PREVIEW: DERBY COUNTY (A)

4 August 2021

All you need to know ahead of opening Sky Bet Championship game

- Derby County vs Huddersfield Town preview
- First 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship game
- Listen on iFollow HTAFC

Huddersfield Town’s opening 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship game sees them travel to Pride Park to take on Derby County on Saturday 7 August 2021; 3pm kick-off.

The two sides are very well known to one another, and last played each other in February 2021 when Derby ran out 2-0 winners at Pride Park.

Town go into the Saturday’s game off the back of their Carabao Cup Round One win against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday 1 August.

Derby go into the game following a 2-0 friendly victory over Notts County.

THE OPPOSITION

The last few months have been rocky for the Rams, as they had the threat of potential relegation hanging over the Club.

An independent Disciplinary Commission declared the Club’s accounts for years ended 30 June 2016, 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018 did not comply with the requirements of the Championship Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

However, on the pitch Wayne Rooney’s side stayed up thanks to a dramatic six-goal thriller against Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park in their last game of the 2021/22 season.

The Rams are still managed by the former England international, who has said in recent interviews that he is still hopeful of adding players to his squad ahead of the new Championship campaign.

ONES TO WATCH

Tom Lawrence

The Welsh international joined Derby from Leicester City in summer 2017. Last season was a stop-start one for the forward, who suffered various injuries, including a shoulder and ankle injury. On his return at the end of the 2020/21 he contributed three goals and two assists. He was named Captain ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Colin Kazim-Richards

Colin signed for the Rams from Pachuca in October 2020. He scored his first goal for Derby in a 1-1 draw with Coventry City on 1 December 2020 and went on to end the season as the Club’s top goalscorer, bagging eight. He signed a contract extension in February 2021, keeping him at Derby until the summer of 2022.

Nathan Byrne

The defender was another summer 2020 signing for the Rams, signing a two-year deal from Wigan Athletic. The 29-year-old started his professional career with Tottenham Hotspur but moved to Swindon Town after being unable to break into the First Team. Byrne made 41 appearances in his first season at Derby contributing four assists in the process.

TEAM NEWS

Town Head Coach Carlos Corberán will provide an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of the first Sky Bet Championship game during his virtual press conference on Thursday 5 August 2021.

KIT

Town will be in their beach glass third kit for the trip to Pride Park.

You’ll be able to buy yours from 10am on Friday 13 August 2021.

HOW TO WATCH

TICKETS

Adults - £28
Over-65s - £21
18-21-year-olds - £21
13-17-year-olds - £14
6-12-year-olds - £7
2-5-year-olds – FREE (must be purchased with a parent or guardian)

All children under 13 must be accompanied by someone 18 or over. Children under 2 are not permitted to enter at Derby County.

Derby County have confirmed that there will NOT be a pay on the day facility on match day, so Town fans need to get their ticket from us before 4pm on Friday 6 August 2021 to attend the game.

TRAVEL

Coach tickets will be available at £15 per person, with coaches departing at 11.30am on match day.

Coaches will leave from the St. Andrew’s Road car park, where supporters can leave their cars until their return.

HOW TO LISTEN

If you’re unable to attend the game, you’ll be able to listen along via iFollow HTAFC!

Town fans will be able to listen to Saturday’s game through our live audio commentary by purchasing either a Monthly or Audio Match Pass to tune in live. You can purchase a UK Season Pass for £45, Monthly Pass for £4.49 and an Audio Match Pass for £2.50.

CLICK HERE to sign up to iFollow HTAFC!

Match Reports

REPORT: DERBY COUNTY 1-1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

7 August 2021

Town draw in Sky Bet Championship opener

- Huddersfield Town start Sky Bet Championship with a draw
- First half goals saw the points split
- Naby Sarr on the scoresheet

Huddersfield Town started their 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship season with a 1-1 draw against Derby County on Saturday afternoon.

Town were without Head Coach Carlos Corberán, Lee Nicholls, Harry Toffolo, Josh Ruffels and Lewis O’Brien at Pride Park due to positive Covid-19 tests.

It was the hosts who took the lead, before Town equalised in the final minute of the first half.

The game got off to a slow start, although Town were the brighter of the two sides.

There were a few tame chances for the Terriers in the opening third, including a Danny Ward header which could do no more than be caught in the hands of Kelle Roos.

Ollie Turton was handed the first card of the game for a tackle from behind on Louie Watson.

Derby came into the game in the 17th minute, with Watson providing a moment of danger for Town. Fortunately, Ryan Schofield was quick off his line and Matty Person was able to ease the winger off the ball.

The first real chance of the half came from the hosts. Tom Lawrence went through on goal, but Schofield was able to force him wide, with Naby Sarr knocking the resulting cross behind.

It was the Rams who broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Nathan Byrne delivered a ball to the back post, where it was bundled home by Curtis Davies.

Town came back with a chance of their own just moments later, but Jordan Rhodes’ header flew over the cross bar.

However, the Terriers went on to equalise just moments later! A fantastic delivery into the penalty area from Sorba Thomas saw Sarr smash his header past Roos from close range to level the scores!

The final chance of the half fell to Town, with Scott High forcing Roos to tip his low drive wide. Thomas delivered again from the corner, but Rhodes flicked his header wide.

Both sides came out unchanged after the break, with Roos being called into action early on to punch clear a ball from Thomas.

Derby went on to launch a swift counter-attack, but Sarr was there with a superb sliding block to stop the goal-bound shot from 20 yards.

The Rams had an opportunity to take the lead in the 62nd minute, with second half substitute Louie Sibley getting free between Town’s defence and midfield. Thankfully, he dragged his left footed shot wide from 20 yards.

High provided the Terriers with their chance to equalise, but saw his low cross cleared just over the Derby crossbar.

Town came close again just seconds later, with Pearson reaching highest to latch onto Thomas’ corner. Unfortunately, his header inched over the bar.

As the game came into the final 10 minutes, it was the turn of second half substitute Fraizer Campbell to try and put Town ahead. He latched onto Thomas’ cross and took aim, only to be denied by the legs of Roos.

Duane Holmes received a yellow card in the final few minutes for bringing down Lawrence.

Town were unable to find the winner before the final whistle, and so start the new season with a point on the road.

Town line-up (3-5-2)

Ryan Schofield; Levi Colwill, Naby Sarr, Matty Pearson; Sorba Thomas, Duane Holmes (Danel Sinani, 92’), Jonathan Hogg, Scott High, Ollie Turton; Jordan Rhodes (Fraizer Campbell, 63’), Danny Ward (Josh Koroma, 63’)

Unused Subs

Michael Roxburgh; Alex Vallejo, Reece Brown, Ben Jackson

Scorer

Naby Sarr, 45’

Town Bookings

Ollie Turton (15’), Duane Holmes (87’)