Huddersfield Town 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0
Another wonder strike from Anthony Pilkington was enough to guide Lee Clark’s side into the automatic promotion places in League One with the rest of this round of matches to be played later in the day. In a first half that was a joy to watch and a fantastic advert for league football outside the top flight both keepers showed real class.
Wednesday’s Nicky Weaver and Huddersfield’s highly rated young stopper Alex Smithies were regularly called into action during an end to end opening forty five. The latter, who is thought to be being tracked by Premier League sides, showed bravery in coming off his line and getting it right every time, whilst the Owls keeper looks finally to have overcome the horrific knee injury that so very nearly cut short his career.
The home side should have been awarded a very early penalty after Wednesday forward Clinton Morrison blatantly handled from a Huddersfield corner, but referee Michael Oliver waved away the appeal. The match official also seemed reluctant to get out his cards during the game, but a couple of challengers and incidents from both sides merited more severe punishments than just handing the opposition an advantage. Antony Kay’s second half shove on Neil Mellor definitely deserved a booking.
Pilkington who popped up on both flanks throughout came inside from the left around ten minutes in and drew a fine save from Weaver before his winner which came from the opposite side. With less than half an hour played he drifted in from the right, was allowed the opportunity to shoot and curled a left foot shot that dipped over the keeper. Wednesday left back Tommy Spur did not track his man and it cost them dear.
The visitors also pressured early with defender Mark Beevers hitting the post with a header from a corner. Neil Mellor seems revitalised in an Owls shirt, showing a willingness to drift into wide areas and were it not for the inspired Smithies between the home side’s sticks he may well have capped an encouraging display with a goal. Clinton Morrison remains a sharp striker and had he timed his runs just marginally better Wednesday could have rescued a point at least. You would’ve thought the visitors might have exploited the inexperienced Liam Ridehalgh who lined up at left back for the Terriers, but they didn’t.
On loan Kevin Kilbane added a real touch of quality to the middle of the park for Huddersfield. A central midfield birth has not been a position he has found himself in much during recent years, but his distribution remains top draw. The passing from Ireland’s most capped outfield player was a cut above League One and he certainly looks as though he can add extra impetus to the Terriers’ title push. The string of saves made by Smithies in goal will cause his stock to rise further and Clark certainly has his young keeper to thank for his part in the win.
Lee Novak game a master class in centre forward hold up play today. His lay-offs led to a number of home side chances for Scott Arfield and Kilbane breaking from midfield. Perhaps he is learning from experienced campaigner Alan Lee who made an appearance from the bench. The openness and tempo of the first half could not be matched after the break when the game became a feistier affair with both managers clearly impressing upon their players the need to close down.
The Terriers held on and continued their excellent record of taking points off their fellow title contenders with today’s victory. In light of this there is absolutely no guarantee that the biggest three clubs in the division, namely the Owls, Southampton and Charlton, will seal a return to the Championship. The emergence of Brighton as a force under Gus Poyet also makes this promotion race a thoroughly exciting and dynamic story that will play itself out over the next five months.
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