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Two goals from impressive dangerman Gary Taylor-Fletcher and an opener from tricky winger Danny Schofield sealed an important 3 points at Boundary Park today, in front of around 1000 travelling supporters who made the journey. A must win game for the Terriers, if not just to put to rest the unhappy memories from last week. The game was also noteable for Town's solid clean sheet, and for Oldham being reduced to 10 men shortly after Town's first goal when Paul Warne blatantly felled Andy Holdsworth with the use of his elbow.

Town started with just one change to the starting line-up, former Oldham man Tony Carss taking the place of youngster Micheal Collins in the centre of midfield. Despite making recoveries recently, neither Andy Booth or Adnan Ahmed made the bench.

The first 12 minutes of the game passed slowly. Both sides failed to gain any real purchase on the game, and cancelled eachother out in midfield. It was the home side who threatened first, through marksman Killeen. Wellens neatly played Killeen through on goal. Uncharacteristically, he wasted the effort from only 6 yards out. The goal wouldn't have stood anyway, as Killeen was adjudged to have been offside.

Less than a minute later Nathan Clarke slipped, allowing Killeen through on goal. Thankfully, Tom Clarke was on hand and expertly shielded the ball away from the attackers. That wasn't the end of this action packed sequence for Tom. Only seconds later, Liddell rounded Rachubka and looked certain to score, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Clarke, who launched himself across the goal.

The match so far had lacked any real rhythm, but Town soon began to take it by the scruff of the neck. Town's first real opportunity falling on 21 minutes to Taylor-Fletcher, shooting from long range over the bar. Just 4 minutes later, interplay between Abbott and Schofield saw Tony Carss presented with an opportunity 6 yards out which was unfortunately charged down by the Latics' defence. It didn't matter much, as within a matter of seconds Town had taken the lead. A fanastic run by Worthington saw the combative midfielder sting the hands of keeper Day, who say his parry fall into the path of Schofield. Danny made no mistake with no keeper to beat, slotting home his 3rd of the season.

The Latics' supporters were in outrage after 30 minutes when Paul Warne was dismissed for a blatant elbow to Andy Holdsworth's face. Town now faced 10 men for the 5th time this season. Town capitalised and 7 minutes later doubled their lead. Danny Schofield turned provider this time, sending a cross towards the back post where it was met by Taylor-Fletcher who dispatched his 1st league goal of the season, looping his header past Chris Day

An incident off the ball resulted in a scrap between members of the opposing teams after 41 minutes, when it appeared that Nathan Clarke had raised his hands towards on Oldham player, who theatrically went to ground. Nothing came of the incident.

Half Time
Oldham Athletic 0 - 2 Huddersfield Town

Pawel Abbott recalled memories of a 30 yard shot against Bristol City a few weeks ago which had unluckily cannoned away off the crossbar, by repeating it against Oldham. Abbott's deft skill and shot deserved a goal, and the Polish striker was very unlucky not to get Town's 3rd of the match. Pav had another half-chance moments later when he connected with a Carss freekick, His header proved an easy save for Day. Abbott was in the thick of the action on 61 minutes, when, after collecting a pass from Taylor-Fletcher, drove into the penalty area and hit a stinging strike which was well saved at the keepers' near post.

The following 10 minutes were dominated largely by Oldham, who threw caution to the wind by introducing Chris Porter and former Town loanee Luke Beckett, who bagged 6 in 7 last season for the Terriers. In the midst of this, it was Porter who wasted the home team's best chance on 64 minutes, heading over when unmarked only 6 yards out.

Just when Town needed a goal to settle the match they got one. A lovely one-two between Abbott and Taylor-Fletcher, already developing an understanding, saw the latter clean through. Fletch made no mistake, and fired home with confidence to send the 3 points back across the Pennines to Huddersfield.

In the closing minutes Luke Beckett caused problems with a snap-shop which was saved by Rachubka, and Junior Mendes was introduced for Town, who struck an effort which whistled over the bar after 89 minutes had passed.

Full Time
Oldham Athletic 0 - 3 Huddersfield Town

The perfect tonic for a Town side who played some really good football and showed that they aren't afraid to battle for a win. Some of the moves that Town players put together were great to see, and if we can continue with the same positives from this game throughout the season, Town should be up there come May. Hopefully, Town can begin to cut out some of the complacency which saw the near second half comebacks against Doncaster and Hartlepool, the same complacency that nearly let Oldham back into todays game. All in all though, a great performance and a deserved win.

Man of the match goes to Tom Clarke, just ahead of Danny Schofield and Gary Taylor-Fletcher, for a solid and assured performance at the back, showing just why he's been picked for the England U19's.


Oldham Athletic
C Day, T Forbes, R Scott, G Owen, M Tierney, A Liddell, R Wellens, M Bonner, R Butcher (62 C Porter) , C Killen (70 L Beckett) , P Warne
Subs: D Eyres, C Porter, L Beckett, P Edwards, T Smith

Huddersfield Town
P Rachubka, A Holdsworth, N Clarke, T Clarke, D Adams, C Brandon, T Carss (90 M Collins) , J Worthington, D Schofield, P Abbott, G Taylor-Fletcher (81 J Mendes)
Subs: M Hudson, J McCombe, J Mendes, P Senior, M Collins

Ref: C Foy
Att: 6803