Huddersfield Town 1 v 1 Oldham Athletic

Huddersfield Town story posted by Phill Rodgerson on 03/05/2003
With relegation already a certainty after a dismal season for Huddersfield Town, and a promotion placed clinched for their visitors Oldham, there was little to play for in the Terrier?s last game in Division 2. A fantastic goal from Schofield was the only thing for Town fans to cheer as the club?s future is shrouded in uncertainty, with many players out of contract and no chairman or manager to run the show.Huddersfield Town 1 v 1 Oldham Athletic

The promotion chaser?s Oldham were immediately on the attack, looking to aim for the highest spot possible. Tony Carss cross was cleared by Jason Gavin after just 5 minutes when it looked like it may land at the feet of former Town-man Clyde Wijnhard who was clearly eager to score more goals past his old club.

After being left out of Mel Machin?s team for the last few games, Kenny Irons returned in what was probably his last appearance in a blue and white shirt. However, it was probably a day to forget for the Scouser after an early mistake gave the ball away cheaply to Clyde Wijnhard. The Dutchman, through on goal, attempted a square ball but luckily for Irons he was able to recover in time to defend the cross.

Just a minute later, Town were awarded a free-kick. Danny Schofield laid it off for marksman Kenny Irons to strike. Iron?s shot was deflected wide by the Latics defence. The resulting corner was again taken by Schofield who found Andy Booth in the 6-yard box but his header was easy for goalkeeper David Miskelly to collect.

Josh Low showed frightening pace and ball-control on 12 minutes as he whisked past Adi Moses and Thomas Heary with relative ease. Fortunately for Town, his end product wasn?t as good, though, as his low pass trickled safely into the hands of Phil Senior.

Paul Murray showed his dangerous edge just moments later when he collected a ball short from the corner. After being allowed space at the edge of the area he let fly with his right foot to send a ball just over Senior?s bar.

It was Murray again who displayed his unique skill with the ball when he daintily chipped the ball over the Town defence. Having sprung the Town offside-trap David Eyres ran through on goal, but his touch was too heavy and the onrushing Phil Senior sprang it his feet to defuse the situation.

Oldham had dominated much of the first 25 minutes but a stroke of skill was enough to send Town into the lead. Danny Schofield received the ball from a throw-in and cut inside. With time to gather his thoughts he flighted a ball beautifully into the ?keeper?s top right-hand corner. An undeserved lead by Town, but a fantastic goal for Schofield!

Oldham continued to control the possession for most of the half, but rarely looked threatening in front of goal. Chances all fell to Carss, Baudet and Murray but none of the triplet were able to take advantage of their good approach work.

Unsurprisingly, it was Clyde Wijnhard who looked like getting on the score sheet for Oldham. A fantastic through-ball sent Wijnhard racing through on goal. Just as he raised his foot for the inevitable, a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Jason Gavin prevented him from gaining the goal which he craved so much.

Town nearly doubled their lead just before the strike of half-time. With great vision Martin Smith picked out a precise through-ball for young striker Jon Stead. With all the time in the world and only the ?keeper to beat Stead tried placing his shot at goal. As has been the luck with the youngster this season, the ball struck the foot of the post and bounced harmlessly wide.

Senior was called into action on 41 minutes to make a great full-stretch stop when a long ball was knocked down by Corazzin into the path of Murray. Murray caught the ball brilliantly on the half-volley but Senior was equal to the shot and managed to get across his goal to tip it wide.

Town went into the break at a goal up.

Oldham continued to enjoy their pressure with Josh Low looking dangerous down the wing and causing the Town defence numerous problems with his accurate balls into the box. Murray, always looking to get involved got on the end of one but could only send his shot over the bar from a tight angle.

Nat Brown, using his trickery in the appropriate place for once (the opposition?s area) managed to dispatch a shot goalwards. Unfortunately for the defender-turned-winger his shot was deflected wide off a defender.

Oldham?s equalising goal came on the 67th minute. A long range strike drilled low by Tony Carss nestled neatly into the back of Senior?s goal, despite the young goalkeeper being at full stretch. It was no more than Oldham deserved, but it appeared Carss was afforded too much time and space.

Oldham looked like taking the lead in the latter part of the game. After the ball had bandied about in the box from Josh Low?s free-kick it looked easier to score than miss for Julian Baudet from such close range. His strike seemed on par with all of Oldham?s other strikes in the game and sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Clyde Wijnhard frustrated his team mates by being continuously offside, much to the delight of the Town fans who were clearly expecting such antics.

Machin introduced Academy player David Mirfin on 83 minutes and it wasn?t long before he got involved in the action. Boothy?s ball to the back post on 85 minutes found Mirfin who managed to get above his marker magnificently. The dream debut-goal wasn?t to be, though, as Mirfin headed narrowly wide of the goal.

It took one last miracle-save from Phil Senior to earn Town a respectable point. A mistake by Jason Gavin allowed substitute Wane Andrews through on goal. He unleashed a powerful shot at goal, but Senior kept himself big and blocked the shot and did well to recover and retrieve the ball at the second attempt.

Teams:

Huddersfield Town


35. Philip Senior
5. Adi Moses
20. Thomas Heary
15. Jason Gavin
27. Nat Brown (Off 83)
7. Danny Schofield
8. Kenny Irons (Off 70)
6. Chris Holland
19. Martin Smith
9. Andy Booth (Cap)
14. Jon Stead (Off 90)

Subs

33. Dwayne Mattis (On 70)
42. John McCombe (On 90)
41. David Mirfin (On 83)
38. Andy Holdsworth
40. Andy Jeffery

Oldham Athletic

13. David Miskelly
21. Fitz Hall
23. Will Haining (Off 45)
29. Clint Hill (Cap)
7. Paul Murray
15. Julian Baudet
31. Tony Carss
34. Josh Low
32. Clyde Wijnhard
19. Carlo Corazzin (Off 59)
28. David Eyres (Off 82)

Subs

30. Duncan Roberts
12. Wayne Andrews (On 59)
18. Danny Boshel
3. Darren Sheridan (On 45)
17. Scott Vernon (On 82)

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