JORDAN RHODES captured the headlines again with a hat trick, despite commentators and pundits claiming the first was an own goal by Jimmy Smith.
The Terriers hit-man claimed the match ball at the end of the game and referee James Linington confirmed in his match report that the goal was indeed Jordan’s.
Huddersfield had to do things the hard way after conceding the opening goal to former Leeds midfielder Matthew Spring on 14 minutes
It took just FOUR minutes for Town to fight back with Rhodes scoring a backheeler into the net that was deflected in off an Orient defender.
Jack Hunt picked up his 10th yellow card of the season in the 33rd minute – a booking that will now rule him out of the Sheffield Wednesday and Bournemouth games.
That man Jordan Rhodes was there to pop up in first half stoppage time to put the visitors in-front for the first time in the game.
Sean Morrison launched his delap-esque throw into the Orient box, Alan Lee flicked it on and Rhodes pounced to prod the ball home from close range.
HALF TIME: Leyton Orient 1-2 Huddersfield Town.
Huddersfield emerged for the second half showing two changes with Scott Arfield replacing Lee Novak, who had picked up a knock. Also entering the fray was Calum Woods who replaced Jack Hunt who was carrying a knock and a booking.
The change saw Tom Clarke move to right back and Woods went to left-back.
Town played well in the second half and soaked up Orient pressure without really coming under any serious threat and it was that man Rhodes who sealed the three points and the game for The Terriers in the 90th minute.
Alex Smithies launched a long ball forward and substitute Danny Cadamarteri challenged for the ball which broke loose to Rhodes, who saw off three Leyton Orient defenders before prodding home past the helpless Rachubka from around 12 yards out.
FULL TIME: LEYTON ORIENT 1-3 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN.
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Alex Smithies; Tom Clarke, Peter Clarke (c), Sean Morrison, Jack Hunt (Calum Woods 46); Danny Ward, Diego Arismendi, Antony Kay, Lee Novak (Scott Arfield 46); Alan Lee (Danny Cadamarteri 78), Jordan Rhodes
Unused subs: Ian Bennett, Gary Roberts.
Town Scorers. Jordan Rhodes (18, 45 & 90)
Town bookings: Jack Hunt (33); Alan Lee (42)
Attendance: 3,674
Away: 603
Player Ratings
Alex Smithies
.
Jack Hunt
.
Peter Clarke (c)
.
Sean Morrison
.
Tom Clarke
.
Danny Ward
.
Antony Kay
.
Diego Arismendi
.
Lee Novak
.
Alan Lee
.
Jordan Rhodes
.
Calum Woods
.
Scott Arfield
.
Simon Grayson – injuries & Run In
.
Simon Grayson
‘It was the response we wanted and the most important thing was to win the game to keep in touch with the teams above us,
‘It wasn’t a great spectacle, but it is about fighting and scrapping and getting results at this stage of the season. I thought we showed a good attitude, worked hard and although we maybe could have done better in possession on some occasions, we had people in the right places to get us the goals.
Simon on Rhodes Hat Trick
‘I think one or two people are trying to tell him (the first goal wasn’t his), but he has the match ball at this moment in time! He can score different types of goals whether it is from in and around the six yard box like his first two or from the edge of the area like his third. I am delighted with him and the rest of the team. I thought Alan Lee really complimented Jordan, but it was about bouncing back from the weekend.’
Simon Grayson – injuries & Run In
I wanted to be positive with the team that I selected because we had to win the game – so we played Lee Novak because he has done well for us lately and Alan, who has affected games from the bench over the last few weeks. We decided that Alan might give us something a little bit different – we looked a big team tonight from set-pieces. Lee had to come off injured at half-time as did Jack Hunt, who was on a booking and we didn’t want to run the risk of going down to ten men in the second 45.
‘Lee got a kick on his ankle and one or two others have got a few bumps and bruises, but we will prepare well and hopefully everyone will be ready for the weekend. We will do a warm down tomorrow in London and then prepare for a very big game on the weekend.’
‘We had to win tonight and we have done that. We can’t affect what other teams have done previously; however, on the weekend we have a chance to affect one of the teams around us. It has got the ingredients to be a great game and one that we are looking forward to. From now until the end of the season there will be plenty of twists and turns and unexpected results. I have got the confidence that my group of players can handle the pressure.
‘I don’t think the fans will need much motivation to come down on Saturday. It is one of the biggest games of the season and after the atmosphere that was created with 16,000 people against Charlton; I am looking forward to what can be generated with a near sell out. This weekend will be special – a top of the table clash against two Yorkshire rivals.’
