Match report: Millwall 2 - 0 Huddersfield Town
May 19 2010 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Millwall v Huddersfield Town
TOWN’S promotion hopes were ended as their finishing touch deserted then on a night of misery at Millwall.
The Lions scored in each half to seal a League I play-off final showdown with Swindon at Wembley on Saturday week.
And after netting 100 goals in all competitions in the regular season, Town were left to rue their inability to score in either leg of the play-off semi-final.
It spelled a dismal trip home for Lee Clark, his players and Town’s loyal band of travelling fans, who gave great backing in one of football’s most hostile environments.
Tom Clarke’s knee injury meant an enforced change to the side which started Saturday’s goalless first leg.
Robbie Williams came in at left-back, with Lee Peltier reverting to his natural berth on the right.
Jim Goodwin, restored to the squad following his return from a loan stint at Oldham, was among the substitutes.
Millwall fielded former Town winger Danny Schofield, who missed the Galpharm tie because of a calf strain.
The atmosphere was red-hot as the game kicked off, and Town were soon busy defending.
Paul Robinson glanced a header wide from a Neil Harris cross before Alex Smithies held Steve Morison’s effort from Scott Barron’s free-kick.
The Town keeper was in action again in the 15th minute, getting down well to push Jimmy Abdou’s well-struck 20-yard shot for a corner.
Town’s first attack of note had come four minutes earlier, Neal Trotman heading wide from an Anthony Pilkington centre.
And as Lee Clark’s side started to get more of a grip on the game, Millwall had an escape when Lee Novak’s shot deflected off Abdou, forcing keeper David Forde to react smartly.
Then, on 22 minutes, Danny Drinkwater played in Pilkington. His shot was blocked before Novak’s follow-up effort was parried by Forde.
Just when Town seemed to have weathered the home side’s early storm, they were prised open in the 23rd minute.
Schofield broke down the right as Tony Craig’s flighted long ball evaded the jumping Williams and pulled back a low cross.
Smithies forced the ball out, but it landed perfectly for Morison, who made no mistake, chalking up his 23rd goal of the season with a firm shot.
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