Huddersfield Town 2 - 1 Brighton: Examiner match report

Dec 13 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

JAMIE McCOMBE enjoyed another goal-den moment to leave Town supporters jumping for joy.

Every time the big defender has scored, his side have won, and this hard-fought triumph over the League I leaders was one of the best victories of the season to date.

After all, the Seagulls had lost just twice previously, and must have fancied their chances after Glenn Murray, having had a first-half penalty saved by the excellent Alex Smithies, put them ahead nine minutes after the restart.

Town, however, conjured a quick response, with top scorer Jordan Rhodes heading his 12th goal of the campaign.

Then, in the 84th minute, another Gary Roberts free-kick had Brighton scrambling and when Joey Gudjonsson’s shot was deflected into the air, McCombe pounced.

As Danish keeper Casper Ankergren, who never had the best of times at the Galpharm when he came with Leeds, fished the ball out of the net for the second time, McCombe savoured his fifth goal in Town colours.

It took some stout defending to seal a third successive Town win, with Smithies punching Elliott Bennett’s dangerous-looking cross clear then saving Gordon Greer’s header.

And Brighton’s frustration spilled over as players squared up to each other in a series if mini skirmishes after the final whistle.

But staff from both clubs were quick to step in and shepherd their players off the pitch.

This always looked likely to be a tight affair, and after Town had bossed the opening exchanges, forcing four corners in the first four minutes, Gus Poyet’s side were able to show their attacking prowess, with Murray and Bennett linking neatly.

On-loan West Brom striker Chris Wood drove a low shot wide under pressure from Peter Clarke, then volleyed Liam Bridcutt’s floated free-kick onto the roof of the net, before McCombe served warning of his aerial power with a 20th-minute header which Ankergren held low.

Marcos Painter then had a shot blocked, and while Murray brought a fine save from Smithies only to be pulled up for being offside, Brighton’s attacking intentions were clear.

There were howls of protest from the home faithful when referee Andy Haines waved away penalty claims after Joe Garner went down under Adam El-Abd’s challenge.