Huddersfield Town 3, Oldham Athletic 2

Jan 30 2006 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Town already looked more purposeful and, when a Schofield corner was flicked on at the near post, Pawel Abbott was on hand to nod in only his second goal since mid-October.

It was a massive relief and joy for Abbott, who clenched his fists and gazed to the heavens as if a huge millstone had been removed from his neck.

If it has, then the Abbott-Graham roadshow might just rumble Town back to the top of the rankings.

Suddenly, after looking like complete no-hopers, Town had some fire and mischief in their play and a brilliant turn by Graham almost brought Abbott a second - keeper Chris Day desperately scrambling his 25-yard curler around a post.

Graham's winner - the first debut goal of his career - came on 58 minutes and had 11,000 home fans roaring their approval.

Skipper Jon Worthington, whose tackling back in the first half proved invaluable, was at the root of the move, but there still seemed little danger when Andy Holdsworth - who had a fine game and later moved into midfield following substitute Mark Hudson's ankle injury - rolled a pass inside.

Graham had other ideas, however, and with a quick swivel on the 18-yard line he got the whole defence unbalanced before unleasing a dipping left-footer into the corner.

It was a piece of skill so far removed from what had been seen before that everyone was left pinching themselves - and sorry Oldham knew in that instant that they'd blown it.

Town's fans weren't slow in reminding them, either, because they really should have made more of their first-half power.

Town were simply shocking and clearly missed the aerial presence of Andy Booth at both ends of the pitch.