Huddersfield Town 1 Oldham Athletic 0: Clark glad to prove that Huddersfield are more than a one-man team
Alan Lee and Danny Cadamarteri, both feeling the effects of a car crash on Friday, combined to secure a valuable three points.
Lee needed stitches in a head gash and Cadamarteri, Gary Roberts and Antony Kay suffered whiplash when a car driven by captain Peter Clarke hit another vehicle after training on Friday.
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Hide AdPassengers in the other vehicle escaped serious injury, much to the relief of Clark, who admitted he was shocked when he saw the extent of the damage.
All five were anxious to play and Town were ultimately grateful to the substitutes who came to their rescue.
Cadamarteri set up the only goal four minutes from time when Lee turned a defender and slotted home.
“It’s good to know we have match-winners on the bench and the strength of any team shows by the quality of player on the sidelines,” said Clark. “All successful teams have players on the bench who push the others. When they get an opportunity they have to make an impact.”
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Hide AdPremier League transfer target Jordan Rhodes had a header just wide in the first half and a shot off target in the second followed by a free-kick straight at goalkeeper Alex Cisak.
His all-round play was excellent, despite the dearth of chances and Clark was glad Rhodes failed to score for a sixth successive game or add to his haul of 12 goals in five matches.
“It shows we can win a game without him scoring,” said Clark.
It was a scruffy three points for Town but Clark added: “We get the same points for a 1-0 win as we do for the 6-0 at Wycombe.”
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Hide AdHuddersfield Town: Bennett; Hunt, McCombe, P Clarke, Naysmith; Ward, Gobern (Robinson 23), Miller, Roberts (Cadamarteri 73); Novak (A Lee 65), Rhodes. Unused substitutes: Colgan, T Clarke.
Oldham Athletic: Cisak; Adeyemi, Diamond, M’voto, K Lee; Parker, Wesolowski, Furman, Taylor; Kuqi, Scapuzzi. Unused Substitutes: Black, Morais, Smith, Tarkowski, Bouzanis.
Referee: G. Eltringham (Tyne & Wear).
Town man of the match: J Rhodes.