Grayson Leads Terriers to Victory

Simon Grayson saw his first game in charge at Huddersfield end with a 2-0 victory over a dogged Exeter City side.

Jamie McCombe put The Terriers ahead on 40 minutes and Jordan Rhodes sealed the three points with a fantastic goal on 85 minutes.



FULL-TIME – Huddersfield Town 2 Exeter City 0.

.Huddersfield Town.

Alex Smithies;

Jack Hunt, Sean Morrison, Jamie McCombe, Gary Naysmith (c);

Gary Roberts (Danny Cadamarteri 83), Oscar Gobern, Anton Robinson (Joey Gudjonsson 64), Danny Ward;

Jordan Rhodes, Alan Lee (Lee Novak 64)

Unused subs:

Ian Bennett, Antony Kay.

Player Ratings

Alex Smithies 7
Marked his 100th appearance with a clean sheet

Jack Hunt 9
Superb display from the right-back who spent most of the second half on the attack as Town pressed forward.

Jamie McCombe 7
Third Goal of the season from the big man and solid at the back – His opening goal came at just the right time for Town and settled the nerves.

Sean Morrison 7
Solid defending from the Reading Loanee.

Gary Naysmith 7
The Scot seemed to have more freedom to go forward – caught out a few times early on but otherwise solid.

Danny Ward 8
Danny Ward – back on form – just what the doctor ordered for the final 16 games. Impressive

Oscar Gobern 6
Perhaps not his best display – passing was wayward in first half – but did make some good challenges in the 2nd half

Anton Robinson 6
Another start for the former Bournemouth man – Still not looking brilliant but a good sitting display – replaced by Joey G as Exeter were growing into the game

Gary Roberts 7
Amazing he is back so soon after Hernia surgery – Looked good before being replaced by Cadders

Alan Lee 6
Can’t fault his effort – a dive for a penalty wasnt fooling anyone – took a battering but still played too far away from Rhodes – who wasnt in the game at all first half

Jordan Rhodes 7
Scored a great goal to make it 2-0, looked more involved after the arrival of Lee Novak

Lee Novak 7
He won’t want a super sub tag – but the Geordie made a real difference after replacing Alan Lee – provided the assist for Rhodes goal and was lively throughout

Joey Gudjonsson 6
Making his first appearance since 14 May 2011 away at Bournemouth. Decent overall

Simon Grayson on his first game in charge
Little time to influence the game but looked lively as Exeter were stretched.

Manager Rating
Simon Grayson – 7 – Navigated a difficult first game in charge – A clean Sheet and three points – Who could have asked for more?

Opponent Rating
Paul Tisdale – 6 – Immaculately dressed – Flat Cap and all – Had no answer to Town with only Daniel Nardiello looking a threat as the game wore on.

Simon Grayson On the Game Overall
“Delighted to have won the football match”

“It’s about winning matches and that’s what we have done today”

“We have some good exciting players at this football club”

“Whilst you are only one up you are always looking over your shoulder, but Jordan came up with a great goal”

“We have won the football match and there are 15 to go to get us over that final winning line”

Simon Grayson on today’s team selection
” I said I wasn’t going to make wholesale changes”

“We brought one or two back (on the bench)”

“The team weren’t too far away against Sheffield United and they deserved an opportunity to stake a claim for the shirt for the rest of the season.”

“The whole team is a unit and they want to do well for each other”

“The central defence did okay, but there are things we can do better, one or two things we will work on.”

Simon Grayson on his first game in charge
“Myself, Ian and Glynn are delighted to be here, it’s a real family club and we want to deliver.”

“I don’t generally get nervous ahead of games and today was no different.”