The Cobblers started the game brightly and created the first chance in the 11th minute, Paul McGregor driving wide following a knock on from Sam Parkin. A minute later Martin Margetson denied Parkin and Forrester with two fantastic double saves from point blank range.
On 25 minutes Leon Knight broke through the Cobblers defence to warn of what he is capable of, shhoting just over the bar following a run from the halfway line. Unfortunately the Cobblers didn't take heed of this warning and it was Knight who opened the scoring two minues later. Danny Schofield chipped the ball over the Cobblers defence and Knight drilled the ball into the bottom corner to give the home side the lead.
At the other end Sam Parking shot just over the bar as Town looked for a way back into the game, but within five minutes the home side doubled the score. Again it was Knight who was the scorer, this time taking advantage of some generous defending, before cooly shooting into the corner of the net.
The home side then controlled the game until half time, their only scare was when Forrester had the ball in the net from six yards but the goal was ruled oyt by the lineman's flag.
|
The second half began very quietly, the first opening came on the hour when Keith Welch parried a well struck shot from Kenny Irons from 20 yards. Marco Gabbiadini and Derek Asamoah replaced Jamie Forrester and Paul McGregor as Town looked for a way back into the game. Margetson saved well from Gabbiadini in the 65th minute before Thorrington went close at the other end, dragging his shot just wide of Welch's post.
The Cobblers pressed for a late goal but it wasn't to be, Huddersfield kept every chance at bay. The main consolation for Town was that none of the other lower leagues sides managed a win, so things stay very tight at the bottom.
Editor's View
Once Huddersfield took the lead they never looked in any danger of slipping up. Town battled well but were always second best. Leon Knigh took his two goals very well and that proved to be the difference between the two sides. Now we have five games left (three at Sixfields), it's still in our own hands, but a home win against Bury on Friday is a must.
Cobblers Man of the Match
Chris Hargreaves - Battled hard through the heart of midfield.
Ref Watch
Mr Olivier was inconsistant (I get fed up of saying that)! He gave minor fouls but not blatent ones. He was the same for both sides though.
Ground
The McAlpine Stadium is one of the best I have visited. The only strange decision was to make it all ticket for Cobblers fans. In a ground holding 24000, against a team with an average home gate of 5000, it was very unusual. The away facilites were superb, seats behind the goal at a cost of £14.