Match Report: Huddersfield Town 1 Millwall 0

Apr 17 2010 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield Town v Millwall

PETER CLARKE powered Town a step closer to the League I play-offs – and provided the perfect 44th birthday present for owner-chairman Dean Hoyle.

The skipper’s first-half header was enough to separate the sides in front of the Sky Sports cameras, and give sixth-placed Town their first win over a side in the top five this season.

As well as doing arch-rivals Leeds a big favour, Town’s win increased the chances of a Millwall rematch should Lee Clark’s side make the play-offs.

They are now six points clear of seventh-placed Colchester, who are at Hartlepool today and have still to come to the Galpharm.

Colchester boss Aidy Boothroyd was at last night’s game, while Town chief Lee Clark will watch Colchester today.

Town had Lee Peltier back after two games out with an ankle injury, but he was in the unfamiliar position of left rather than right-back, with Australian World Cup hopeful Dean Heffernan absent because of a leg problem.

It meant a wasted trip to Huddersfield for Graham Arnold, assistant coach of the Aussie national team.

Millwall were missing on-loan Ipswich midfielder Liam Trotter (hamstring) and left veteran striker Neil Harris on the bench, with Marc Laird and Chris Hackett coming into the team.

Boss Kenny Jackett was forced to make a fourth-minute change after an injury to Shaun Batt.

On-loan Tottenham striker Jon Obika came on, and flashed a shot across the face of goal soon after.

Other than a low shot by Hackett which was deflected for a corner, it was to be Millwall’s only attack of note in the first half.

Town, with Gary Roberts to the fore, were playing some slick stuff, and had a penalty shout in the 10th minute, when the winger crossed, although it seemed to be a case of ball to right-back Jack Smith’s hand.