did well to thwart Mellor as he broke through in the 32nd minute, and got down well to block the former Liverpool man’s 39th-minute drive.

Town were giving as good as they got, though, and Weaver used his legs to divert Peltier’s low effort before Scott Arfield and Kevin Kilbane both shot narrowly wide.

Morrison’s ruled-out effort came as Wednesday started the second period well, with Smithies saving from James O’Connor before Peter Clarke headed clear Gary Teale’s free-kick.

But the Owls’ attacking efforts petered out, although Mellor caused panic in the 74th minute, when he took advantage of an awkwardly bouncing kick-out from Weaver, only to shoot over from a promising position just inside the penalty area.

Town had their chances to extend the lead, with top scorer Rhodes seeing a shot deflected off target in the 60th minute before Kilbane drove wide.

Then, in the 75th minute, Novak, Pilkington and Arfield all had shots blocked in quick succession.

Arfield again tried his luck after substitute Alan Lee’s run created space in the 82nd minute, but Weaver saved.

TOWN 3-2 Plymouth Argyle Amason OG, Rhodes, P Clarke. Attn: 8,379

TOWN netted twice in the first eight minutes to clinch a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup – and disappoint the rest of the nation.

Boss Lee Clark accepted in the build-up that everyone outside Huddersfield wanted the Conference South side to win.

But it never looked on the cards after Scott Arfield and Gary Roberts struck in the space of 60 seconds.

It wasn’t Dover and out for the non-leaguers, because they stuck to their game plan and produced a battling performance of which they and their vociferous 1,535 travelling fans can be proud.

And they came close midway through the first half, when Roberts produced a spectacular goal line clearance to deny defender Olly Schulz, and late on, when Alex Smithies saved from Adam Birchall, who had scored in every previous cup round for Dover.

Lee Novak, making his fourth successive start in a side unchanged from the one which saw off Sheffield Wednesday, had a key role in both goals.

He could easily have gone for his third goal of the season after breaking through on goal, but spotting Arfield in a great position, unselfishly squared the ball for the Scotsman to sidefoot his fifth of the campaign from close range.

Less than 60 seconds later, Town were two up after a move which originated in a neat piece of work by

off all supagard protection packs when purchased with a vehichle

Town’s height advantage in most areas of the pitch was causing the West Midlanders problems, and McCombe hardly had to jump to head home Anthony Pilkington’s 24th-minute corner to put his side 2-1 ahead.

McCombe, back in the starting XI for the first time in six games, had shown some deft footwork to win the flag kick in the first place, and his sixth goal of the season lifted Town and shook a Walsall side desperate for a win in Dean Smith’s first home match as caretaker manager following the exit of ex-Town player Chris Hutchings.

Jon Macken brought a smart save from Alex Smithies with a 33rd-minute header from a cross by the tricky Julian Gray, but otherwise, Town were on top, with Lee Novak mis-kicking when in a good position in the 26th minute and Kay shooting narrowly wide after another Kilbane run in the 36th.

It all changed in the second half as Walsall levelled just 90 seconds in, Matt Richards firing home direct from a 20-yard free-kick.

That sparked a spell of home pressure during which Gray shot over, Butler headed too high from a corner and Richards had a shot blocked by Kilbane before being denied by Smithies from another free-kick.

Town had looked dangerous on the counter, with Scott Arfield racing through in the 52nd minute only to drive a shot over and Pilkington testing Bevan in the 55th.

Having started with a 4-3-3 set-up, Pilkington, Alan Lee and Novak playing up front, Town switched to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Rhodes for Lee in the 68th minute.

And as the game began to swing back towards the visitors, Clarke struck with a sweet overhead kick, his 76th-minute effort from a Gary Roberts corner which was deflected into his path bringing delight to Town’s highly vociferous 898 fans behind that goal.

It was the skipper’s second goal in as many League I, end of January games and now the whole side were flying, with Rhodes shooting over before settling the game in the third minute of time added on after keeper Bevan gifted possession to Roberts.

The winger darted past Darryl Westlake with Pilkington unselfishly stepping over the cross to allow Rhodes to pick his spot and seal the points.

Anthony Pilkington, who won a header just inside the Dover half and brought the ball down skilfully to play in Novak which a slick pass.

The Geordie frontman romped forward to put in a teasing cross which just evaded the touch of Jordan Rhodes but fell perfectly to Roberts, who lashed home an angled shot to make it seven goals this time around.

It was a dire start as far as Dover were concerned, but they kept calm and showed they could be a threat during a succession of three corners, starting in the 22nd minute.

Peter Clarke headed the first away, then made a key challenge as Schulz met the second. When the busy Harry Baker delivered the third, centre-back Schulz met it with a forceful header, but Roberts, guarding Town’s right-hand post, leapt to kick the ball clear.

Kevin Kilbane had a low shot blocked while Arfield was off target with a 36th-minute drive as Town pushed for a third.

Then, in the 59th minute, Rhodes’ header was deflected off target before Roberts watched in frustration as a well-struck shot was saved.

There was more to come from Flitney, saving from Kilbane, Lee, Pilkington and a glancing Novak header.

Walsall 2-4 TOWN Kilbane, MCombe, P Clarke, Rhodes. Attn: 3,827

FANS of the glass half-full persuasion will say it’s good that Town are winning games without playing at their best.

The half-empties will claim that after doing it against Plymouth and now Walsall, it probably can’t carry on.

But one thing is undisputed.

Lee Clark’s side have won three on the spin in League I, and four in all competitions, and are back in the automatic promotion places.

Only Brighton, a side they deservedly beat at the Galpharm in mid-December, have more points.

Sure, the sides around them have games in hand, but that doesn’t always translate into points.

And while Town certainly need to tighten up defensively, they have an in-form striker in Jordan Rhodes, who made it 16 for the season with Saturday’s stoppage-time clincher.

And they are scoring goals from a variety of positions, with centre-backs Jamie McCombe and Peter Clarke both weighing in after Kevin Kilbane notched his first for Town at the Banks’s Stadium.

That came in the 19th minute, five after the home side had capped a busy start by going ahead through Alex Nicholls, who slotted home Will Grigg’s pass from just inside the penalty box.

Kilbane, on loan from Hull, looks a class act, and as soon as he pounced on a slip-up by former Town defender Andy Butler just inside the home half, Walsall looked in trouble.

The Republic of Ireland ace swept past Manny Smith, drew keeper David Bevan and shot home on the angle to provide the perfect response to Nicholls’ effort.

CELEBRATING OUR 1st BIRTHDAY Quality used cars at competitive prices Come down today and see for yourself!

11

TOWN 0-0 Colchester United Attn: 10,785

TOWN were left to wonder ‘what if ?’ as Colchester put up the shutters on an afternoon of frustration at the ’Pharm.

What if Jamie McCombe’s header, Lee Novak’s shot or Joey Gudjonsson’s free-kick had gone in?

What if top scorer Jordan Rhodes hadn’t gone off with an ankle injury which may keep him out for a month?

And what if former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Williams hadn’t been in such inspired form?

Town needed Ian Bennett to make two late saves from substitute Kayode Odejayi to preserve a point.

But a Colchester win would have been harsh in the extreme after a game Town dominated.

The stats show 15 Town efforts on target to Colchester’s three, eight to three off target and 15 corners to two.

And that reflects the pattern of play as Town pressed forward but just couldn’t find a way past the well-organised Essex side.

This certainly wasn’t Lee Clark’s side at their fluent best, but it was a big improvement on Carlisle.

The manager made three changes from Brunton Park, bringing in Alan Lee, Gary Roberts and Gudjonsson with Tom Clarke, Antony Kay and Novak on the bench.

Kevin Kilbane was switched to left-back as Town, tentative early on, came close in the 21st minute when McCombe met Anthony Pilkington’s free-kick with a firm header, only for Williams to dive low to his left and collect.

McCombe was busy at the opposite end eight minutes later, doing well to dispossess David Mooney as the on-loan Reading frontman seized on a slip by Peter Clarke.

But Town were by far the more dominant, and Clarke headed over from Pilkington’s corner before Rhodes was denied by Williams after being set up by Lee Peltier.

Rhodes had an even better chance in the 37th minute, but in firing Clarke’s flick from another Peltier cross over the bar, he twisted an ankle and was taken back to the changing room on a stretcher, with Novak going on.

The Geordie looked in the mood to seize his opportunity, and came agonisingly close in the 53rd minute from a move he started with a pass to Lee, who in turn fed Roberts.

The winger’s ball in from the left was inviting, and Novak’s low drive left Williams for once floundering – but passed just the wrong side of the right-hand post.

Kilbane headed too high from Pilkington’s 66th-minute corner, Clarke’s 70th-minute header was blocked then, in the 76th minute, Gudjonsson whipped in an angled free-kick from just outside the area which Williams did well to punch over.

By then, Colchester boss John Ward had introduced Odejayi, an FA Cup hero for Barnsley against Chelsea.

The powerful Nigerian headed over from Mooney’s 73rd-minute cross, and as Town pushed forward for the winner, exploited space to twice come close to a winner.

But Bennett bravely blocked at Odejayi’s feet in the first minute of time added on then, in the third, stuck out a hand to divert a well-placed header.

Tel: 01484 430 001 Mob: 07775 422179 www.spccars.co.uk 47a Colne Road, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 3AY

12

Thursday June2, 2011

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

TOWN 2-0 Carlisle United Roberts (2). Attn: 8,452

GARY ROBERTS got back on the goal trail with tow goals as Town collected three very welcome points.

While Ian Bennett made three good saves just before his side went ahead, Town were good value for a fourth victory in five League I outings .

Lee Clark welcomed back Scotland international left-back Gary Naysmith for his first appearance since August - and only his fifth for the club - after toe surgery.

That allowed Kevin Kilbane, on his 34th birthday, to return to his more familiar midfield role. There was also a full home debut for right-back Jack Hunt,.

It was Town’s fourth meeting of the campaign with Carlisle, but the first at the Galpharm.

Town old boy James Berrett flashed a long-range shot wide before on-loan Manchester United left-back James Dudgeon’s long throw ended up in the Town net, only for ‘goal’ to be ruled out because no other player had touched the ball.

Anthony Pilkington, set up by Joey Gudjonsson, had Town’s first effort on target in the sixth minute, with keeper Adam Collin blocking his shot.

Former Newcastle man Collin was back in action in the 16th minute, parrying Jamie McCombe’s header from Pilkington’s corner.

And in the 21st minute, after Liam Cooper fouled Lee, who had just been booked for going in late on the on-loan Hull defender, Collin was equal to Roberts’ well-struck 25-yard free-kick, which beat the Carlisle wall but not their busy stopper.

Bennett hadn’t been unduly troubled, but had to come to his side’s rescue three times in two minutes as the half wore on.

First, in the 36th minute, Town’s keeper parried Michalik’s fiercely-struck 35-yard free-kick before denying Ivorian striker Francois Zoko, who was following up.

Then he got down low to thwart Zoko as he shot from Ben Marshall’s cross.

Town’s response was swift and clinical.

They grabbed the lead in the 39th minute, with Kilbane’s sweet pass putting Roberts into space.

Collin was beaten all ends up by the Town man’s cool finish, and in the final minute of the half, he was picking the ball from the back of the net again as Roberts, again set up by Kilbane, buried another left footer.

The 26-year-old had taken his season’s haul to nine, and he came agonisingly close to a quick-fire hat trick with a stoppage-time lob which ended up on the roof of the net.

Substitute Matty Robson was soon cautioned for a foul on Kilbane, and from the 62nd-minute free-kick Gudjonsson’s shot flew just over.

Exeter City 1-4 TOWN Cadamarteri, Roberts, Pilkington, Kilbane. Attn: 4,786

DANNY CADAMARTERI was the star turn on both Friday night and Saturday afternoon as Town enjoyed a highly productive trip to Devon.

Back at the Galpharm after his stint with Dundee United, the 31-year-old was put through the new boy’s initiation ceremony of singing to the rest of the players in the team hotel on the eve of the match.

But he let his feet do the talking at windy St James’ Park.

Brought off the bench for his second debut as a 53rd-minute replacement for Alan Lee, Cadamarteri scored the opener within two minutes, then had a hand in Town’s other three goals, scored by Gary Roberts, Anthony Pilkington and Kevin Kilbane, before Daniel Nardiello fired the home consolation two minutes into stoppage time.

“The lads have been brilliant since the moment I walked back through the door,” smiled Cadamarteri.

“I quite like a sing-song, so I treated them to a bit of Scottish culture with a song called Ally Bally.

“Scott Arfield and Gary Naysmith seemed to like it, although I’m not so sure about the rest of the boys, but at least it was something different.”

That just what Cadamarteri provides on the pitch. He’d had just one touch of the ball before pouncing as Jamie McCombe headed on keeper Ian Bennett’s free-kick.

A neat piece of control and a well-placed low shot later, the ball was nestling in the back of the net and Town’s 294 travelling fans in a 4,786 crowd were celebrating.

Home boss Paul Tisdale tried to stem the flow with a substitution and some reorganisation, but Exeter were prised open once again in the 67th minute.

This time Pilkington collected Peter Clarke’s header and skilfully flicked the ball past left-back Scott Golbourne.

Cadamarteri picked up his pass and threaded a cross to Roberts, who held off his marker and slotted his third goal in two games and 10th of the season.

Polish keeper Artur Krysiak was well beaten in the 81st minute as Cadamarteri collected a pass from fellow substitute Antony Kay and teed up Pilkington.

The wideman was clearly pulled down by Duffy, but with his teammates shouting for a penalty, managed to flick the ball home from six yards out for his 12th of the campaign.

Exeter, whose best second-half chance had come in the 71st minute, when Troy Archibald Henville was foiled by Clarke’s challenge as he shaped to shoot, were on the ropes.

And Kilbane took advantage with his second Town goal on 88 minutes.

In many ways, it was the best of the match, with Pilkington, Jack Hunt and Cadamarteri working wonders

FEBRUARY

■ LATE SHOW: Danny Cadamarteri celebrates at Bournemouth down the right to free the on-loan Hull man, who stroked the ball home from the edge of the box.

Nardiello, who along with midfielder Ryan Harley had tested Bennett in the first half, did manage to drill home a shot from Golbourne’s pass.

the starting side for the first time since his return to Town, with Alan Lee dropping to the bench.

Dagenham received a pre-match boost as they moved off the bottom of League I after crisis club Plymouth’s 10-point deduction was confirmed.

It was a battle between two veteran keepers, with 39-year-old Ian Bennett, a former Dagenham loan player, trying to outdo ex-Wales international Tony Roberts, 41.

Roberts was the first in action, saving Tom Clarke’s early long-range drive, but Dagenham responded strongly, and were denied a strong-looking penalty shout for handball

by Gudjonsson in the third minute.

But Town came close twice in as many minutes as Atkinson’s header was parried by keeper Roberts, with his Town namesake Gary firing over from the rebound, before Anthony Pilkington cut in from the right on a mazy run, only to see his low shot saved.

It was end-to-end action, and after the ball became wedged under Peter Clarke’s legs, Town had to deal with a League I, end of February 19th-minute drop ball on the edge of their own six-yard box, Gudjonsson managing to flick the ball to safety.

Atkinson was looking more than at home, and it was his diagonal pass to Pilkington which helped bring the corner which led to Town’s breakthrough goal in the 28th minute.

Roberts played the flag kick short to Gudjonsson, whose low ball into the box was flicked into the net by Tom Clarke.

Pilkington was also impressing, and such was his domination down the right, Dagenham replaced left-back Oluwafemi Ilesanmi with substitute Damien McCrory on the half hour.

Town came close nine minutes into the second half when Jack Hunt’s cross found Roberts, his volley hitting the base of the left-hand post.

And they were made the rue the miss when Dagenham equalised with a controversial 58th-minute penalty given against Peltier, Green making no mistake.

Clark’s men had a spot-kick claim of their own turned down when substitute Benik Afobe went down.

AFC Bournemouth 1-1 TOWN Cadamarteri. Attn: 7,923

DANNY CADAMARTERI came to the rescue as Town snatched a potentially priceless point.

TOWN 0-0 Oldham Athletic But keeper Ian Bennett was the real star on the South coast as Lee Clark’s promotion chasers preserved their Attn: 14,469 unbeaten League I record in 2011 and stayed within touching distance of their second-placed hosts.

REFEREE Andy Woolmer provided the main talking points of a Pennine derby high on intensity but short on The 39-year-old marked his 501st career match with a string of top saves. drama and genuine chances.

Marc Pugh – three times – and Rhoys Wiggins were The Northamptonshire official baffled the players, denied before Michael Symes, who was allowed far too managers and supporters of both sides with his much space in meeting Liam Feeney’s cross from the decisions, and was booed off both at half and full-time. right, finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute.

There were seven cautions, five of them for fouls, yet worse-looking tackles failed to merit even ‘a talking to’. Then, after substitute Cadamarteri slotted home his And credit to Alan Lee, who was on the end of some second goal since returning to Town with just a minute of hefty challenges and needed stitches in a head wound, normal time to go, Bennett foiled Anton Robinson and yet stuck to his task and never appeared to seek any Feeney to keep Town’s 758 travelling fans chanting. retribution.

They are now 16 games unbeaten against the Cherries, Controversial decisions aside, a draw was a fair outcome, whose last victory in this fixture was in January 1993. because both sides had spells in the ascendancy and the Boss Lee Bradbury must have thought the points were occasional opportunities to make a breakthrough. coming his way after former Bradford striker Symes, who Town had to take the sting out of Oldham’s early has the touch and physique to cause problems for most pressure, with defender Reuben Hazell heading wide sides, headed his third goal in as many games and seventh from Aidan White’s cross and on-loan Sunderland of the season from close range. striker Oumare Tounkara having a low angled shot held But Cadamarteri popped up in the nick of time, taking

by Ian Bennett, who marked his 500th career appearance full advantage of fellow substitute Benik Afobe’s clever with an eighth clean sheet in 18 outings for Lee Clark’s decoy run to meet Gary Roberts’ pass and ease past side.

But the home side gradually got a grip on the game, and centre-back Shaun Cooper before sliding a low angled shot past keeper Shwan Jalal, who got a hand to the ball a piercing 14th-minute run by Scott Arfield – in for the illness-hit Joey Gudjonsson – set up Gary Roberts, only but couldn’t prevent it nestling in his right-hand corner.

It was a massive lift for Town but a bitter blow to for the wideman to stub his shot.

Bournemouth, whose hopes of going level on points with Town skipper Peter Clarke made one of a string of key blocks to thwart Tounkara in the 19th minute, but Town leaders Brighton were ended when Bennett saved Robinson’s header then blocked Feeney’s shot with his responded strongly.

Lee Peltier, back in midfield, linked neatly with Anthony feet.

Pilkington, whose probing cross was hacked to safety.

Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 TOWN Then, in the 34th minute, Pilkington’s fierce set-piece strike after a foul by Tounkara on Peltier 20 yards out T Clarke. Attn: 2,336 was well saved by on-loan Manchester United keeper Ben Amos.

A DISPUTED second-half penalty and some desperate Lee headed wide from a Roberts corner before leaving late defending by Dagenham meant Town had to make do the field to have staples inserted into his cut head, before with a third successive draw.

McCombe headed over as Roberts sent another free-kick The returning Tom Clarke sparked hopes of victory on into the danger zone.

Town’s debut at the East London club with a first-half Hazell’s mistimed header back to Amos almost let in Lee opener. a minute after the restart, but the centre-back did well to But Danny Green levelled from the spot in the 58th recover with a key tackle. minute and Town’s efforts to restore their lead were Bennett was equal to Portuguese frontman Filipe repelled.

Morais’s effort from distance in the 51st minute while In the tight confines of Victoria Road – a homely ground Arfield blasted over the bar when McCombe chested which shows its non-league roots – Town were, as down the busy Clarke’s through ball in the 55th. expected, without Gary Naysmith because of the calf Boss Clark injected pace into his attack with the injury picked up in Saturday’s draw at Bournemouth. introduction of Danny Cadamarteri for the But boss Lee Clark was forced to deal with the late hard-working Lee, but it was Pilkington who came withdrawal of Jamie McCombe through illness, and with closest to beating the Latics defence. natural replacement Antony Kay starting a two-match Receiving the ball from Roberts, Pilkington worked the ban, chose to play versatile Lee Peltier at centre-back, ball onto his right foot and swung in a cross which hit with Kevin Kilbane on his left. the near post.It summed up the afternoon but it could In addition, there was a surprise full debut for 19-year-old have been worse, for Clarke made another crucial Chris Atkinson alongside Tom Clarke and Joey intervention in the 80th minute, this time to deny Gudjonsson in midfield, while Danny Cadamarteri made Morais.

TOWN 2-2 Leyton Orient

Rhodes, Novak. Attn: 11,273

TOWN supporters were celebrating within three minutes of kick-off – but ended squandering three points.

How did Lee Clark’s side go from being two up in the 49th minute to being held by a side who finished with 10 men?

Failure to take the chances is one reason, with both Lee Novak, scorer of the second goal, and Benik Afobe unable to find the necessary finish for a killer third goal.

Then came sloppy defending and the needless concession

by Jamie McCombe of a touchline free-kick which led to Orient’s 87th-minute leveller by Jimmy Smith.

By that stage, the Londoners were down to 10 men after Harry Kane, scorer of their first goal in the 73rd minute, had been red carded four later for a second bookable offence, his foul on Anthony Pilkington following a first-half caution for a late tackle on Peter Clarke.

So an afternoon which started with a sweet 17th goal of the season for Jordan Rhodes ended on a sour note.

Manager Clark responded to his shortage of options at left-back by announcing the loan signing of Sheffield United’s Stephen Jordan on the morning of the match and handing him an immediate debut.

But he had plenty of frontline options, even allowing for the late withdrawal of Danny Cadamarteri, who suffered a back spasm during the warm-up.

He chose to go with Rhodes, back after an ankle injury, and Afobe as Town reverted to 4-4-2 and the pair soon linked up to find a way through the Orient defence and get their side off to a flying start.

Lee Peltier, who was outstanding in midfield, won the ball off Orient’s Jonathan Tehoue before he freed Afobe, who was making his first start in 14 matches.

With Orient upset that the ball had hit referee Peter Quinn, Afobe unselfishly squared his pass to Rhodes, who fired past Jamie Jones.

Rhodes had another effort blocked by Tommy Carroll before the game lost a little of its rhythm as both sides were forced into early substitutions.

Kane went on for Stephen Dawson after the Orient skipper landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Peltier in the 20th minute while Scott Arfield replaced Gary Roberts, who had a tight hamstring, in the 29th.

While Orient twice put balls across the face of goal with nobody able to get a touch, Town went close through Rhodes, who had another shot blocked, Kevin Kilbane, who drove just over and Afobe, whose strike was blocked

by Terrell Forbes.

The second goal finally came four minutes after the break when Novak, on for the illness-hit Rhodes, flicked home Pilkington’s pass.

Novak’s 61st-minute shot from Kilbane’s pass went just wide while 10 minutes later, Afobe was denied by the combination of keeper Jones and centre-back Forbes as he tried to convert after McCombe headed Clarke’s high ball across the area.

Two minutes later, after Afobe yielded possession, Orient pulled a goal back, with Alex Revell passing to Alex Cox, whose centre was glanced in by Kane.

The visitors’ task became harder when Kane saw red, but the side unbeaten in 12 going into Saturday’s game still stretched that run after McCombe’s foul on Spurs loanee Paul-Jose M’Poku gave set-piece ace Cox the chance to swing the ball in for Smith to head home.

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011 Hartlepool United 0-1 TOWN Pilkington. Attn: 2,857

TOWN put their push for automatic promotion firmly back on track.

Not only did they gain revenge for the Boxing Day defeat at the Galpharm, but they closed the gap on second-placed Bournemouth with a performance that suggested they can make a strong challenge in the last 13 games of the season.

Anthony Pilkington sealed victory with his 14th goal of the season after just 12 minutes in what was a necessary show of strength after recent draws.

Boss Lee Clark opted for a 4-5-1 formation, but Town were looking fluent going forward and Gary Roberts and Pilkington, in particular, were very quick to support Lee Novak up front.

The team option looked a good one for the whole of the first period as Antony Kay and skipper Peter Clarke ensured the Hartlepool threat was closed out and keeper Ian Bennett had a surprisingly uneventful 45 minutes.

Town weren’t slow to create chances in attack and went ahead after 12 minutes when former Town defender Sam Collins failed to deal with a through ball and Pilkington pounced to fire in from 10 yards to close within two of leading scorer Jordan Rhodes.

It wasn’t long before Town were causing problems again with a Roberts raid on the left leading to a near-post delivery to Pilkington, who turned smartly but found his shot well smothered by Scott Flinders in the United goal..

Town had to be patient as they looked to open the home defence again and it wasn’t until the 33rd minute that they created another clear-cut chance, but Pilkington struggled to control a ball that bounced to him awkwardly and his shot was directly at Flinders.

On the stroke of half time, a clumsy challenge by Peter Hartley on Novak led to a free-kick in perfect range for Joey Gudjonsson, but the contrived free-kick routine ended with the Icelander firing wide.

Town started where they left off in the second half, with Novak the first to test the United defence with a header glanced just wide of the far post from a Roberts cross.

Skipper Clarke was next to go close as he saw a header turned away by Flinders and, from the resulting corner, another headed effort from the skipper was blocked by United’s massed defensive ranks.

Novak again looked to hit the target when he turned smartly on a ball forward from Scott Arfield, but the striker’s first-time effort faded just wide.

The home side worked their first clear-cut chance on 57 minutes when Adam Horwood fired in a free-kick which was deflected just wide of the target.

This effort was rapidly followed by an Andy Monkhouse attempt on goal and then Antony Sweeney was played in, but Clarke managed to block his first effort and Kay denied the second. Town got back into gear after 72 minutes, roared on by their following contingent of 564, when Arfield again led a breakout and Novak’s intelligent first-time ball gave Pilkington the opportunity to cut in from the right, but his angled shot was well dealt with.

The home side looked more dangerous in the closing minutes, but their best chance went begging when Leon McSweeney managed to turn quickly but pulled his shot wide from the edge of the box.

Yeovil Town 1-1 TOWN

Kay. Attn: 3,620

CAPTAIN Fantastic Peter Clarke produced one of the best defensive performances you could wish to see.

Not only did he inspire 10-man Town to fight back for an against-the-odds point at Huish Park, the 29-year-old centre-back oozed all the qualities of persistence, passion and precision which Town will need to turn their 13-match unbeaten league run since the turn of the year into a successful promotion push.

Clarke set the benchmark which enabled Lee Clark’s side to recover from Lee Peltier’s crazy 13th-minute red card and the 38th-minute strike by Andrew Williams which gave lively Yeovil plenty of hope.

The home side, with Dean Bowditch and Oli Johnson taking advantage of the extra space, looked capable of adding to their tally in the first half, even though Clark kept his most experienced players in midfield and maintained a regular back four (after right-back Peltier’s sending-off) by replacing the unlucky midfield starter Chris Atkinson with natural full-back Jack Hunt.

It was a different story in the second half, however, as Town – with pacy striker Benik Afobe on for hamstring injury victim Lee Novak – played with such fluency on a difficult cut-up surface .

That was particularly so after impressive centre-back Antony Kay had powered in his fourth goal of the season from an Anthony Pilkington corner after 58 minutes.

While he collected a 12th booking of the season for celebrating among the jubilant travelling contingent of around 250 Town fans – and later suffered a bloody head wound in a clash with sub Sam Williams which needed stitches – Kay instilled a massive amount of belief in a Town line-up which was already going the extra yard in adversity.

With the way Town responded to the manager’s half-time encouragement, it was a pity Peltier left his teammates in such a hole against his old club and on his 150th league appearance – smacking Bowditch full in the face with a flailing arm in full view of fourth official John Busby who, after consultation, confirmed referee Crossley’s initial suspicions.

TOWN 0-0 Swindon Town

MARCH

Attn: 11,764

League I, end of March

■ LAST GASP: Peter Clarke scores at Brentford It will take Peltier out of the equation for an extended spell – it’s his second red of the season after the Carling Cup dismissal against Everton – and the manager will hope he gets the same doggedness from the rest in these games to come as he did on Saturday.

TOWN 2-1 Rochdale Afobe, Roberts. Attn: 9,612

FIRST-HALF goals by Benik Afobe and Gary Roberts brought Town a valuable three-point derby haul.

Lee Clark’s men held off Rochdale’s late push after Gary Jones netted in time added on, and are now just a point behind second-placed Bournemouth, who were beaten 2-0 at Exeter.

But the victory came at a high price, with flair player Anthony Pilkington sustaining a suspected broken left ankle 13 minutes into the second period.

Town players looked distressed as their teammate was lifted onto a stretcher and treated on the pitch for five minutes, and it was a further three before he was manoeuvred to an ambulance.

Galpharm boss Clark had made four changes, with Alex Smithies back in place of injured keeper Ian Bennett for a first outing since mid-January. Right-back Jack Hunt and strikers Jordan Rhodes, once a Rochdale loan player, and Afobe were the others to come in.

They replaced Lee Peltier, starting a four-match suspension after his red card at Yeovil, Chris Atkinson and Lee Novak.

This was only the 16th ever league meeting between the teams and play-off chasing Rochdale came eager to bounce back from their 4-1 home loss to MK Dons, a first defeat in 12.

Boss Keith Hill gave a start to striker Liam Dickinson, on loan from Barnsley, while fellow former Town player, left-back Robbie Williams, was on the bench.

Town were knocking the ball around neatly and forced two corners in succession before Afobe struck for the breakthrough goal in the 25th minute.

Roberts did the groundwork with a good run and cross from the right and when Holness blocked Rhodes’ shot, Afobe followed up to shoot home his fourth Town goal and first in the league from just inside the area.

Rhodes was showing his value in defence as well as attack, twice clearing from corners, before Roberts, having provided the assist for the first goal, took centre stage as Town went two up eight minutes later.

The game understandable lost its pattern after Pilkington was injured.

Town, with Danny Cadamarteri on for Rhodes and Alan Lee replacing Pilkington, were trying to push forward, but Rochdale created the next clear-cut chance, when Jones’ 78th-minute shot was deflected for a corner.

Lee’s 83rd-minute run towards goal was stopped by Widdowson while a minute later, Afobe broke down the right and held off two challengers to unleash a shot which was well saved by Fon Williams.

Rochdale skipper Jones finally claimed a goal six minutes into the eight added on when Peter Clarke’s block rebounded into his path and he netted with a low drive which deflected in off the diving Smithies.

But the highly-rated keeper pulled off a fine save from substitute Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro’s header to deny Rochdale a share of the spoils and keep Town’s promotion push on course.

13

Bristol Rovers 0-1 TOWN Rhodes. Attn: 7,380

JORDAN RHODES made the most of an unexpected starting opportunity as Town dug deep to clinch a highly encouraging three-point haul.

Down on the teamsheet as a substitute, he was promoted to the starting XI after Gary Roberts withdrew after feeling ill during the warm-up.

And the 21-year-old top scorer, who signed a new contract through to 2015 on the eve of the match at the Memorial Ground, needed just five minutes to make it 18 goals for the season.

Rhodes might have had a hat trick, because he fired over an open goal from the rebound after Joey Gudjonsson hit a post seven minutes later, then had a 54th-minute penalty saved.

But there was no doubting the quality of his successful strike, slotted past keeper Conrad Logan with his less-favoured left foot after a neat nod-on by Benik Afobe.

And it proved enough to beat a Bristol Rovers side desperate to deliver on Stuart Campbell’s first home match as caretaker manager.

The West Country team will feel aggrieved after having two goals disallowed by stand-in referee Chris Powell during a frantic finale.

The Dorset-based assistant put down his flag and took up the whistle after Wiltshire official Brendan Malone came off injured in the 77th minute.

Malone’s willingness to let the game flow in the face of some crunching challenges hadn’t gone down well with the home fans in a 7,380 crowd, Rovers’ second-highest of the season.

But Powell was even less popular after chalking off James Tunnicliffe’s deflected long throw, for a foul on keeper Alex Smithies, and skipper Will Hoskins’ close-range shot, for offside.

Brentford 0-1 TOWN P Clarke. Attn: 4,402

PETER CLARKE crashed home a sizzling late winner to keep Town in League I’s automatic promotion zone.

Three minutes of stoppage time had just been signalled when the skipper, having headed on a Gary Roberts corner, made sure with a forceful shot after Brentford scrambled Danny Cadamarteri’s effort off the line.

It was a dramatic end to a tight game as Lee Clark’s side stayed above Peterborough, who won at Sheffield Wednesday, with a fourth win in five games.

Town, now unbeaten in 16 league matches, made one change to the side which started Saturday’s 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers.

Roberts, who missed the West Country clash through illness, returned at the expense of Cadamarteri, who was on the bench alongside Danny Ward, freshly signed on loan from Bolton, and left-back Gary Naysmith, fit again after a calf injury.

Brentford had also made changes, and Smithies did well to deny one of their substitutes, debutant Leicester loan striker Jeffrey Schlupp, from close range in the 81st minute.

But it was Town who were to make the breakthrough, which Clarke’s strike making the journey to the capital well worthwhile.

CLASSES AVAILABLE:

• Thai Boxing (Master Sken) • Boxfit (James Hare WBF champion) • Rugby 4 tots • Zumba class (Very popular)

TOWN couldn’t deliver a fourth consecutive win – but it wasn’t for the want of trying.

Lee Clark’s name goes alongside that of legendary manager Herbert Chapman in the record books after his side equalled the club’s best unbeaten league run in a single season of 17 games in 1924-25.

But the satisfaction would have been greater had any of a succession of close chances ended up in the net.

Town twice hit the woodwork, through Jordan Rhodes and Alan Lee, and had a Peter Clarke header cleared off the line.

And there was stoppage-time drama as both Clarke and Jamie McCombe claimed their efforts had crossed the line, only for referee Chris Sarginson to wave play on.

It all added up to an afternoon of frustration, and there will be some close checking of Ceefax tonight as Peterborough seek the win at MK Dons which would put them above Town and into second spot.

The positive is that Clark’s side looked pretty solid defensively, with the only real scare coming in the 49th minute, when Matt Ritchie shot against the right-hand post, with Gary Naysmith, back in the starting side, mopping up.

Alex Smithies also made a smart save from Alan Sheehan’s well-struck 57th-minute free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, awarded after Calvin Andrew went down under Naysmith’s challenge.

But Swindon, whose other efforts were mainly off target, certainly looked the more pleased with their point, which rewarded a stubborn show.

They were busy defensively from the third minute onwards, as Andy Frampton stretched frantically to clear a Jack Hunt cross before Peter Clarke’s header went narrowly wide.

Town had a top chance in the ninth minute, when Kevin Kilbane seized on Scott Cuthbert’s misplaced pass and freed Danny Ward.

The Bolton winger, making his full debut against the side he served with distinction in a loan spell last season, picked out Rhodes, whose diving header hit the bar and came back into play, with Scott Arfield putting the rebound over.

With five minutes extra, there was still time for Lucas to paw Clarke’s header from under his bar before David Prutton cleared from McCombe with Town’s appeals that both efforts were over turned down.

TOWN 3-0 Notts County Rhodes (2), Roberts. Attn: 11,162

JORDAN RHODES became Notts County’s tartan tormentor as Town turned on the style to give their League I promotion rivals, and the rest of the country, a signal of their top-two intentions.

Fresh from making his Scotland Under 21 debut, Rhodes struck either side of a Gary Roberts goal as the men from the East Midlands were taken apart in front of the Sky cameras.

It meant Lee Clark’s side set a new club record of 18 league games unbeaten in the same season.

It was a fourth win in five games, and fifth in seven for Town, who with Lee Peltier back after a four-match ban and Liam Ridehalgh making a first appearance in 17 games in place of the injured Gary Naysmith in the other full-back berth, started at an encouragingly high tempo.

The goal Town had been threatening all game finally arrived in the 36th minute and Benik Afobe was the architect, playing a slick one-two with Roberts before haring down the right.

It looked like the teenager would shoot himself, but with Edwards forcing him away from goal, he instead crossed to set up Rhodes for a headed finish.

Bennett saved when Westcarr fired in a 39th-minute free-kick after Jamie McCombe was judged to have fouled the County frontman.

But the first half finished with Town back on the attack, with Nelson parrying Rhodes’ long-distance drive, then saving from Joey Gudjonsson’s powerful free-kick following Chilvers’ bodycheck on Afobe.

Arsenal loan man Afobe was again foiled by Nelson’s legs as he latched onto Clarke’s pass to go in one-on-one with the keeper a minute after the restart.

Ward brought as good save from Nelson before shooting narrowly wide, but Town couldn’t be kept at bay for much longer.

Two goals in five minutes meant the scoreline was far more reflective of the pattern of play, with Roberts making it two in the 58th minute when he lifted Rhodes’ ball from the left over Nelson.

Rhodes volleyed his second and Town’s third from Afobe’s flicked pass, and when the same player again set him up in the 66th minute, he might have had a hat trick, but couldn’t get a clean connection.

While Afobe and Rhodes were given rousing ovations when substituted, this was a top all-round team effort.

• Large spacious free weight area • Large selection of CV equipment • Suppliers of supplements • Fitness room available • Wi Station • Fast tan sunbed

Opening hours: Wkdays 10-9pm, Wkends 10-2pm. Tel: 01484 846940 • www.huddersfieldthaiboxing.co.uk Unit 56 Colne Valley Business Park, Manchester Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QG

14

Thursday June2, 2011

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

APRIL

Tranmere Rovers 0-2 TOWN Afobe, Novak. Attn: 6,438

veteran keeper to thank for keeping the Londoners at bay in the 71st minute, when he dived to block from John Akinde after the on-loan Bristol City man had rolled a shot against the left-hand post.

With Town unable to get the third goal, it all got a bit nervy in the second half.

But that’s 23 League I games unbeaten, three wins in succession, nine from the last 12 matches and 83 points, just two less than QPR, who are closing in on the Championship title.

Town got off to a great start, with the opener down to the power and persistence of Afobe.

The on-loan Arsenal ace, whose family home is just down the road from Dagenham’s ground, latched onto Peter Clarke’s pass and held off centre-back Will Antwi before crossing for Rhodes to prod the ball home.

Tony Roberts, the former Welsh international keeper, whose physique brought good-natured taunts from Town’s fans, made a smart stop in the 21st minute, blocking one-handed to deny Jack Hunt, who was on the right side of midfield.

Dagenham’s leveller came in controversial circumstances, with Vincelot driving home Akinde’s pass with Town temporarily down to 10 men as Lee Peltier waited to come back on after catching a stray boot on the head.

But the natural order of the first half was restored when Roberts picked up Kevin Kilbane’s pass and crossed from the left for Rhodes to show his predatory instincts with a near-post header.

It’s a pity their recent results have been matched by automatic promotion rivals Southampton, who were 2-0 winners against Hartlepool.

At this stage, all Town can do is win their last two – and see what happens.

BENIK AFOBE and Lee Novak notched the crucial goals as Town maintained the Final League I table momentum of their exciting promotion push.

Lee Clark’s men had to overcome stubborn opposition, a tricky Prenton Park pitch and the early loss of Liam Ridehalgh as they made it 19 League I games unbeaten and five wins in six.

This was also a fifth consecutive clean sheet, and bearing in mind the early reshuffle in which Jack Hunt replaced Ridehalgh and Lee Peltier switched from right to left-back, it was highly encouraging ahead of Saturday’s big home showdown with freescoring Peterborough.

Town had to deal with some Tranmere pressure before Afobe forced his fifth goal of the season in the 38th minute.

But there was only one nervy moment after that – when substitute Adam McGurk was unable to convert Enoch Showunmi’s inviting 72nd-minute cross – and the visitors were good value for their third 2-0 win in as many visits to this venue, sealed by Novak’s slide-rule 87th-minute finish.

The competition created by Clark means the Geordie striker hasn’t had that many minutes of action this season.

But the 22-year-old, who had replaced Afobe just five minutes earlier, showed the scoring instinct which brought him 12 goals last season is still there with his fourth of this term.

Peltier played Novak in and the frontman nudged the ball past diving keeper Tony Warner on the edge of the area then rolled home a low shot which had Town’s travelling ■ CLINCHER: Danny Ward scores the winner against champions Brighton army behind that goal dancing with delight.

Those same fans had seen Town work hard to keep Tranmere out in the closing stages, when both highly-rated Dale Jennings and Ivorian Zoumana Bakayogo, pushed up from left-back to midfield, were prominent.

TOWN 1-1 Peterborough United Hunt. Attn: 14,855

JACK HUNT was Town’s have-a-go hero as sheer persistence finally produced a point against promotion rivals Peterborough.

Substitute Hunt was only on the pitch through a hamstring injury to Joey Gudjonsson, himself a half-time replacement for Danny Ward.

First the 20-year-old won an 85th-minute penalty, only for Gary Roberts’ spot kick to be saved by Joe Lewis.

Then, with the fourth official signalling an extra four minutes, Hunt drove his way into the box again, this time drilling in a low shot – and the first goal of his career.

If Town’s overall performance was disappointing – Lee Clark’s side slipped out of the automatic promotion places as Southampton won 2-0 at Leyton Orient – they deserved the draw.

Attack-minded Posh, who had gone ahead through Grant McCann’s 41st-minute penalty, were put under real pressure in the closing stages, and had an equaliser come earlier, the home team might well have gone on to win.

One point was certainly better than none and Town, who stretched their unbeaten League I run to 20 matches, should be given credit for keeping going after a penalty miss which might have led to heads dropping.

The home fans in a 14,855 crowd also played their part, sticking with their side throughout and finally getting the chance to cheer.

Town weren’t without opportunities in the first half.

Benik Afobe couldn’t get a clean enough connection to Scott Arfield’s 13th-minute cross, and neither could Jordan Rhodes when Jamie McCombe headed on Lee Peltier’s long throw in the 21st.

Then, after 28 minutes, Arfield was unable to take advantage when Roberts hooked back a neat delivery by Ward while Afobe shot wide from Kevin Kilbane’s 44th-minute flick.

But Posh, with Northern Ireland star McCann pulling the strings , looked every bit a side who had scored 93 league goals going into this crucial clash.

It took a fine save against his former club by Ian Bennett to deny George Boyd a third-minute goal, and the keeper also held Charlie Lee’s dipping 12th-minute strike before Craig Mackail-Smith was wide in the 17th.

James Wesolowski hit the side-netting and it took the combined efforts of Peter Clarke and Gary Naysmith to thwart Mackail-Smith as he pounced after Bennett parried Tommy Rowe’s 27th-minute shot.

Then Boyd put an effort just over after a neat one-two with Wesolowski before Peltier tangled with Mackail-Smith, referee Mike Russell pointed to the spot and McCann beat Bennett, who dived the right way but couldn’t quite reach the ball into his left-hand corner.

Reshuffled Town made a better fist of the second half, with Gudjonsson shooting wide before the fresh legs of Lee Novak, on for Rhodes in the 62nd minute, started to stretch the Posh defence even more.

Mackail-Smith put a header over before his shot was blocked by Naysmith, but it was Town doing the bulk of the attacking.

Arfield and Clarke both had shots blocked and it looked like Town were going down – until Hunt intervened.

Afobe (2), Ward. Attn: 8,416

Charlton Athletic 0-1 TOWN

MK Dons 1-3 TOWN

Gudjonsson. Attn: 15,879

Arfield, Peltier, Cadamarteri. Attn: 11,857

THE play-offs are the worst-case scenario for Town after Joey Gudjonsson fired an arrow straight through Charlton’s defences.

On a day when promotion rivals Southampton, Peterborough and MK Dons all won – and Brighton clinched the League I title – it was crucial Town followed suit at The Valley.

Icelandic midfielder Gudjonsson duly delivered with a scorching 83rd-minute shot from a free-kick on the edge of the ‘D’.

It was a second bite of the cherry for the former Burnley man.

Brought down by Jose Semedo 30 yards out, his first effort was handled by Kyel Reid, who was on the end of a five-man wall.

That brought another attempt – and this time neither the red-shirted barrier nor keeper John Sullivan could prevent the ball flying into the right-hand corner right in front of Town’s 1,338-strong travelling contingent.

Cue wild celebrations and a guaranteed play-off place after Rochdale lost 1-0 at home to Brentford, for whom Town loan man Robbie Simpson got the goal.

Of course the second automatic spot alongside Brighton is still up for grabs, and Town continue to push their rivals all the way after a seventh win in 10 games.

But a determined defensive display brought a seventh clean sheet in eight matches, with one save from Ian Bennett really standing out.

It came in the 68th minute, when Portuguese midfielder Semedo met right-back Chris Solly’s cross with a looping header which had goal written all over it – until Town’s 39-year-old stopper defied his years by arching his back, stretching and tipping the ball over the bar.

It was a top stop by a more than useful signing, and there were also strong displays by what manager Lee Clark would deem his first-choice back four of Lee Peltier, Jamie McCombe, Peter Clarke and Gary Naysmith.

It meant an afternoon of frustration for Bradley Wright-Phillips, who put two past Town for Plymouth earlier this season, and Paul Benson, the former Dagenham and Redbridge striker who shot over from a good position late in the first half.

At the other end, former Republic of Ireland and Norwich centre-back Gary Doherty was an impressive performer for Charlton, his battle with on-loan Arsenal teenager Benik Afobe forming an intriguing sub-plot.

Afobe was again handed the central role in a three-man frontline, this time with Jack Hunt to his right, and the young guns responded superbly.

Both mixed energy with adventure, constantly plugging away at the home rearguard, and Town had a decent 30th-minute penalty shout when Hunt’s heels appeared to be clipped by on-loan Leeds left-back Federico Bessone.

Hunt was also involved in the move which brought Town closest to a first-half breakthrough, feeding Peltier, whose cross teed up Gudjonsson for two shots, both of which were blocked.

Charlton’s best effort before the break came from Doherty, whose 27th-minute header was saved, while McCombe, Gary Roberts and Peltier all came close for Town early in the second half.

LEE CLARK watched Town boost their League I promotion chances with a fifth consecutive away win – then switched his attention to Monday’s home meeting with Dagenham.

Goals from Scott Arfield, Lee Peltier and Danny Cadamarteri clinched a fine 3-1 win over MK Dons in front of 2,819 travelling fans in an 11,857 crowd and put Town back into second spot in place of Southampton.

That means Town are three points ahead of Saints, and six in front of fourth-placed Peterborough, who lost 2-1 at Leyton Orient, and piled the pressure on Nigel Adkins’ side ahead of today’s big South coast derby at champions Brighton.

But Clark, who will be checking on potential transfer targets elsewhere this afternoon, is focused on the clash with Dagenham, for which Peltier is a doubt after a knee problem forced him off at half-time at stadium:mk.

After a game in which both sides missed penalties (Peter Leven for MK and Arfield for Town) the boss said: “We’re delighted with the win but now it’s all about getting the players fed, watered and recovered, because Dagenham will make it difficult for us.

“They are fighting to stay in this division, and we saw when we went there that they have players with good physical attributes and work extremely hard and we have to be ready for that.”

Town, now unbeaten in 22 league games, will be chasing a ninth win in 12 after seeing off MK, whose consolation from Mathias Kouo-Doumbe didn’t come until the 89th minute.

“I thought they were the better side for the first 25 minutes, causing us problems with their movement, but then we scored with a great strike from Scott Arfield and went from there,” added Clark.

“Gary Roberts’ deliveries from set plays give us great opportunities and led to our other two goals, and I just wish I had someone who could take penalties!

“Gary passed the job over after his miss against Peterborough and Scott was up for it, and to be fair, he wants to take the next one.”

At the other end, Ian Bennett’s save denied MK an equaliser and Clark added: “It’s taken a while, but he’s finally become a cult hero at the age of 39!”

Your local Fencing & Shed specialists TRADE AND PUBLIC WELCOME

Brighton 2-3 TOWN

TOWN 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge Rhodes (2). Attn: 12,043

PRETTY it wasn’t, but this three-point haul maintained Town’s magnificent run of results and their hopes of automatic promotion.

Jordan Rhodes, restored to the starting side after being on the bench for the wins at Charlton and MK Dons, grabbed the goals which dumped hard-working Dagenham and Redbridge in the drop zone.

The first was a simple ninth-minute finish from Benik Afobe’s pass and the second, his 22nd of the campaign, a neat 31st-minute header from Gary Roberts’ cross which came three minutes after Frenchman Romain Vincelot equalised with a rising shot.

Ian Bennett got a hand to that one, and Town had their

LET’S hope this fixture is repeated next season, because while Brighton are heading up to the Championship, Town surely deserve to join them.

In seven of the last 10 seasons, their current points tally of 86, a club record under three for a win, would have been enough to seal automatic promotion.

But the form of Southampton, who have won 12 of their last 15 matches, has put them in the driving seat for a second-placed finish.

And their superior goal difference, extended to 44 (to Town’s 29) by Saturday’s 3-0 win at Brentford, means victory at Plymouth this afternoon would all but condemn Lee Clark’s side to the League I play-offs.

Everyone remembers last season’s misery at Millwall, but Saturday’s South-coast victory over the champions, which was sealed by Danny Ward’s last-minute sizzler and extended an amazing unbeaten run to 24 league games, underlines what we already knew – that Town have what it takes to come through the post-season competition successfully.

Two other club records tumbled as Clark’s men put the spoilers on a big day for Brighton, who were playing their last match at the Withdean Stadium before their switch to the new £93m AMEX stadium and received the title trophy after the game.

It was a 13th away win of the season, bettering the previous best of 1919-20, and a sixth in succession, improving the achievement of 1924-25.

Some will say Brighton have gone off the boil since clinching the title, but make no mistake – they were desperate to win on their special afternoon, and showed plenty of the power which has taken them to 94 points.

No other side has done the double over them this season, but Town managed it thanks to Ward’s hammer blow after twice having Benik Afobe goal cancelled out, first through Ashley Barnes, then Matt Sparrow.

On-loan Bolton winger Ward’s first Town goal rewarded Clark’s bold policy from the bench, because the visitors ended the game with three up front – Afobe, Jordan Rhodes and Alan Lee – and just three at the back, Gary Naysmith having been sacrificed to the push for victory.

They had started with their ‘away’ set-up, Afobe flanked

by Jack Hunt and Gary Roberts in a front three, and it took only eight minutes to find a way past Peter Brezovan.

Liam Bridcutt’s foul on Joey Gudjonsson brought a halfway free-kick from which Naysmith picked out Afobe, who spun away from home skipper Gordon Greer and slotted home.

Brighton equalised two minutes into the second half, when Peltier was ruled to have fouled Elliott Bennett inside the box as he ran onto Barnes’ pass.

Ian Bennett was equal to Barnes’ spot kick, diving to his right to parry, but was powerless to prevent the penalty taker heading home the rebound.

Brighton powered forward, with Wood (twice), Barnes and the lively Craig Noone thwarted before Afobe fired his seventh Town goal in the 61st minute.

It came from Calderon’s slip (his chest back to Brezovan fell well short) and the on-loan Arsenal ace took advantage with a neat finish.

Gary Roberts could have made it 3-1 in the 68th-minute and it was even stevens a minute later when Sparrow, freshly off the home bench, slotted home an angled shot from Gary Dicker’s pass.

Town’s Bennett made a fine save from Gary Hart, but opposite number Brezovan had no chance when Ward thumped home the fifth-goal of a ding-dong duel from the busy Afobe’s tee-up.

FENCING PANELS and ALL TANALIZED TIMBER; DECORATIVE AGGREGATES; GARDEN SHEDS and SUMMER HOUSES; DECKING, GARDEN FURNITURE; TREATMENTS, TOOLS AND FIXINGS

• Made to Measure Fence Panels Manufactured on the Premises • Quality Garden Sheds • Fitting Service Available • Large Variety of European Fence Panels • Deck Board and Decking Accessories • No Obligation Quotes • Free Cutting Service Available • Posts, Joists, Pailings and Sleepers • All Timber is Pressure Treated

Delivery Service Available

Manchester Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QX. Tel/Fax: 01484 654222

www.tjsgardenproducts.co.uk

Open: Monday - Friday 7.30am - 5pm, Saturday 8am - 12pm

Huddersfield TOWN 2010-2011

Thursday June2, 2011 TOWN 4-4 Brentford Ward (2), Novak, Afobe. Attn: 12,055

TOWN 0-3 Peterborough

MAY

Attn: 48,410

DANNY WARD, Lee Novak and Benik Afobe provided the positives as Town received a warning blast across the bows ahead of their League I play-off semi-final showdown with AFC Bournemouth.

All three showed their sharpness in front of goal during a madcap match of shots, shots and more shots.

But boss Lee Clark will spend some of this week addressing the issues which led to his side throwing away the lead three times, a habit which must be nipped in the bud.

To be fair, it was out of character, and at least Town stretched their amazing unbeaten League I run to 25 games ahead of their two crunch clashes with the Cherries, who won’t be happy at having gone down 2-1 at home to Rochdale.

Two hundred and fifty miles to the North, Ward’s impressive early double provided a solid foundation for the Galpharm side.

Final League I table But Brentford kept chipping away and were rewarded with two goals apiece for Jeffery Schlupp and Lewis Grabban.

Town could still have won it, because Kevin Kilbane, who Clark wanted to rest but was brought off the bench to help provide some solidity, had an 89th-minute header cleared off the line by fellow substitute Nathan Byrne before Ward whacked in a shot which was pushed for a corner by Simon Moore.

Bolton loanee Ward showed the power and accuracy of his shooting as he claimed the winner at Brighton seven days previously, and this clash was peppered with his sizzling ■ PENALTY PRIZE: play-off semi-final celebrations shots, two of which had the better of the Brentford keeper. minute at the end of the first period.

He had already put one narrowly wide and And should penalties be needed, Ian Peltier passed a fitness test on the hamstring injury which stung Moore’s fingers after being set up by Bennett has the psychological boost Afobe by the time the opener arrived in the forced him off early in the second half of Saturday’s first of having denied Danny Ings from the 13th minute, when he drilled the ball home leg – and lined up alongside Kilbane in central midfield, spot on Saturday. after seizing on Marcus Bean’s misplaced with Jack Hunt retaining the right-back berth.

His save came in the 36th minute, 14 pass.

Kay kept the centre-half slot alongside skipper Peter after another thirtysomething, Kevin Kilbane, put Town His second, also fired in from the edge of the penalty Clarke while top scorer Jordan Rhodes returned to the ahead. area, came two minutes later as he advanced past two frontline alongside Benik Afobe as boss Lee Clark went Town had done little in terms of attacking up to that defenders before unleashing an effort which Moore got point, but made the most of a corner bizarrely given away 4-4-2. his hands to but couldn’t prevent from crossing the line.

Bournemouth, aiming for a first win over Town in 18

by Anton Robinson from just inside his own half.

Joey Gudjonsson blocked from Bean, and the visiting attempts, kept the same starting line-up as the first leg.

Gary Roberts swung in the flag kick from the Town right midfielder then brought a great save from Ian Bennett, Clark had called for a high-tempo start to the tie, and his with precision and Kilbane met it with a header beyond who pushed away his sweetly-struck long-ranger for a team took him at his word, with Gary Roberts having a keeper Shwan Jalal and into the far corner. corner. shot saved after just 12 seconds.

The home side gradually rediscovered their rhythm and Then the busy Sam Saunders threaded through a pass to got a potential route back into the tie when Danny Bournemouth’s first chance came in the eighth minute, Grabban, who put his shot only just wide.

Holland picked out Rhoys Wiggins . when Ings dribbled along the edge of the area before Brentford had the ball in the net in the 38th minute – The left-back powered into the penalty area and took a shooting wide.

Grabban was yellow carded after kicking it away in tumble as Bennett came sliding out.

Kay’s precise upfield pass helped bring Town the game’s frustration when ruled offside as he followed up after Home fans called for a red card, but with Kay covering on first corner, won by Rhodes, in the 22nd minute, but Bennett parried another shot by Bean – and while both the line, referee Mick Russell plumped for yellow, and salt keeper Shwan Jalal collected Roberts’ delivery at the Scott Arfield and Ward came close for Town, the goal the was rubbed into the wounds when the 19-year-old stopper second attempt.

Londoners had threatened finally arrived a minute into dived to his right to push away Ings’ spot kick.

The next flag kick, in the 26th minute, was to provide first-half stoppage time.

The Town supporters were cock-a-hoop, and they could Town with the breakthrough they craved.

Schlupp beat Peter Clarke to fellow Leicester loanee have been celebrating further in the 39th minute, when Jalal pushed Afobe’s header from Hunt’s cross past the Robbie Neilson’s header and slotted home an angled shot Ward teed up Roberts for a shot which had Jalal post, but was powerless to prevent Peltier heading home which went in off Bennett’s left-hand post. stretching acrobatically to tip over. from Roberts’ centre, the ball hitting the inside of the Just six minutes of the second half had elapsed when A goal at the stage might well have been a killer blow, and post and beating the desperate leap of a defender.

German youth international Schlupp claimed his second, another great chance of making it a two-goal lead came The stadium was bouncing, with home fans lapping up this time picking up Myles Weston’s pass and beating and went six minutes into the second half.

Bennett without breaking stride.

Roberts and Lee Peltier, who was soon to be forced off by the deft footwork of the orange-booted Roberts.

The drama in the Town penalty box was far from over, Brentford’s 135 travelling fans (in a 12,055 crowd) were injury, combined down the right and the latter centred to because the visitors, having missed a spot kick on still celebrating when Novak restored Town’s lead just a Benik Afobe. minute later.

Saturday, drew level with one in the 43rd minute.

The on-loan Arsenal youngster had stayed onside, but The Geordie striker had only been on the field for three stumbled slightly as he shaped to shoot, and Jalal was able Smith was fouled by Clarke after playing a neat one-two minutes, but he was in the right spot to smash home his with Lovell and after Ings’ effort was saved by Bennett to make vital save. fourth goal of the season after Moore could only parry four days earlier, Lovell took the responsibility from 12 It was looking good for Town, but when Jack Hunt, on yet another Ward effort. yards, drilling his shot into the roof of the net. for Peltier, made a tackle and the ball broke nicely for Brentford weren’t for rolling over, however, and after It was a big setback for Town, but they responded with McDermott 25 yards out, the Irish youngster lashed in Saunders floated a cross-cum-shot onto the top of the vigour, and after Rhodes headed over with the goal at his left-footed on the hour. bar, Grabban made the most of Bennett’s sliced clearance mercy, the lead was regained two minutes into time added Now the swing was with Bournemouth, but Town stood to net in the 59th minute. on at the end of a frenetic first half. firm, with the home side’s best chance coming when Town were back in front in the 63rd, when Afobe turned Wiggins drove in a low 85th-minute shot through a crowd Afobe played a pass from the left and Ward, receiving the to fire in Ward’s cross. ball with his back to goal, spun his marker and bent of players – only for Bennett to save.

But Brentford bounced back again in the 68th minute, home a low left footer from 20 yards. when Grabban struck from close range after neat build-up TOWN 3-3 AFC Bournemouth McDermott hammered a free-kick straight into the Town play by Schlupp and on-loan Tottenham teenager Byrne. (after extra time W 4-2 pens) wall early in the second half, but Clark’s men were quickly back on the attack, with Clarke’s shot deflected AFC Bournemouth 1-1 TOWN Peltier, Ward, Kay. Attn: 16,444 for a corner before Rhodes scooped a close-range shot Kilbane. Attn: 9,043 over the bar.

TOWN’S promotion dream stayed very much alive as Bournemouth were not going to give in easily, however, they won a penalty shoot-out on a nerve-shredding night GET set for a season-defining night of football drama at and got back into the game for a second time in the 63rd of pure football drama. the Galpharm on Wednesday! minute, with Lovell picking up McDermott’s pass and Lee Clark’s side had missed their last three efforts from After three meetings and three draws, it’s a fight to the riding two tackles before lashing home. finish as these two go toe-to-toe for a trip to Old Trafford. the spot in open play but made no mistake as a thrilling Afobe’s persistence almost paid off in the 75th minute, League I play-off semi-final second leg went all the way With no away goals rule in the play-offs, it’s effectively a but after shrugging off three tackles, he was unable to get to a shoot-out. cup final for a place in a cup final. his shot on target, while at the other end, Bennett saved Lee Novak, Danny Ward, Kevin Kilbane and Antony Some of the gloss was taken off another gritty Town Kay all hit the target while star stopper Ian Bennett saved Danny Hollands’ header. performance by Donal McDermott’s equaliser down at Town had the better of the early stages of extra time, with from Graham Feeney and Anton Robinson hit the bar as Dean Court.

Ward bringing a smart save from Jalal before substitute Town won with a penalty to spare.

But while Bournemouth have proved themselves e a good Novak’s free-kick was blocked by the Bournemouth wall.

A pulsating clash finished 3-3 and produced the fourth footballing side, Lee Clark’s team are in the driving seat.

But they were rocked when Ings squeezed home a header draw in four meetings between the two sides this season.

They’ve held their semi-final foes on their own patch, from substitute Marc Pugh’s cross.

Town twice took the lead through Lee Peltier and Danny making it 26 league games unbeaten, and haven’t lost at But the lead lasted less than two minutes as Kay emerged Ward, but both times Bournemouth levelled through home in 14 matches. from a ruck of players to power in a header from Roberts Steve Lovell, his first a penalty.

They’ll have the backing of plentiful home support – and corner in time added on in the first period extra time.

Danny Ings headed the visitors in front for the first time full marks to the 1,283 travelling fans in a 9,043 crowd In a frantic finale there was yet another twist when in the two play-off ties 13 minutes into the first period of who made themselves heard from start to finish. extra time, but Town’s response was swift, Antony Kay Bournemouth skipper Pearce was shown a 112th-minute If it goes to extra time, they have the benefit of proven powering home another header during an additional straight red card after a two-footed lunge at Kilbane. fitness levels and a strong bench, whoever is sitting on it.

With over 25 years experience in the fork truck industry, we serve a wide variety of customers in the building, manufacturing, textiles and packaging sectors.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellent standards of service and as a result we have a large number of loyal customers, who speak highly of our technical skills and customer focused approach.

15

• • • • •

TOWN suffered a nightmare end to the season in the Theatre of Dreams as hopes of promotion crumbled in the wake of Peterborough’s late goal blitz.

It was a cruel end to a campaign which promised so much as three strikes in a devastating eight-minute spell condemned Lee Clark’s men to a first defeat since January.

It was end-to-end for the bulk of the Old Trafford play-off final, and while the final scoreline, sealed by Tommy Rowe, Craig Mackail-Smith and Grant McCann, flattered Posh, it will be of little consolation as Town contemplate another season in League I. Boss Clark ended days of pre-match debate among fans by choosing to go with his ‘away’ line-up, playing striker Benik Afobe between wide men Gary Roberts and Danny Ward and restoring Scott Arfield to midfield, 22-goal top scorer Jordan Rhodes being left on the bench.

Peterborough kept the side which clinched a place in the final by beating MK Dons in the semi second leg.

Town’s vast travelling army of fans outnumbered their opponents two to one, with chairman Dean Hoyle’s gift of a free T-shirt to every supporter creating a huge wall of blue and white stripes stretching from the famous Stretford End into each adjacent stand.

But it was the Posh contingent who could be heard in the opening stages as their side came quickly out of the blocks on a hard pitch made greasy by pre-match rain.

Craig Mackail-Smith, on 34 goals for the season and needing two more to bring up a century for the club, came close to a fifth-minute breakthrough when he burst onto Lee Tomlin’s pass.

But the challenging Antony Kay got a vital touch as the Scotland international’s shot was deflected against the outside of Ian Bennett’s left-hand post and away for a corner.

McCann’s inswinging flag kick was safely punched clear by former Posh player Bennett, who then collected George Boyd’s swerving eighth-minute long-range effort with little fuss.

Town’s first chances fell to Lee Peltier, who twice got in headers from corners by Gary Roberts, before skipper Peter Clarke brought a first save of the match from Posh keeper Paul Jones with a 19th-minute header after Danny Ward nodded back a Roberts cross.

It took a timely tackle from centre-back Gaby Zakuani to thwart Afobe as he shaped to shoot a minute later, but Posh poured forward on the counter-attack, and Kay did well to hold off Mackail-Smith.

The game was becoming more open, and when Roberts produced a neat 28th-minute cross, Afobe hooked a shot off target as Ward lurked menacingly.

Town survived a 32nd-minute penalty appeal when James Wesolowski went down under Gary Naysmith’s challenge, while Kay again came to the rescue as he robbed Mackail-Smith near goal.

Boyd’s 44th-minte foul on Peltier set up a free-kick opportunity for Roberts, whose curling shot was pawed away by Jones for the first of successive Town corners, the second of which was flicked on by Kay to Afobe, who was unable to get his shot on target.

Town had come right into the game as the half progressed, but Posh had the final chance before the break, when Mackail-Smith met Boyd’s pass only to poke the ball wide as Bennett came out.

Both sides were playing towards their own fans in the second half.

And after Roberts fouled Boyd 25 yards out, the Posh supporters were out of their seats as McCann curled the free-kick just over.

Ward drove a 55th-minute shot from Afobe’s lay-off well wide before Roberts’ hooked effort from Peltier’s pass was headed away by defender Ryan Bennett.

Then Ward came close with a fine solo effort in the 59th minute when he worked his way from the right flank to the byline and stepped back inside before unleashing a left-foot shot which grazed the top of the bar.

Posh made the first change in the 64th minute, and substitute Charlie Lee, on for left-back Grant Basey, was yellow carded within minutes after catching Peltier with a high foot.

He joined Peltier and Tomlin in referee Steve Tanner’s book, both having committed first-half fouls, and Kay was cautioned on 75 minutes after bringing down Mackail-Smith when he was in full flight.

Tomlin fired that free-kick straight into the wall, but when Naysmith was ruled to have fouled Boyd three minutes later, Posh made the breakthrough, Rowe glancing home a header from McCann’s curling delivery.

It was to prove the start of an avalanche which ended any hopes of a fightback and left Town beaten for the first time in 28 league games.

Mackail-Smith made it two in the 80th minute, picking up Boyd’s pass and leaving Bennett in no-man’s land with a shot which took a deflection off Kay. Then when Clarke fouled Mackail-Smith just outside the penalty area five minutes later, McCann squeezed the free-kick between Bennett and his left-hand post.

4 hour response times on breakdowns The lowest breakdown charges in the area with no call-out fees Very competitive parts and service prices Personal service from a committed and experienced team.

Fork truck hire specially tailored to meet the needs of your business

Fork Truck Services UK ltd. Unit 112, Colne Valley Business Park, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QG www.forktruck-services.co.uk Tel:0845 521 2816

APPRENTICESHIPS & Full TImE CouRSES EMPLOYERS

APPRENTICES

FULL TIME STUDENTS

Are you looking for an employer?

Are you looking for a full time course in a construction trade?

Do you need an apprentice?

T o N Y H W

D l I u B

N I R E E R ?

A N C o I R T u C o u Y R T

S N Co

Areas of study available include brickwork, carpentry, joinery, electrical installation, construction technology, plumbing and plastering.

For more information contact Kirklees College, Construction Tel: 0800 781 30 20 Text: KC EXC followed by your name to 67777 Email: info@kirkleescollege.ac.uk