Andy Ritchie's team recorded an historic win in their final away game of 2007 by winning at Cheltenham Town for the first time. The three points came courtesy of a brilliant brace from Andy Booth (pictured), whose goals either side of half-time were just rewards for an excellent performance from the Terriers.
Town lined up in their customary 4-4-2 formation as referee Singh blew his whistle to start the game, with 'keeper Matt Glennon behind a back four of Robbie Williams, David Mirfin, Nathan Clarke and Andy Holdsworth. Ronnie Wallwork and Michael Collins were the central midfield partnership, with wingers Malvin Kamara and Danny Schofield on the right and left wings respectively. Up front, the legendary Andy Booth was partnered by Phil Jevons.
Town started the game brightly, but had a bit of an early scare inside two minutes when Robbie Williams' header back to Glennon forced the custodian to collect the ball just inside his area. The 'keeper's feet were outside the box, but the assistant referee correctly adjudged that Glennon's hands were inside - but only just!
The Terriers then mustered the first shot of the game inside 9 minutes; good work from Michael Collins and Malvin Kamara allowed Andy Holdsworth to receive the ball on the overlap before cutting inside and shooting from 25 yards. The direction of his left-footed effort was good, but the shot lacked the power to severely test home 'keeper Shane Higgs.
On-loan Crawley striker Guy Madjo placed a tame header straight at Glennon after 11 minutes in Cheltenham's first shot on target.
GOAL - Town then took an early lead in the 14th minute through Andy Booth. Robbie Williams' free-kick, following a foul by David Bird on Danny Schofield, was returned to the left-back off the Cheltenham wall and he half-volleyed the ball back into the box from the right-wing where Boothy reacted quickest to volley the ball past a helpless Shane Higgs from around 8 yards out for his third goal of the season.
Williams was continuing to impress in only his third start for Town and he tested Higgs after 19 minutes with a rasping right-foot drive from fully 30 yards.
Town were well on top in the opening 25 minutes, controlling possession well and negating the threat of the home side - which mostly consisted of long passes towards the head of big left-winger Damian Spencer. Ronnie Wallwork was instrumental in midfield, providing several splendid passes out to his wingers.
Cheltenham's David Bird then saw his edge-of-the-box free-kick deflected over the bar courtesy of Andy Booth's head just before the half-hour mark as the home side tried to apply some attacking pressure, forcing a succession of corners on the Town right. Shane Duff headed a far post delivery over the bar when under heavy pressure from Booth after 34 minutes.
Ronnie Wallwork then forced Higgs to tip a powerful effort over his crossbar from fully 40 yards out two minutes later.
Malvin Kamara then did excellently after receiving a low pass from Danny Schofield inside the centre circle with ten minutes of the half left, using his pace to beat two Cheltenham men before slipping a low ball across the box that narrowly evaded Phil Jevons.
Cheltenham came back into the game in the last five minutes of the half, but never seriously troubled a solid-looking Town defence. The ball above Damian Spencer and Andy Holdsworth was still the main outlet for Keith Downing's side and although the giant former Forest Green player was winning his fair share of headers, Town were clearing up the second balls and deservedly went in ahead at the interval.
Half-Time: Cheltenham Town 0 Huddersfield Town 1
There were no changes in personnel for either side during the break, but the home side showed more endeavour in the opening minutes - striker Guy Madjo running the channels much more effectively than he did in the entire first 45.
Despite the early home pressure, Town had a decent shout for a penalty turned down after 54 minutes; Ronnie Wallwork put a deep cross in from the left wing and it looked like Andy Booth would notch his second of the game, but Alan Wright's aerial challenge from behind sent the Town striker sprawling in the box. Unfortunately for the Terriers, the referee turned down the appeals.
BOOKING - Cheltenham skipper Jerry Gill became the first player to enter Mr. Singh's book two minutes later when he brought down Danny Schofield on the left wing.
The referee was the centre of attention again a minute later, when Damian Spencer appeared to punch a Michael Collins left wing corner away at the near post; once again, the man in the middle had none of the appeals and allowed play to continue - much to the chagrin of the Town coaching staff.
SUB - Cheltenham made their first change after 59 minutes, replacing the ineffectual Madjo with Ashley Vincent. This change saw Damian Spencer become the central striker, with the substitute moving onto the left wing.
GOAL - Town then scored a brilliant goal - a second of the game for Andy Booth after 66 minutes. A big kick from Matt Glennon was brought down expertly by Booth, who immediately played it out to the left for Danny Schofield. Schofield cut inside onto his right foot and whipped in a cross to the penalty spot where Booth brilliantly directed a header into the top corner, leaving Higgs with no chance.
Matt Glennon pulled off a tremendous save to his left side from a Dean Sinclair free-kick three minutes later; referee Singh giving the foul after Dave Mirfin had held Damian Spencer. The set-piece from the edge of the box was well flighted from the Charlton Athletic loanee, but Glennon pushed the ball away with a strong left hand.
SUB - The home side then made a second change, bringing on Michael D'Agostino for Andy Lindegaard after 71 minutes.
SUB - Jonathan Worthington entered the game a minute later, replacing Malvin Kamara. Michael Collins moved over to the vacant right wing position.
Collins started well on the right side, running positively with the ball at the home defence with Worthington looking like his old combative self in the centre. Nathan Clarke was marshalling things very well at the back alongside David Mirfin.
SUB - Cheltenham's final substitution came with 7 minutes remaining, with a hobbling Shane Duff replaced by Andy Gallinagh at centre-back.
Town had a scare with five minutes remaining when Steven Gillespie broke the offside trap, but Matt Glennon was quick to react and block the striker's effort at his feet. The rebound fell to Ashley Vincent, but he put his shot wide and Andy Holdsworth was covering the goal anyway.
BOOKING - Phil Jevons caused a little bit of commotion in added time following his late challenge on Jerry Gill, but referee Singh calmed things down well and only booked the Town striker when a few of the home players wanted a red.
Huddersfield Town:
Matt Glennon, Andy Holdsworth, Michael Collins, David Mirfin, Nathan Clarke, Robbie Williams, Danny Schofield, Phil Jevons, Malvin Kamara (Jon Worthington 72), Ronnie Wallwork, Andy Booth (c)
Unused Subs: Alex Smithies, Joe Skarz, Luke Beckett, James Berrett
Cheltenham booking: Jerry Gill 54
Town booking: Phil Jevons 90
Attendance: 3,998
Visitors: 282
