Town exit at the second round stage
Huddersfield Town’s 2014/15 Capital One Cup journey was over at the second round stage after being beaten at the hands of Nottingham Forest.
The current Championship leaders scored two second half goals to progress with Henri Lansbury and a James Vaughan own goal enough for them.
Stuart Pearce’s men had by far the better of the chances and Town were fortunate to go in at the interval level. Lars Veldwijk spurned the best of them with Town’s best effort coming from the boot of Jon Stead; the tall striker struck the post early in the first half.
League leaders Nottingham Forest left in-form strike pairing Britt Assombalonga and Matty Fryatt on the bench, whilst Nahki Wells wasn’t risked for Town, after picking up a knock on his ankle during the draw with Charlton Athletic.
The lack of three quality strikers didn’t have an effect on the entertainment value though, with both sides playing expansive football as they looked to progress to the Third Round of the Capital One Cup.
Both teams had struck the post within the first ten minutes – Henri Lansbury for Forest and Jon Stead for Town – whilst Harry Bunn had also hit into the side netting after skilfully evading the attentions of former Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne.
Adam Hammill, making his first start since the opening day loss, hit harmlessly wide in the 12th minute before Forest responded with two harmless efforts of their own from Robert Tesche and Lansbury respectfully.
The Tricky Trees were coming into the clash on the back of a four goal victory over Reading, which saw winger Michail Antonio grab a brace. The former Sheffield Wednesday man would have made it three in a week had Hammill not been perfectly placed to clear his header off the line; Joe Murphy was well beaten in the Town goal.
Antonio then forced Murphy into a low save with a driven effort before Jamie Paterson shot tamely at the ‘keeper when well placed.
Arguably Forest’s best chances of the half fell to £1m summer signing Lars Veldwijk, however the Dutchman failed to find a finish to put his side ahead. He hit wide twice when well placed in Murphy’s area.
The opportunities kept falling Veldwijk’s way with the first of the second half landing at the feet of the striker, who dragged a shot narrowly wide of Murphy’s goal.
Despite Forest’s bright opening, which also saw Tommy Smith block Jamie Paterson’s volley, the second half lacked the intensity of the first. Paterson also shot tamely wide in the 55th minute, whilst for Town Jacob Butterfield scuffed a shot at Darlow.
Town introduced James Vaughan in the 61st minute as they searched for an opener, however it didn’t quite have the desired effect – he did score, but sadly in the wrong goal! Paterson clipped a ball into Town’s box and under no Forest pressure, Vaughan mistimed his header and bulleted the ball past a stranded Murphy.
The goal was deserved, just not quite how Forest had planned.
Their second, ten minutes later, was though, Tesche toed a ball to Lansbury on the edge of Town’s box who fired a low drive past Murphy.
However, that wasn’t the end of the action. Mark Lillis’ men almost responded immediately through Vaughan, whose header at the right end went just wide.
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Joe Murphy; Paul Dixon, Joel Lynch (c), Murray Wallace, Tommy Smith (Duane Holmes, 72); Danny Ward, Conor Coady, Jacob Butterfield, Adam Hammill; Jon Stead (Sean Scannell, 78), Harry Bunn (James Vaughan, 61)
Unused substitutes:
Alex Smithies, Matt Crooks, Phil Billing, Jordan Sinnott
Bookings Town: Lynch 70’
Gate: 6,509
Away: 1,555
