Rhodes Takes Town Second

JORDAN Rhodes grabbed the headlines again as his 28th strike of the season sealed all three points and a return to the top two for The Terriers.

Rhodes, who produced a quality finish five minutes after the restart to lift Town back into the automatic promotion places, has scored 13 goals in his last seven matches.

It was a wonderful way to finish off the game but how different things could have been!

Brentford bossed the opening play as Town struggled to cope with the Bee’s enthusiasm and energy. It was only a matter of time before the Huddersfield defence cracked and it was Captain Peter Clarke that gave away a soft penalty in the 21st minute.

Clarke, who should have stayed on his feet, went to ground in a challenge on Marcus Bean. To his credit Bean attempted to continue but referee Colin Webster deemed the initial challenge enough to award a penealty.

Gary Alexander sent ‘keeper Ian Bennett the wrong way to give the visitors a much deserved lead.

Town looked shell shocked and things got worse just 8 minutes later as Brentford doubled their lead again through Gary Alexander!Niall McGinn showed a great burst of speed to beat Gary Naysmith to the byline (not hard i guess) and crossed low to the near post for Alexander to fire home his second from close range.

at this point things looked bleak for Town with fan’s now turning on the team and several fans seen throwing in the towel and leaving the stadium – Hell we had only played 29 minutes!

That second goal seemed to wake up Town who saw Gary Roberts powerful strike palmed onto the bar by Bee’s ‘keeper Richard Lee in the 40th minute, it was moment that made you feel maybe it just wasn’t to be our day.

However from the resulting corner Alan lee netted his 100th career league goal in somewhat controversial circumstances, but it was a goal that stood and perhaps a deserved rub of the green for the Irish man – who took a battering the entire game!

That goal had Brentford rocking as they were incensed at the decision to allow the goal to stand, Town now had all of the momentum and looked to finish the half the stronger side.

It was obvious that half-time was going to come just at the wrong time for Town but with 3 minutes added time at the end of the first half there was time for a Danny Ward flat cross to find big centre-back Jamie McCombe’s head, and he directed a beautiful header past a stranded Richard Lee in the Brentford goal.

HALF TIME:- Huddersfield 2-2 Brentford.

I still would not have wanted to be in the Town dressing room at half-time – but whatever Lee Clark said seemed to have the right effect as Town continued in the second half how they ended the first.

Gary Roberts managed to hit the crossbar again – with a lovely chip – this earned him comparison to Lionel Messi from the Sky commentators!

It was then that man Rhodes that stepped up to win the game, a superb long ball from Jack Hunt, fell right into the path of Rhodes. The result looked inevitable as the striker dribbled past Marcel Eger and placed a wonderful shot past the despairing dive of ‘keeper lee into the far corner.

It was come back complete for Huddersfield Town, who managed to see the game out, and reclaim second place on goal difference ahead of Sheffield Wednesday & United.

This could well be a turning point in our season and a massive 3 points.


FULL TIME: Huddersfield 3-2 Brentford.



Now the focus turns to Tranmere next Saturday at Prenton Park.

Player Ratings

Ian Bennett
Couldn’t save the penalty and had no chance with the second, but looked comfortable otherwise, some of his distribution was criticised by fans and manager Lee Clark with the wind playing a major role.

Jack Hunt
Another good display on the TV. Looks so good when going forward.

Peter Clarke (c)
Gave away a penalty – when he really should know better. Redeemed himself with a lot of blocks and putting his head in as the game wore on

Jamie McCombe
What a goal – any striker would be proud. Picked up a needless booking for reaction to the penalty award – he kicked the ball ferociously and dangerously close to the assistant referee.

Gary Naysmith
Beaten for pace that saw the second goal created. I think Woods maybe back next week. Generally was okay though

Oscar Gobern
Where was he for the first 30 mins?

Much better second half

Tommy Miller
Where was he for the first 30 mins?

Much better second half

Danny Ward
Good cross for McCombe’s goal. Had a few attempts on goal too – certainly looking better – had to go off after feeling his hamstring towards the end

Gary Roberts
Hit the bar twice – unlucky not to score with both efforts. Will now be missing for 3-6 weeks as he faces a hernia operation

Alan Lee
Had a good game – classic goal that epitomizes the type of challenges he endures all game long.

Best game I’ve seen him have for a while

Jordan Rhodes
One Chance – One Goal – Lethal.

Danny Cadamarteri
Not really sure what he added, one rash challenge on Bennett which he was lucky to escape any punishment for

Anton Robinson
Helped sure up the midfield late on as Town were getting over-run

finally on Town’s automatic promotion chances
Late sub for Ward, a few poor clearances from right back put Town under pressure – but it didn’t cost us in the end.

Lee Clark speaking to HTAFC.com
‘It feels good, but a lot of that may be because of the situation we found ourselves in after 30 minutes,’ said Clark.

‘It was very unlike a Huddersfield Town performance during the first half an hour; we were flat, didn’t have any spark and I thought the players were looking at each other to get themselves going. However, what we did show in the last hour of the game was fantastic character and spirit.

‘We had a couple of setbacks before the game kicked off. Lee Novak picked up an ankle injury in training on Friday, but he had a fitness test which he originally passed at 1pm. At 2pm I received the information that something wasn’t right, so it was a last minute change. We had a terrific replacement in Alan Lee who did brilliantly well last week, but it meant a change to the side which we had already planned and worked on – and it looked like it affected us during the first half an hour because we couldn’t get to grips with Brentford.’

Clark on Rhodes
‘It was a sensational finish – which he made look very easy. It was a tough chance, but he loves playing in front of the cameras. When the transfer window shuts I am going to tell him that there is a new rule where the window stays open just for him!’

finally on Town’s automatic promotion chances
‘It is very possible. At the moment we are chasing the team above us and there are six or seven good teams who are chasing us. Those teams will go on good runs so we will have to be consistent. I am very disappointed with elements of the performance today and I wouldn’t want to be seen as papering over the cracks. It is about winning now and during these last 19 games if we win 15 of them, and 10 of those wins are achieved like today then, although it won’t be great for my ticker, I will take them! It is about points now.’