A stunning solo goal from Clive Walker gave Fulham a narrow victory over Huddersfield Town at Leeds Road and boosted their play-off aspirations.
The former Chelsea winger rolled back the years as he sprinted past five defenders to round Lee Martin and thread a finish between the dives of two desperate Huddersfield players after a forward run from Gary Barnett. Walker’s thirteenth goal of the season gave the Whites a deserved win – and it might have been even more comfortable were it not for Martin’s heroics in the home goal.
Steve Milton saw an early shot blocked before Walker whistled a free-kick just wide of the far post from 25 yards out. The underemployed Laurence Batty made his only save of the afternoon from a tame shot by Mike Cecere after 28 minutes, but it was all action at the other end. Ronnie Mauge charged down a clearance and Martin had to be quick off his line to thwart Milton twice in quick succession.
Martin read the danger well to whip the ball off Milton’s toes as the striker headed for goal just after the restart and that prompted the home side’s best spell of the game. The Terriers, without the suspended former Fulham midfielder Robert Wilson, lacked creativity in midfield or a focal point up front and were soon massed behind the ball as the Cottagers’ pressed for an opening again.
Barnett blasted wide after Martin had pushed out a Walker cross, Peter Scott shot wide and the home goalkeeper did well to hold another Walker effort. The match appeared to be petering out into a disappointing draw until veteran Walker’s late moment of magic pinched the points for Fulham.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN: Martin; Mitchell, O’Doherty (Bray 17), Hutchings, Charlton, May (Smith 48), O’Regan, Marsden, Cecere, Withe, Maskell.
BOOKED: Bray.
FULHAM: Batty; Eckhardt, Pike, Marshall, Newson, Scott, Mauge, Barnett, Walker, Davies, Milton (Bremner 65). Subs (not used): Ferney.
GOAL: Walker (85).
ATTENDANCE: 4,780.
