A Luke Beckett inspired-Town recorded a great victory on one of their longest away trips of the season on a chilly February afternoon thanks to a first-half penalty from the former Oldham striker and an early second-half strike from Michael Collins. Town defended solidly throughout and were well worth their third clean sheet and third victory in a row against a toothless Yeovil side.
Town started the game in a 4-4-2 formation with goalkeeper Matt Glennon protected by a back four of Robbie Williams, Nathan Clarke, the dominant Robert Page and Frank Sinclair. Michael Collins and Danny Schofield occupied the right and left wings respectively either side of the central partnership of Captain Jon Worthington and Andy Holdsworth. Up front, Phil Jevons made only his second return to Huish Park since leaving Yeovil in the summer of 2006; he was partnered by Luke Beckett.
The brighter start was made by the Terriers, with Danny Schofield really getting at Yeovil's ex-Liverpool right-back Lee Peltier. Rob Page was as strong in the air as ever, beating big striker Lloyd Owusu and Glovers skipper Terry Skiverton to several early headers.
However, Yeovil should have opened the scoring on the stroke of eight minutes. Nathan Clarke misplaced a defensive header straight into the path of left-winger Zoltan Stiebler, who cleverly slid a pass to Owusu. The former Brentford man was in space in the area, but was denied by an excellent save from Matt Glennon who pushed the ball away to his right side.
Phil Jevons' scuffed shot in the 12th minute was met by ironic jeers from the fans behind the goal, who had once cheered on the Liverpudlian striker. His chance came from a Robbie Williams free-kick that was only half cleared by the home defence.
Luke Beckett was doing an excellent job of holding the ball up for Town despite the close attentions of the physical Skiverton, but gradually the Glovers started to press the away goal. Owusu was clearly the target-man for Yeovil and most of their good play started with him.
A scrappy period ensued with neither side creating any chances until Town were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute penalty. A Robbie Williams corner from the left hand side went into the near post where referee Beeby adjudged that Skiverton handled in front of Robert Page. The corner came around after a good passing move from Town, resulting in Holdsworth winning a corner from Terrell Forbes.
GOAL - The ever-reliable Luke Beckett steppedup and sent 'keeper Mildenhall the wrong way to give the Terriers a one goal lead. The penalty was Beckett's ninth goal of the current campaign.
BOOKED - Robbie Williams became the first player to enter the referee's book three minutes later for a late challenge on Lee Peltier.
Town then went close to scoring a second a minute later; Danny Schofield beating Peltier again before sliding a low cross to Beckett, whose one-touch layoff found Jevons on the edge of the box. Unfortunately for the traveling fans, Jevons' placed effort was saved by Steve Mildenhall.
Yeovil then tested Matt Glennon with a free-kick on the stroke of the half-hour. Clarke's foul on Owusu 40-yards out allowed Marc Bircham to pick out the head of the miniscule Peters, who put his effort straight into the arms of the Town custodian from eight yards.
Ritchie's side always looked dangerous on the break despite the hosts enjoying a slight majority of possession. Beckett's run down the channels were ever-effective and a great outlet for the Town defence.
Left-winger Stiebler made space for himself by drifting inside with ten minutes of the half left and his slide-rule pass from just behind the Town midfield found Owusu unmarked inside the box; however, Rob Page came charging across to make a vital block just as the striker tried his luck.
The former Coventry defender was at his brilliant best - one strong but fair challenge on Andy Kirk with six minutes of the half remaining really getting to the home fans despite its legality.
One brilliant break from Town after 41 minutes created a golden opportunity for Beckett to break into double figures for the season. Andy Holdsworth robbed a Yeovil midfielder of the ball in his own half and the Town man advanced before sliding the ball out wide to Schofield; the lively winger beat a defender on the outside before sliding the ball to Beckett, whose shot on the turn from only 7 yards was brilliantly blocked by the goalkeeper.
The last action of the half saw Skiverton head a Stiebler free-kick well over the bar and Town went into the interval a goal to the good after an even opening 45 minutes.
Half-Time: Yeovil Town 0 Huddersfield Town 1
The Terriers were attacking the away end in the second-half and started brightly, with Andy Holdsworth making a few good challenges in midfield areas. There was almost a replica of the winning FA Cup goal at Oldham the previous weekend in the 50th minute, but Luke Beckett's header from a Clarke long-throw drifted just wide of the far post with Mildenhall beaten.
GOAL - Town did score a second a minute later through midfielder Michael Collins. Luke Beckett collected a header from the Irishman on his chest and ran across the field towards the right wing before returning a pass to Collins, who had run into the gap that Beckett had created. The Academy graduate steadied himself before placing the ball between the 'keepers legs and celebrating in front of the travelling support.
Terry Skiverton tried to lead the Yeovil fight-back and probably should have done better with a header from another Stiebler free-kick two minutes later.
Luke Beckett showed great speed of foot to turn his marker and get a shot in that was blocked by the legs of Mildenhall inside the box on the hour mark.
BOOKED - On the break immediately following Beckett's chance, Andy Holdsworth made a challenge that stopped play and was booked.
SUB - Huddersfield legend Marcus Stewart was brought on for Lloyd Owusu after 68 minutes as Russell Slade tried to change things.
Despite the introduction of the creative striker, Town were looking solid in defence. Page and Clarke were marshalling things very well at the back and were holding a good high line that was restricting the Yeovil midfielders of time on the ball.
SUB - Yeovil made a second change after 63 minutes, replacing Marc Bircham with Anthony Barry.
Immediately the Glovers had a penalty appeal rejected as Barry went down under a Town challenge off the ball in the box. This move ended with Stewart drifting a left-foot shot over the box from around 25 yards out.
Phil Jevons then went on a great solo run for the Terriers, collecting a Beckett knock-down on the left wing before advancing, cutting inside and forcing the 'keeper to tip his curling effort around the post with 25 minutes remaining.
Yeovil then enjoyed a good spell of possession and started to put a few balls into the Town box. Right-winger Peters was an apparent focus of the home play, but Robbie Williams was dealing with the Canadian international well.
SUB - Russell Slade made his final change after 74 minutes, replacing Peters with Marvin Williams.
SUB - Andy Ritchie then made a substitution, bringing on Malvin Kamara for Phil Jevons after 77 minutes. The speedy Sierra Leone international went straight into Jevons' striking spot.
All eleven of Town's players were working incredibly hard to close the opposition down as the game moved into the final stages. Nathan Clarke blocked a Stewart volley before the ex-Town man curled an effort over from the edge of the box with only 7 minutes remaining.
SUB - As Town looked to see out the final minutes, Luke Beckett was replaced by Andy Booth in the 87th minute. It had been one of Beckett's finest performances this season but the legendary striker would help to hold the ball up in the final stages.
Andy Holdsworth tried a long shot from 35 yards a minute later, but Mildenhall saved easily.
The best Yeovil could manage in the final minutes was one looping header from Kirk that Glennon gathered in easily and in truth Town looked as solid defensively as they have in the previous two games.
Huddersfield Town
Matt Glennon, Andy Holdsworth, Michael Collins, Nathan Clarke, Jonathan Worthington (c), Robbie Williams, Danny Schofield, Frank Sinclair, Phil Jevons (Malvin Kamara 77), Luke Beckett (Andy Booth 87), Robert Page
Unused Substitutes: Alex Smithies, David Mirfin, James Berrett
Booked: Robbie Williams 26, Andy Holdsworth 67
