Match Reports

Terriers Rip Saints To Shreds

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Lee Clark got his promotion season off to a great start at The Galpharm Stadium this afternoon.

After starting the season with a battling 2-2 draw away at Southend, Town dominated the match against The Saints from start to finish and Southampton couldn’t have any complaints if it had been 6,7 or 8 to Town.

Huddersfield made one change to the starting line up from the mid week win over Stockport, and it was Andy Butler restored to the line up in place of Nathan Clarke.

Lee Novak continued his partnership with Jordan Rhodes in attack and these two look like they have been playing together for a long time, not just a matter of weeks!

Southampton had Kelvin Davis to thank for going in at half time on level terms after the Saints stopper pulled off some amazing saves to deny Novak and Rhodes.

Southampton were very much playing on the break and simply couldn’t cope with the flurry of Huddersfield attacks.

It was only a matter of time before Town broke the deadlock and it was Novak causing havoc in the penalty area that led to the award of a penalty after Perry scithed down the former Gateshead man. Jordan Rhodes stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but it was brilliantly saved by keeper Davis, only for Rhodes to follow it up and tap home the re-bound.

It only took the Saints three minutes to draw level and it was definately against the run of play former Town target and Bristol Rovers hitman Rickie Lambert powered home a header, despite Smithies tipping it onto the underside of the bar, the linesman ruled that the ball had crossed the line.

This spurred The Terriers on and they continued with their attractive attacking play, Pilkington providing a deft cross following a corner for Rhodes to nod home his second of the game.

For the first time in a long time there was an expectancy and a real belief that Town would go on to score more and that proved the cas as Antony Kay scored his first goal for Town with a looping header over the stranded Davis following Theo Robinsons header hitting the post.

Town looked fluent, exciting and threatening throughout in what could prove to be a very very good season.

Player Ratings

Smithies 9
Did the simple things well and was rarely tested

Peltier 9
Looked strong going forward, and was rarely tested defensively

Skarz 8
Looked more comfortable on the ball than usual, caught out of position a few times but Roberts tracking back meant this wasnt a problem

P Clarke 10
Captain Courageous, looks a brilliant signing and marshalled the defence throughout, Leads by example

Butler 9
Solid as usual, and offers a real threat at corners, unlucky with a couple of headers

T Clarke 9
A very impressive display from Tom, who had it all in todays game, great tackles, simple passes lets hope he can maintain this form throughout the season.

Roberts 9
Worked hard as ever and looked dangerous throughout.

Pilkington 9
Provided the cross for Rhodes second, and goes from strength to strength

Kay 9
Scored his first for Town, and looked solid in midfield

Rhodes 10
What a signing this guy is proving to be! keep it up Jordan

Novak 9
Despite being a raw talent Novak is certainly has already secured a place in Town fans hearts, his commited displays will surely bring a Goal soon for the young man

Robinson 6
Came on for Novak, got into some brilliant positions but couldn’t finish, not quite his day, but lots of promise.

Drinkwater 7
Looked comfortable on the ball and could prove a shrewd signing come the end of the season
Looked refreshed and had some late opportunities to extend the lead

Manager Rating
Lee Clark 10 out of 10, superb attacking football in a highly entertaining Town performance.

Opponent Rating
Alan Pardew 1 out of 10. Tactically outsmarted and his players let him down.

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