Robbie Simpson smashes hat-trick in reserves rout

Feb 18 2010 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ROBBIE SO HOT

Town coasted through much of the second period, with eager left-back Liam Ridehalgh showing well and Stephenson giving chances to substitutes Aiden Chippendale, Michael McCaffery and Ryan Watson.

Hassan was taken off 15 minutes from time to a nice round of applause from fans who appreciated his touches down the right and, by then, Town were five up thanks to Simpson taking advantage at close range after Clarke had nodded down a Williams corner on 71.

Berrett might have had a hat trick himself in front of the watching Walsall manager Chris Hutchings as Town piled on the pressure late on.

But he was fractionally off target with a rasping low drive from 18 yards and then sent a cracking effort against the bar with what proved to be the last kick of the match at AFC Emley’s Welfare Ground, where expert groundsman Raymond Chappell had the surface in excellent condition considering the bitter cold and frosty ground conditions.

It was Simpson who claimed the three-goal accolade, however, in the final minute of the match, the signing from Coventry showing all the tenacity you would expect from a hungry forward who has been short of football this season.

He used his strength and skill to hold off three close-quarter Rotherham defenders and then played a smart one-two with Berrett before firing home.

Town – Eastwood, Harris, Ridehalgh, Berrett, Pearce, Clarke, Hassan (Watson 75), Atkinson (Chippendale 70), Simpson, Spencer (McCaffery 72), Williams. Subs not used: Allinson, Powell.