Nationwide League Division Two
Season 2002-2003

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May 2003

Final League Table May 3rd, 2003

PR = Promoted
PO = Play Off's
REL = Relegated

May 3rd
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 1 - 1 Oldham Athletic
Town signed off from their disappointing season with a bore draw at home to play-off contenders Oldham Athletic.

The Terriers opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Danny Schofield picked up a loose ball and fired home from long range. Stead should have doubled Town's advantage just before the break but his shot hit the post after Smith laid on a great ball.

After the break Oldham came more into the game and had several opportunities to level the scores before Tony Carss slotted a ball into the Town net from the edge of the area to give the Latics a share of the spoils.

April 2003

April 26th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Port Vale 5 - 1 Huddersfield Town
Town forfeited their place in the Second Division with a whimper after a dire performance in the Midlands against a Port Vale side managed by ex-Huddersfield boss Brian Horton.

Although Town made a bright start Port Vale took the lead in the 18th minute when defensive hesitancy allowed Ian Armstrong to prod the ball home. Then in the 31st minute Vale broke fast from a Town attack and Adrian Littlejohn fired home after holding off a challenge from Jon Worthington.

In the 45th minute Town grabbed a goal back when Jason Gavin scored his first goal for the Terriers when he headed home a Kevin Sharp corner.

After the break Town tried their best to get back into the game but their hopes were dashed in the 59th minute when Armstrong scored his second goal of the game, a great solo effort.

Thereafter Town struggled to make an impression on the home defence but found the task almost impossible after Tommy Heary was sent off in the 80th minute. Shortly afterwards Toen old boy, Sam Collins, smashed the ball home with an accurate free kick and the three minutes from the end Phil Charnock completed the rout with another glorious free kick.

April 21st
Nationwide League - Division Two
Stockport County 2 - 1 Huddersfield Town
This was a case of the one that got away after Town lead for most of the game and then were stunned by two late goals within the space of two minutes.

Town got an early goal in the third minute when Andy Booth scored one of his trade-mark headers from a Jon Stead corner. Town then continued for the rest of the first half and much of the second in a business-like manner although County did have a couple of chances to equalize.

Then, after two inspired substitutions by manager, Carlton Palmer, County equalized in the 79th minute when Daly side-footed the ball past the Terriers keeper. Two minutes later Stockport scored what proved to be the decisive goal when Wilbraham fired home.

Town are still in serious relegation trouble and need to win their last two games and hope that fellow strugglers slip up.

April 19th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 0 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Town played second fiddle to the Wigan promoton celebration and left themselves perilously close to the drop into the Third Division.

The Huddersfield defence certainly earned their wages in this match but even then they had to rely on the woodwork to save them as Kennedy struck the crossbar and Teale smashed the rebound into the post.

The Terriers were not totally outclassed however and did manage to threaten the Latics goal through Smith but his shot was easily saved by Filan.

April 12th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Swindon Town 0 - 1 Huddersfield Town
A late strike from Martin Smith, his 17th of the season, gave Town all three points in this hard fought battle in Wiltshire.

Swindon had the better opportunities of the game put poor finishing, the woodwork and some good saves from Phil Senior kept their strikers at bay.

Then in the 87th minute a long cross from Chris Holland was headed down by Andy Booth into the path of Smith who struck the ball home sweetly with his left peg.

April 5th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 4 - 0 Chesterfield
Town surprised their critics and supporters with an emphatic win over fellow strugglers Chesterfield at the McAlpine Stadium and even had the luxury of missing a penalty.

After a bright start Town took the lead when Martin Smith's shot somehow trickled under the body of Spireites keeper Richmond and in to the back of the net.
Jonathan Stead extended the Terrier's lead six minutes later when he shot over the keeper and in to the back of the net.

After the break Town continued their attacking play and SMith scored his second in the 53rd minute when he fired home a free kick from the edge of the area.
Stead finished off the scoring in the 66th minute with a fine shot to give Town just a glimmer of hope in the fight for Second Division safety.

March 2003

March 31st
After a hearing at the High Court Huddersfield Town were put into administration. The company Begbies Traynow were appointed as Administrators and will attempt to solve Town's current financial plight over the next few weeks. Of paramount importance is the reduction of the reportedly £18 million debts that Town owe their creditors.

March 29th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Notts County 3 - 2 Huddersfield Town
This was the game that probably sent Huddersfield down to the Third Division after they capitulated despite twice taking the lead.

Town took the lead through an Andy Booth header in the 19th minute and managed to hang on to it until the 31st minute when a mistake by Jason Gavin allowed Heffernan to head the ball home. Six minutes later Town regained the lead when Schofield buried a free kick.

After the break it was poor defending that allowed County to take all three points. Firstly Stallard was fouled in the box by Nat Brown and got up to take the penalty to level the scores at 2 - 2. Stallard again scored from the penalty spot in the dying seconds of the game when Adie Moses was adjudged to have handled the ball.

March 26th
Huddersfield Town announced the dismissal of manager Mick Wadsworth and the appointment of Mel Machin as manager until the end of the season. Wadsworth's departure follows a run of five defeats which has left the club three points adrift at the bottom of the Second Division.

March 22nd
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 1 - 2 Bristol City
Bristol took the lead in the 17th minute when Matthew Hill scramble dthe ball into the net after Phil Senior cound only manage to aprry Lee Peacock's header.

Three minutes later Town were level after they were awarded a penalty when Hill pushed over Andy Booth in the visitor's area. Martin Smith made no mistake from the spot.

Peacock finished off the scoring with a header in the 36th minute, giving City all three points.

March 18th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 1 - 1 Mansfield Town
Town dropped to the foot of the table after this disappointing draw with fellow strugglers Mansfield Town.

After a fairly bland first half the Terriers took the lead in the 51st minute when Martin Smith's long range shot deceived visiting keeper Welch and curled into the back of the net.

This galvanised Mansfield into action and they laid seige to the Huddersfield goal. Eventually on-loan defender Jason Gavin handled the ball in his own penalty area and Corden made no mistake from the resulting spot kick to give Mansfield a share of the points.

March 15th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Colchester 2 - 0 Huddersfield Town
Town's third consecutive defeat saw them entrenched firmly in the relegation zone and desperately in need of some more victories if they are to remain in Division 2 next season.

With honours even Town gave a good account of themselves until the 40th minute when Kevin Sharp was given a red card for foul and abusive language (directed towards the home supporters?).

Thereafter Town left just Andy Booth in attack and tried to shore up the defence, which they managed until the 74th minute when Kemal Izzet managed to scramble the ball into the Terriers net.

Seven minutes later Scott McGleish doubled the score with a header following a Stockley free-kick.

March 8th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Luton Town 3 - 0 Huddersfield Town
A dreadful display from the Terriers saw them comprehensively beaten by The Hatters at Kenilworth Road.

Luton started off on the offensive from the sound of the whistle and it was only a solid display by the Town defence that managed to keep the scores level at half time. The woodwork and two goal line clearances rescued Senior in the Town goal. Town only managed one shot on target throughout the first half.

Five minutes after the break Luton took the lead with a shot from Spring beating Senior. Things then went from bad to worse when Kenny Irons was dismissed in the 53rd minute after protesting that Spring was offside when he scored.

Then, in the 71st minute Luton added to their score when Holmes lashed in a cross from Hillier. Howard then completed the scoring with a clinical finish towards the end of the half. Once again Town could only muster the one shot on Luton's goal.

March 4th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 0 - 3 Queens Park Rangers
Town were brought back to earth by promotion-contenders QPR as they suffered this defeat at the McAlpine Stadium.

Rangers took the lead in the fifth minute whenFurlong latched on to a Kevin Gallen through ball. Then in the 39th minute QPR hit the post direct from the corner and Danny Shittu was on hand to fire home the rebound.

After the break Town tried to break down the QPR defence but the attackers were unable to make any sort of progress and, in injury time, Rangers sealed their win with a second, easy, goal from Furlong.

March 1st
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 2 - 0 Northampton Town
Two late first-half goals were enough to give Town a crucial victory over fellow strugglers Northampton Town. The three points enabled the Terriers to climb up the table to 19th place and also saw them escape from a relegation position for the first time this year.

The first half saw chances for both sides which were spurned until the 44th minute when Simon Baldry outfoxed the Cobblers defence, rounded their keeper and cooly slotted the ball home. Then in injury time at the end of the half Baldry took his turn as provider when he accurately picked out Martin Smith who beat Harper with a strong shot.

After the break the game swung both ways and Phil Senior was kept on his toes by the Northampton attackers but proved himself capable oh handling the best they could throw at him. Town also had their chances through Andy Booth but failed to add to the score.

February 2003

February 25th, 2003
Nationwide League - Division Two
Brentford 1 - 0 Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield were unlucky not to come away with at least a point after Andy Booth had two clear chances to score in the opening 15 minutes of the game but he saw header drift wide of the post and also had a shot saved by Smith in the Brentford goal.

Smith also made a fine save from Martin SMith at the start of the second half but it was Brentford who made the breakthrough in the 56th minute when he drilled the ball home past the despairing Phil Senior.

Brentford then went on to dominate the rest of the second half but failed to add to their score as Senior pulled off a couple of fine saves.

February 22nd, 2003
Nationwide League - Division Two
Barnsley 0 - 1 Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town collected three points from this Yorkshire derby and gained their first away win since October of last year.

In a full blooded match it was Andy Booth who scored his hundredth league goal that gave Town this victory that they so desperately needed. His looping header in the 26th minute gave Andy Marriott no chance in the Tykes goal.

Earlier Martin Smith found himself one-on-one with Marriott but the Barnsley man managed to block the shot with his legs.

Later on in the game Phil Senior pulled off some good saves to deny, amongst others, Town old boy Dean Gorre, whose deflected shot was tipped over by Senior.

February 15th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 3 - 3 Cheltenham Town
It looked as though Town were going to succumb to Cheltenham after the visitors took a two goal lead in the first half but an amazing 5-minute spell early in the second half saw them nearly snatch all three points.

In the first half Town started the game brightly but wasted a number of clear cut opportunities and in the 37th minute CHeltenham took the lead when McCann put the ball in the home side's net. Three minutes later and the score was 2 - 0 as Alsop scored - much to the dismay of the Terriers fans.

Then, in the 54th minute Town staged a spirited comeback when Kenny Irons scored with one of his trade mark free kicks. Then Martin Smith showed why he is the club's top scorer when he score din the 56th and 59th minute to give the Terriers the lead.

Unfortunately Huddersfield couldn't hang on to their one goal advantage and McCann scored his second goal of the game in the 71st minutes giving Cheltenham a share of the points and leaving Town one point ahead of the visitors at the bottom of the table..

February 8th, 2003
Nationwide League - Division Two
Wycombe 0 - 0 Huddersfield Town
No report available.

February 4th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 1 - 0 Plymouth Argyle
Two wins in a row and yet Huddersfield Town dropped a place and found themselves back at the foot of Division 2 due to the fact that their rivals Cheltenham have the same number of points, the same goal difference but have scored more goals.

While Town hit the crossbar through Smith in only the third minute it was Plymouth who had the edge in passing and posession.

After the break Plymouth again made threats aginst the Town goal but were denied by either poor finishing or the excellent Senior in goal. The 20-year-old reserve keeper had a great game and will pose a threat to first choice keeper Bevan.

Town had a slice of luck in the 81st minute when John Thorrington's cross hit Plymouth defender Aljofree on the hand and the referee awarded the home side a penalty. Martin Smith made no mistake with the spot kick, Town's first penalty this season.

February 1st
Town's match against Brentford was postponed due to snow and ice on the terracing.

January 2002

January 25th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 1 - 0 Cardiff City
All the smart bets were on promotion chasers Cardiff to romp home against bottom club huddersfield but they would have lost after a determined effort from the home side.

Although Cardiff had chances to score against the Terriers it was a goal from Andy Booth that sealed the match and, more importantly, three points. Once again it was a Kenny Irons free kick that found Booth's head and the crowd favourite needed no second invitation as he headed home.

After a week of turmoil at the McAlpine Stadium this win took Town off the bottom of the table and gave the supporters hope for another "Great Escape"

Earlier on in the week the club announced that two of the directors had left the board and that a decision had been made to sack Mick Wadsworth but they couldn't afford his severance pay so he was retained. This has made Huddersfield the current laughing stock of the football world!

January 18th, 2003
Nationwide League - Division Two
Crewe 1 - 0 Huddersfield Town
Once again Town were found lacking at the sharp end and were made to suffer in the 90th minute, despite being down to 10 men when Bevan was sent off just after the hour for deliberate hand ball.

January 11th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 0 - 1 Peterborough United
With the Diredctors pleading poverty off the field and the strikers showing poverty on the field this match was another nail in the coffin of Town's hopes of staying in Division 2.

To put it quite simply Huddersfield are just not good enough. The forwards can't score, the midfielders cannot command their territory and the defence is leakier than a seive.

All of the aforementioned were present in this game and the only suprise was that the defence held out until Edwards scored for The Posh in the 83rd minute.

January 1st, 2003
Nationwide League - Division Two
Blackpool 1 - 1 Huddersfield Town
Town scored in the 75th minute with an Andy Booth rocket that he lashed into the roof of the net. The Terriers were within a minute of claiming a much-needed victory when Blackpool were awarded a penalty and Hiil converted to give the Seasiders a share of the points.

Other notable moments from the match were that the second half start was delayed by 20 minutes when the ground was evacuated after a fire alarm was sounded and Blackpool had Richardson sent off in the 85th minute.

December 2002

December 29th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Cardiff City 4 - 0 Huddersfield Town
This was comprehensive a defeat as Town have had all season and if the warning bells hadn't been ringing prior to this game then they certainly were after it!

A defeat by such a large score puts the future of manager Mick Wadsworth in doubt and the future of Huddersfield Town looking very gloomy indeed.

For the record the Cardiff goals were scored by Jason Bowen (19 and 64) and Robert Earnshaw (44 and 73).

December 26th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 1 - 2 Tranmere Rovers
Now firmly entrenched at the foot of the table Huddersfield were beaten at home on Boxing Day by Tranmere Rovers.

Both sides failed to impress in the first half with the lack of a finishing touch leaving the game goalless.

After the break it was Tranmere who scored in the 58th minute from the penalty shot after Moses brought down a Tranmere attacker in the Town penalty area.

Nine minutes later and Tranmere doubled their lead when Gareth Evans scored for the visitors with more of a deflection than a real shot.

Town did manage to hit the net a minute later when in-form Martin Smith fired home from all of 25 yards but it proved to be too little, too late.

December 21st
Nationwide League - Division Two
Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Huddersfield Town
This match, against the league leaders, brought out the fighting spirit of the Town players but they were once again undone from a set piece.

Town started off the brighter of the two sides and had a couple of good chances which were either off target or dealt with by the Latics defence, the most notable being a header from Andy Booth in the 17th minute.

For the final 15 minutes of the half Town had to be on the defensive after Wigan found their rythym and started to threaten the Huddersfield goal. Luckily Scott Bevan was in good form and between him and the defence they managed to keep the Latics at bay until deep in to injury time.
Bevan could do nothing to stop Wigan from scoring after 47 minutes of play when a Kennedy corner was headed into the Town net by de Vos to give the home side, what proved to be, the deciding goal.

After the break Town were forced to defend throughout the second half and it was only good work by Bevan that kept the score down to the single goal.

Despite a valiant effort from Huddersfield they left the JJB Stadium pointless and are now deep in the relegation dogfight.

December 14th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 2 - 0 Stockport County
This was the win that the Town fans had been waiting for and, although it was Martin Smith who scored both of Huddersfield's goals, Andy Booth plagued the Stockport defence.

Having gone 8 games without a win the Terriers had on-loan striker Lee Ashcroft making his debut and he nearly opened his account in the 15th minute with a delighfully floated ball that sailed over the Stockport keeper and, unfortunately, just over the bar.

Then, in the 27th minute, a cross from Kenny Irons was deflected by a defender and the ball fell kindly to Martin Smith who slotted the ball home with poise and calmness.

After the break Town continued where they left off, harassing the Stockport defence with Andy Booth directing play with his delightful knock-downs and passes. Unfortunately for Town the defence were not in such sparkling form and County grabbed an equalizer through a Briggs header from a Beckett cross in the 75th minute.

The Terriers responded with fighting spirit and in the 82nd minute Andy Booth sent Smith clear and his clinical finish gave all three points to the home side.

December 9th
Huddersfield announced the loan signing of 30-year-old Lee Ashcroft from Wigan. Striker Ashcroft has signed up for one month and will probably see his first action in Saturday's match against Stockport.

November 2002

November 30th
Nationwide League - Division Two
Chesterfield 1 - 0 Huddersfield Town
Town were undone by an old boy yet again as Rob Edwards set up Kevin Dawson in the 33rd minute for the only goal of the match.

It was Chesterfield who took the initiative throught the first half of this game and it was only a couple of good saves from Bevan and some poor finishing from Spirites that kept the scoreline down to the one goal.

Although Town were a bit livelier in the second half chances were still few and far between and, despite three second half substitutions, the men in blue and white still found it difficult to pose any serious threat to the home side's goal

November 23rd
Nationwide League - Division Two
Huddersfield Town 2 - 3 Swindon
No report available