Town: Shane Birtles (pen 45), Own Goal (74)
Nathan Clarke made a successful comeback from his knee injury as a Paul Stephenson-led Town eleven ran out victorious against Evo-Stik League side Wakefield FC this evening.
The long-serving Town defender played 69 minutes on his comeback as the Terriers strolled to victory at College Grove, with Academy striker Shane Birtles netting a penalty late in the first-half before a second-half own goal confirmed the result.
Clarke looked totally comfortable on his return, battling well with a physical opponent and showing no hesitation in throwing himself into several full-blooded challenges.
Town's side also included three trialists; defenders Anton Blackwood (ex Spurs), Laurence Geoghan (ex Celtic) and French striker Odilon.
The first-half performance saw Town dominate without making a breakthrough until late on. Left winger Aidan Chippendale made several early runs at the heart of the Bears' defence but sent three separate shots narrowly off target.
Academy scholar Greg Pearson also went close with two headers from consecutive corners on the half hour mark before midfielder Chris Atkinson came close to breaking the deadlock - sending a superb curling effort onto the far post in the 36th minute with the 'keeper beaten.
Atkinson saw another header turned onto the post by the custodian from Blackwood's cross before Town eventually scored the first goal of the game when second year scholar Birtles was hacked down by a defender in the area; he picked himself up to place the ball home from 12 yards.
The Terriers picked up where they left off in the second 45 minutes, with impressive Academy midfielder Matt Crooks putting a back post header wide of goal early on before Frenchman Odilon blasted narrowly over after being put in by Croft.
Croft then hit a post himself as the hour mark approached before Atkinson's half volley was pushed away by the Wakefield goalkeeper.
Town's second goal followed with quarter of an hour left; after Odilon had successive snapshots saved by the custodian, the ball ricocheted off a defender and into the vacant net.
There was still time for the strike trialist to hit the woodwork once again before the final whistle.
Town's Team (4-4-2):
Ian Bennett (Lloyd Allinson 74); Greg Pearson, Nathan Clarke (Aidan D'Arcy 69), Lawrence Gaughan (Harrison Blakey 69), Anton Blackwood; Aidan Chippendale, Chris Atkinson (James Burke 85), Matt Crooks, Lee Croft (Jordan Sinnott 74); Shane Birtles, Odilon
