Town won their final game of 2008 against promotion-chasing Scunthorpe at the Galpharm Stadium today. Lee Clark's side battled well and took a deserved second half lead through former Iron Jim Goodwin after a spell of pressure before sealing the three points with a late goal from Gary Roberts as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.
Lee Clark deployed his team in a new 4-4-2 formation, with goalkeeper Smithies protected by a back four of Williams, Butler, Nathan Clarke and skipper Holdsworth at right-back. Collins and Goodwin formed a new central midfield two with wingers Roberts and Cadamarteri on either side, leaving Parker to partner Jevons up front.
Town started the game in vibrant fashion and it took a good block from right-back Byrne to deny Robbo an early shot at goal after a clever pass from Keigan Parker had released the winger into the Scunthorpe penalty area.
On the stroke of 3 minutes, midfielder Togwell had to be similarly alert to block a Parker shot behind for a corner and from that Roberts set-piece, Nathan Clarke's strong header was cleared off the line at the near post by an Iron defender.
BOOKING - Referee Miller got his notebook out as early as the 10th minute to caution Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy for dissent - the custodian having protested too strenuously after the linesman gave an incorrect decision.
Scunthorpe then got a foothold in the game and big striker Ben May rose above Clarke to head a right wing corner from McCann over the bar in the 12th minute.
A minute later, May had the ball in the Town net; after Alex Smithies failed to collect a strong McCann drive, the former Millwall man collected the loose ball before sliding it past the Town custodian. However, he was correctly given offside by the assistant referee.
The game was being played at a frantic pace by both teams and the next chance in the 18th minute fell Town's way; a massive right-sided long throw from Clarke dropped to Phil Jevons ten yards from goal, who volleyed narrowly over the bar when at full stretch.
Scunthorpe replied by striking the post a minute later - dangerous striker Hooper holding up the ball well in the area before laying it off to midfielder Togwell, who rattled a fierce drive against the woodwork from twenty yards out.
Midfielder Grant McCann sent a 25-yard free kick well over the bar in the 26th minute after Goodwin pushed McCann over during a Scunthorpe raid.
BOOKING - MidfielderMatt Sparrow became the second booking of the game a minute later after a late tackle on Jim Goodwin.
BOOKING - Keigan Parker was then booked for a very similar tackle on Andrew Wright along the touchline just before the half hour, with the full-backs audible wail drawing jeers from the Antich Stand.
Nathan Clarke then headed over another Roberts corner in the 36th minute, with the ball marginally behind him as he tried to steer it towards goal.
Holdsworth then made a great block to deny striker Hooper a shot at goal from an acute angle in the 42nd minute.
Keigan Parker was involved in quite a few close offside calls - one in particular denied the Scottish striker a clear run at goal in the last minute of the half after a clever through-ball from strike partner Jevons and drawing much vitriol from Town boss Lee Clark and the Galpharm faithful.
HALF-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0 SCUNTHORPE UNITED 0
Scunthorpe's Grant McCann had the first effort of the second half after just 17 seconds, but having beaten Jim Goodwinimpressively on the edge of the box he scuffed his right-footed shot weakly wide of Smithies' right-hand post.
Town then created a good chance in the 49th minute, with Parker bringing down a right wing cross from Roberts beautifully in the area before attempting a lob over goalkeeper Murphy. Unfortunately, his effort drifted over the crossbar.
Most of Scunthorpe's attacking play revolved around big target man Ben May, who was giving Nathan Clarke a tough game with his physical presence. However, the Town defence were playing well - Robbie Williams doing particularly well at left-back.
It looked like Gary Roberts had given Town a 56th minute lead after collecting a pass from Keigan Parker on the edge of the box and skipping past right-back Wright before slamming the ball home, but referee Miller ruled the goal out for handball with the Town supporters celebrating.
Town were on top and a great Roberts pass released Keigan Parker in on goal in the 58th minute. The rapid forward advanced on the Scunthorpe 'keeper but was being forced gradually wide and could only hit a left-footed effort straight at custodian Murphy.
Good play from Scunthorpe on the hour mark resulted in Sam Togwell pulling the trigger twenty yards from goal, bringing a good low save from Alex Smithies.
Ex-Scunthorpe player Andy Butler then nodded a left wing corner from Gary Roberts wide at the far post two minutes later.
A Williams clearance then released Cadamarteri down the right side in the 64th minute; he flew past left-back Williams before crossing into the box, where an excellent touch from Jevons gave the 'keeper just enough of a chance to smother the ball as he tried to get a shot away.
GOAL - Town then took a 65th minute lead through former Scunthorpe man Jim Goodwin. The midfielder had been jeered by the travelling support all afternoon but silenced the away fans with a terrific diving header from 12 yards out to convert a left wing corner from Roberts and net his first for the Club. Left winger Robbo had done well to win the set-piece, forcing right-back Wright to turn the ball behind after he ran at the defender at pace.
Town continued to attack, but Roberts put a 69th minute free-kick way over the opposition crossbar with a number of targets to aim for in the penalty area.
SUB - Lee Clark made his first substitution in the 73rd minute, with Keigan Parker being replaced by Ian Craney. The midfielder played on the right wing, with Danny Cadamarteri moving to partner Jevons in attack.
SUB - Former Town loanee Paul Hayes entered the fray at the same time, replacing Martyn Woolford.
SUB - Scunthorpe second substitution followed in the 78th minute, with Ian Morris replacing McCann.
Scunny right-back Wright tried his luck with his weaker left foot in the 80th minute, but sent his speculative drive arrowing into the visiting fans in the Pink Link Stand.
A great run inside and pass from substitute Craney set Collins into the area a minute later, but the midfielder could only direct a weak shot straight at the goalkeeper when under heavy pressure from defender Pearce. In truth, he did well to reach the ball at all.
Ben May sent a hurried left foot shot from a tight angle high over the bar as the visitors pressed for an equaliser in the 83rd minute.
BOOKING - Young custodian Alex Smithies was then booked for time wasting by referee Miller as he looked to take the resultant goal kick.
SUB - Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins made his final change in the 86th minute, replacing defender Pearce with winger Garry Thompson.
Unfortunately, Scunthorpe fell to ten men after sub Ian Morris had to be stretchered from the field following a drop-ball he contested with Phil Jevons; the Iron midfielder clutched his leg immediately after the innocuous-looking clash of legs.
Scunthorpe striker Hooper then sent an acrobatic volley straight into the waiting hands of Smithies after displaying decent straight to hold off Andy Butler.
Town defended deeply for the four minutes of added time, but should have settled the game when Cadamarteri outmuscled defender Byrne on the touchline before sliding a pass to Roberts in the area; unfortunately, the winger sent his shot high over the goal on his weaker right foot.
SUB - Late in the game Clark replaced striker Phil Jevons with Tom Clarke.
GOAL - As Scunthorpe pressed for a late equaliser 'keeper Murphy joined his attack for a long throw and Town capitalized with a late, late goal from Gary Roberts. The long throw was cleared long by Michael Collins and after Danny Cadamarteri won the ball from last defender Wright, Roberts raced through and netted his eighth goal of the season by rolling the ball into an empty net.
FULL TIME: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 SCUNTHORPE UNITED 0
Huddersfield Town:
Alex Smithies, Andy Holdsworth (c), Michael Collins, Nathan Clarke, Keigan Parker (Ian Craney 73), Danny Cadamarteri, Jim Goodwin, Phil Jevons (Tom Clarke 90), Robbie Williams, Gary Roberts, Andy Butler
Unused Substitutes: Matt Glennon, Malvin Kamara, James Berrett
Town Bookings: Keigan Parker (30), Alex Smithies (83)
Scunthorpe Bookings: Joe Murphy (10), Matt Sparrow (27)
Attendance: 15,228
Visiting: 1,641
