Town draw in final pre-season friendly
- Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Huddersfield Town
- Danny Ward on the scoresheet
- Attentions now turn to season opener vs Burnley on Friday 29 July 2022
Huddersfield Town finished pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The majority of Town's senior players got an important first 90 minutes under their belt, with the only true blemish on that front being a potential injury to Matty Pearson.
A game of two halves, Kieran Sadlier’s 94th minute strike cancelled out Danny Ward’s first half header.
Town started the brighter of the two sides, with Sorba Thomas coming close in just the fourth minute. Some great work from Josh Koroma and Duane Holmes lead to a chance for our Welshman, but he miskicked it and saw it roll wide.
Bolton responded three minutes later, with Dapo Afolayan beating Tom Lees, but Lee Nicholls’ foot was on hand to deny him.
The Terriers were forced into an early change, as Pearson was unable to continue. That saw Jonathan Hogg drop to centre back, whilst Holmes joined Jon Russell in central midfield and Kieran Phillips went in the middle of the three attacking midfielders.
The 17th minute saw Bolton have a huge chance. Afolayan was picked out by Declan John, but dragged his shot narrowly wide of the left-hand post.
Town and Phillips responded in the 21st minute as Thomas’ cross was deflected, but his header was saved excellently by James Trafford.
The 22nd minute saw Duane Holmes booked for a foul on Dion Charles.
An end-to-end first half, Koroma had a half chance as the clock showed 33 minutes played, but sent his effort high and wide.
Phillips came close again just before half-time, beating Bolton’s ‘keeper, but Richardo Santos sent it away.
Town’s pressure paid off in the 46th minute, as Danny Ward got on the end of a Thomas cross to send a fantastic header past Trafford. A great early cross from the Wales international allowed Ward to get on the move and out-jump Bolton skipper Santos, who stands at 6' 6", to intentionally loop a header over stranded goalkeeper James Trafford.
The Terriers almost doubled their lead five minutes after returning to the pitch, but Jonathan Hogg’s header went inches wide of the post from a typically excellent Thomas corner!
Bolton began to apply the pressure, and were incredibly unlucky not to equalise in the 56th minute. Aaron Morley delivered a corner into the box, and Santos connected with a header that beat Nicholls, but came back off the post!
Town fought back in the 65th minute, but Josh Ruffels’ deflected effort was held by Trafford.
Ruffels was on hand with some lovely defending five minutes later to divert a very dangerous looking shot from Conor Bradley.
As the clock showed 80 minutes played, Nicholls produced a point blank save to deny Bakayoko.
Bolton continued to turn up the heat as the clock counted down to full-time, with Bakayoko coming close again in the 91st minute. Fortunately, he powered his header into the crowd and over the bar.
Bolton’s pressure paid off in the final minute of added time, as Kieran Sadlier curled a shot into the top right corner.
Town’s attention now turn to their Sky Bet Championship season opener against Burnley on Friday 29 July 2022. CLICK HERE to buy your tickets!
Town’s Line-Up (4-2-3-1)
Lee Nicholls; Ollie Turton, Matty Pearson (Kieran Phillips, 10’), Tom Lees, Josh Ruffels (Luke Daley, 86’); Jonathan Hogg, Jon Russell; Sorba Thomas (Myles Bright, 77’), Duane Holmes, Josh Koroma; Danny Ward (Ernaldo Krasniqi (86’)
Unused Subs
Michael Roxburgh, Ryan Schofield; Neo Eccleston
Town Scorer
Danny Ward (45+1’)
Town Booking
Duane Holmes (22’)