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’)
