Kachunga and Wells score in win
- HTAFC beats Rochdale 2-0 in BCD friendly- Elias Kachunga & Nahki Wells the scorers
- First game time for Jon Gorenc Stanković
- Pre-season sponsored by Hirsche Automotive
Huddersfield Town’s pre-season campaign continued with another win in a behind-closed-doors game against Sky Bet League 1 side Rochdale at the John Smith’s Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
A goal in each half for strikers Elias Kachunga and Nahki Wells (pictured above) gave the Terriers a good win over the visitors as David Wagner stepped up the minutes on the pitch for his players, with eleven getting an hour under their belts.
Town’s most recent signing, Jon Gorenc Stanković, got his first 30 minutes for the Club, but Mark Hudson was rested with a bang to the knee sustained against Accrington Stanley at the weekend and Joe Lolley was also left out for precautionary reasons.
The first goal came in the 20th minute and started with goalkeeper Joel Coleman. With Rochdale pushing high to try and stop Town playing out after the home side had dominated possession, the ‘keeper chipped the ball into the centre circle. Rajiv van La Parra flicked a header on and Kachunga sprang past the defensive line, advancing into the penalty area before beating the goalkeeper at close range.
Kache could have had a second three minutes later, but couldn’t connect cleanly with Tommy Smith’s driven cross and the goalkeeper managed to claw the ball off his line.
The lively German striker had another effort saved by the legs of the ‘keeper after a fantastic turn, drive and pass from van La Parra as the half ended.
Rochdale played some good football at times, but only threatened at set-pieces. Instead it was Ivan Paurević who threatened early into the second half, turning Kachunga’s cross wide at the near post.
Kache almost netted a cheeky back-heel from another Smith cross in the 53rd minute, but the ball was diverted inches wide of the far post with the ‘keeper rooted to the spot.
At the other end, Coleman’s best save of the game came just before the hour mark when he saved a close range header from the striker.
The 11 subs came on just after the hour mark and the new squad doubled the advantage in the 72nd minute. Philip Billing used his huge leg reach to nick the ball off an opponent before playing a one-two with Nahki Wells to break into space. The Dane’s measured through pass put the Bermudian in behind the defence and he finished in typical fashion, giving the custodian no chance.
16 year-old defender Jordan Williams got another run-out for the First Team and put a half volley wide of the near post from 20 yards soon after before Wells set Aaron Mooy clear. The Australian unselfishly tried to square the ball to Sean Scannell for a tap-in, but the ‘keeper did well and came out to deflect clear.
Town’s team for 60 mins (4-2-3-1):
Joel Coleman; Chris Löwe, Christopher Schindler, Martin Cranie, Tommy Smith; Ivan Paurević, Dean Whitehead; Rajiv van La Parra, Jack Payne, Harry Bunn; Elias Kachunga
Town’s team for the last 30 mins (4-2-3-1):
Luke Coddington; Jason Davidson, Michael Hefele, Jon Gorenc Stanković, Jordan Williams; Philip Billing, Jonathan Hogg; Kyle Dempsey, Aaron Mooy, Sean Scannell; Nahki Wells
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