Roberts Secures First Win For New Town Boss
Huddersfield Town story posted by Sean Makin on 22/12/2008
Lee Clark's first game in charge of Town started with a win against lowly Hereford United, the first manager since Ian Ross back in 1992 to win their first game in charge. It wasn't all plain sailing as thanks to young goalkeeper Alex Smithies who earned the man of the match performance by keeping Hereford at bay.
New manager Clark along with new assistant manager Terry McDermott, coach Derek Fazackerely and Steve Black was unveiled to the Town crowd before kick off.
Clark brought back striker Keigan Parker back into the starting 11 after a three match ban, Smithies was preferred in goal after saving a penalty against Southend the previous week. Clark used the 3-5-2 formation that had worked so well for caretaker Gerry Murphy and coach Graham Mitchell. Robbie Williams came in at left wing back for the injured Joe Skarz.
For an hour Hereford had looked anything but a struggling side that was boasting one win on the road so far this season as they defended in depth to frustrate Town, whose passing game was class but could not break down the Hereford backline. In the first half though Town took control with the half time break probably coming at the worst time possible.
Hereford couldn't get out their own half as the midfield held strong with Parker and Gary Roberts causing problems with their pace.
Roberts brought a fingertip save from the Bulls keeper Craig Samson, Jim Goodwin fired over for the edge of the area after a poor clearance from the Hereford penalty area.
The Bulls keeper Samson was proving hard to beat, two superb saves from equally two superb headers from Robbie Williams.
A frustrated Town went in at the break wondering how they had not scored and the Town faithful were anticipating the break through would be made after a Lee Clark pep talk.
But Hereford's veteran boss Graham Turner somehow conjured a fresh attitude in his side and they took control after the break only for Andy Williams to come unstuck against a in-form Alex Smithies. Lionel Ainsworth finished wildly when he too could have changed the whole outcome for the struggling Bulls.
Hereford's wingers Matty Done and Lionel Ainsworth were causing allsorts of problems down the flanks for Town in which Clark had to reshuffle from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2, Clark's introduction of Phil Jevons and Danny Cadamarteri proved to be telling moves.
Moments after Hereford had a penalty turned down, Andy Williams was brought down by Andy Butler, Town went up the other end and scored on 70 minutes.
Cadamarteri's cross caused an untidy mess in the goalmouth and Town defender Nathan Clarke was on hand to slam the ball into the net from 6 yards out.
Hereford's assistant manager John Trewick was then banished to the stands by referee David Webb after Trewick had overly protested to the forth official over Butler's challenge on Williams inside the Town penalty area
Seven minutes later it was poetry in motion as Roberts weaved through, exchanging passes twice with Jevons, then guiding a low shot past Samson to put Town into a two goal lead with his seventh goal of the season.
Clark was delighted with his team's efforts and praised caretaker manager Gerry Murphy and Graham Mitchell for installing belief into the Town players.
Clark also identified that he wants to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window and has his eye on a few possible targets.
On the performance thought Clark should look at the defence, if Hereford were more clinical in front of the goal they could have snatched a draw or even a win. Should they bring in a striker that can score goals then Hereford will have a fighting chance of staying in this division.
Sean's Star Man - Alex Smithies Made some crucial saves to keep Town in the game and thoroughly deserved his man of the match award.
Teams:
Town: Smithies, N Clarke, Berrett (Jevons 59), Butler, Holdsworth, Craney (Cadamarteri 66), Goodwin, Collins, R Williams, Roberts, Parker (Worthington 90).
Subs not used: Glennon, T Clarke.
Hereford: Samson, Rose, Gowling, Beckwith, Taylor, Ainsworth, Diagouraga, Smith, Done (Chadwick 86), Guinan, A Williams (Johnson 80)
Subs not used: Broadhurst, Threlfall, Gwynne.
Referee: Mr D Webb ( Co. Durham)
Attendance: 13,070
New manager Clark along with new assistant manager Terry McDermott, coach Derek Fazackerely and Steve Black was unveiled to the Town crowd before kick off.
Clark brought back striker Keigan Parker back into the starting 11 after a three match ban, Smithies was preferred in goal after saving a penalty against Southend the previous week. Clark used the 3-5-2 formation that had worked so well for caretaker Gerry Murphy and coach Graham Mitchell. Robbie Williams came in at left wing back for the injured Joe Skarz.
For an hour Hereford had looked anything but a struggling side that was boasting one win on the road so far this season as they defended in depth to frustrate Town, whose passing game was class but could not break down the Hereford backline. In the first half though Town took control with the half time break probably coming at the worst time possible.
Hereford couldn't get out their own half as the midfield held strong with Parker and Gary Roberts causing problems with their pace.
Roberts brought a fingertip save from the Bulls keeper Craig Samson, Jim Goodwin fired over for the edge of the area after a poor clearance from the Hereford penalty area.
The Bulls keeper Samson was proving hard to beat, two superb saves from equally two superb headers from Robbie Williams.
A frustrated Town went in at the break wondering how they had not scored and the Town faithful were anticipating the break through would be made after a Lee Clark pep talk.
But Hereford's veteran boss Graham Turner somehow conjured a fresh attitude in his side and they took control after the break only for Andy Williams to come unstuck against a in-form Alex Smithies. Lionel Ainsworth finished wildly when he too could have changed the whole outcome for the struggling Bulls.
Hereford's wingers Matty Done and Lionel Ainsworth were causing allsorts of problems down the flanks for Town in which Clark had to reshuffle from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2, Clark's introduction of Phil Jevons and Danny Cadamarteri proved to be telling moves.
Moments after Hereford had a penalty turned down, Andy Williams was brought down by Andy Butler, Town went up the other end and scored on 70 minutes.
Cadamarteri's cross caused an untidy mess in the goalmouth and Town defender Nathan Clarke was on hand to slam the ball into the net from 6 yards out.
Hereford's assistant manager John Trewick was then banished to the stands by referee David Webb after Trewick had overly protested to the forth official over Butler's challenge on Williams inside the Town penalty area
Seven minutes later it was poetry in motion as Roberts weaved through, exchanging passes twice with Jevons, then guiding a low shot past Samson to put Town into a two goal lead with his seventh goal of the season.
Clark was delighted with his team's efforts and praised caretaker manager Gerry Murphy and Graham Mitchell for installing belief into the Town players.
Clark also identified that he wants to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window and has his eye on a few possible targets.
On the performance thought Clark should look at the defence, if Hereford were more clinical in front of the goal they could have snatched a draw or even a win. Should they bring in a striker that can score goals then Hereford will have a fighting chance of staying in this division.
Sean's Star Man - Alex Smithies Made some crucial saves to keep Town in the game and thoroughly deserved his man of the match award.
Teams:
Town: Smithies, N Clarke, Berrett (Jevons 59), Butler, Holdsworth, Craney (Cadamarteri 66), Goodwin, Collins, R Williams, Roberts, Parker (Worthington 90).
Subs not used: Glennon, T Clarke.
Hereford: Samson, Rose, Gowling, Beckwith, Taylor, Ainsworth, Diagouraga, Smith, Done (Chadwick 86), Guinan, A Williams (Johnson 80)
Subs not used: Broadhurst, Threlfall, Gwynne.
Referee: Mr D Webb ( Co. Durham)
Attendance: 13,070
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