Huddersfield Town 4-2 Yeovil Town - Match Report

Huddersfield Town story posted by Sean Makin on 19/09/2010
Huddersfield Town's victory over Yeovil Town was as they say a game of two halves. After going 2-0 down in the first half, the Terriers came storming back in the second half to win 4-2 with big defender Jamie McCombe netting twice.Huddersfield Town 4-2 Yeovil Town - Match Report
McCombe, the 6ft 5ins summer signing from Bristol City, scored twice in two minutes to help send Huddersfield Town to the top of Npower League One. Boss Lee Clark had mentioned in the last home game, a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, that his team are like Jekyll and Hyde and this game was another prime example.

The Terriers were simply awful in the first half and Yeovil scored twice in the first 15 minutes through Dean Bowditch and Paul Huntington to race into a two goal lead. Whatever Lee Clark said at half-time worked as Town were transformed in the second half and looked like scoring with every attack, throwing on Joey Gudjonsson after the break was an inspired substitution.

The Terriers made a couple of changes from the 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient the previous week. Lee Peltier, playing against his previous club, was back after a family bereavement and was preferred at left-back to youngster Liam Ridehalgh. Lee Novak was given his first start of the season in place of Joe Garner, who was on the bench alongside Town's top scorer Jordan Rhodes.

As mentioned earlier, Town were simply abysmal in the first half. Passing was woeful and the defence were at a different game. The warning signs were there as early as the 5th minute when Bowditch broke clear from the Town defence only a challenge from Peter Clarke stopped the ex-Ipswich striker from having a shot at goal.

But the Glovers did take the lead four minutes later, Craig Alcock's cross from the right deflected of Graham Carey and fell nicely for Bowditch who slotted a smart turning volley into the net as the Town defence were caught ball watching.

Just six minutes later the Terriers found themselves 2-0 down when Gavin Williams' free kick caught the Town defence napping and Paul Huntington fired in at the far post.

Clark had got his formation wrong and with Town looking dyer in the first half Peltier moved over to his normal position at right-back, Carey was pushed from left-wing to left-back and Scott Arfield was moved in centre midfield. The Terriers first half performance made Yeovil look good. The changes on the pitch didn't pay immediate dividends but after the break with Lee Clark's words ringing in their ears, Town turned on the style.

Arfield scored just after the break, Yeovil failed to clear their lines and Arfield cracked a half volley from the edge of the area into the net with Henderson rooted to the spot.

Alan Lee was denied his first goal for the Terriers by Henderson after great work from Arfield and the debutant keeper Henderson held on to Peltier's drive.

Damien Johnson fired wide and Arfield had a penalty appeal for a clear handball turned down by referee David Foster. Minutes later Peter Clarke went down for a challenge which looked another clear-cut penalty but against Foster waved off Town's claims.

Roberts showed brilliant skill as he turned the Yeovil defender inside out to set up Lee but the big striker saw his diving header rattle the crossbar. The ex-Crystal Palace striker was has been unlucky not to register his first goal for the Terriers.

McCombe levelled in the 66th minute when he headed home Carey's cross after a short free kick and two minutes later the big defender showed composure any striker would be proud of as he held off the Yeovil defender to turn and slot the ball into the bottom corner.

Yeovil sub Luke Ayling was then adjudged to have handled Arfield's flicked header in the box and Roberts made no mistake with the penalty to seal the win for the Terriers.

Huddersfield Town showed great character to come back from 2-0 down and such an awful first 45 minute showing to come back and win the game. Credit should be given to Lee Clark to ring the changes bringing on Gudjonsson and pushing Arfield back into the midfield made the difference. On the other side of the coin, Town shouldn't be finding themselves 2-0 down especially at home and to a average League One team, no offence to Yeovil Town and their fans.

Sean's Star Man - Jamie McCombe
Boom Boom Jamie McCombe. Has to be given just for that second goal McCombe scored, brilliantly held off the defender and found the bottom corner. Must be our emergency striker this season. Credit should also be given to Scott Arfield, who had another impressive performance in blue and white colours.

Teams:

Town: Smithies, Arfield, McCombe, P Clarke, Peltier, Roberts, Johnson, Kay (Gudjonsson 46), Carey (Ridehalgh 89), Lee (Rhodes 67), Novak.
Subs not used: Bennett, Garner, Pilkington, Croft.

Yeovil: Henderson, Alcock, Huntington, Virgo, Smith, MacDonald, Tudor Jones (Freeman 76), G Williams (Upson 90), Welsh (Ayling 59), A Williams, Bowditch.
Subs not used: Stam, Calver, Gibson.

Referee: David Foster (Tyne & Wear)
Attendance: 13,479

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