Match Report: Huddersfield Town 4 Walsall 3

Apr 14 2010 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield Town v Walsall

TOWN claimed victory with a last-gasp Lee Novak strike after being rocked by 10-man Walsall in an amazing Galpharm showdown.

Lee Clark’s side seemed to be cruising when Jordan Rhodes put them two up in first-half stoppage time after Theo Robinson had opened the scoring with the 22nd-minute penalty which led to the sending off of visiting skipper Mark Hughes for a professional foul.

But the Midlanders turned the game on its head in the most unlikely fashion, with Troy Deeney’s double and a super strike by substitute Alex Nicholls in the 83rd minute.

Lee Clark’s side looked destined for a damaging defeat, but Antony Kay forced home a header from Anthony Pilkington’s 90th-minute corner to level the scores.

Then Novak, playing for the first time in six games after a knee injury, sent the stadium wild by shooting home from 16 yards two minutes into time added on.

It was an astonishing finale to a real roller-coaster of a clash, and the value of the three points was emphasised by news that rivals Colchester had lost 1-0 at Charlton.

Town made two changes, bringing in central midfielder Kay and winger Pilkington for James Berrett and Michael Collins, who is sidelined after finger surgery.

It was Kay’s first start in seven matches after a loss of form and suspension, while Pilkington returned after an ankle injury kept him out against Brentford.

Lee Peltier was ruled out by his ankle problem, with Tom Clarke again deputising at right-back.

Walsall, who came from behind to beat Town 2-1 in the Midlands with a winner from Galpharm old boy Dwayne Mattis back in September, were making their 16th visit to Huddersfield – but still seeking their first win!

As well as Mattis, Holme Valley-based boss Chris Hutchings, himself an ex-Town player, included two others in left-back Jamie Vincent and midfielder Steve Jones.

There was a nervy moment for home supporters in the eighth minute, when Mark Hughes’ powerful header from Julian Gray’s corner was well saved by Alex Smithies only for Darren Byfield to force home the rebound.

However, the striker had clearly used his hand, and was booked for his actions.

Town’s first effort didn’t come until the 12th minute, with Gary Roberts shooting wide from distance, but it sparked a flurry of home chances.