Town bag another win on the road!
- Birmingham City 0-2 Huddersfield Town
- Terriers extend run to 17 unbeaten
- Gary Gardner (og) and Lewis O’Brien on the scoresheet
Huddersfield Town made history on Saturday afternoon as they beat Birmingham City 0-2 at St Andrew’s.
The win not only saw the Terriers extend their lead to 17 unbeaten in all competitions, but also set a new Club record for their longest unbeaten run in the Second Division.
Our eighth unbeaten away game of the season, the game saw the return of Levi Colwill after a 10-game absence, and Jordan Rhodes make his first start since Derby County at the start of the month.
Town came out of the blocks fastest, with Colwill almost playing Sorba Thomas clean through in the fifth minute. Unfortunately, Neil Etheridge read it well and was able to gather the ball in time.
Moments later, Rhodes had the ball in the back of the net, but Duane Holmes was flagged offside in the build-up.
The game settled for a period, before a long stoppage in play as Maxime Colin received medical attention.
The 27th minute saw the Terriers break the deadlock! A great corner delivery from Thomas met Colwill at the back post, who headed back towards the centre of the post! Unfortunately for the birthday boy, it did hit Gary Gardner on its way into the back of the net, so looked like an own goal…
Lewis O’Brien had a chance four minutes later, but his strong strike from a narrow angle was well saved by Etheridge.
Almost instantly, Rhodes went through on Etheridge off a ball over the top, but the hosts’ ‘keeper got to him just in time.
Lee Nicholls was called into action for the first time to deny Onel Hernández. The winger hit a great drive at his near post, but Nicholls got his body in the way.
Holmes tried his luck in the 35th minute following a great ball through from Thomas. Unfortunately, his left footed half-volley didn’t hit the target.
Moments later, a deflected clearance sent Lukas Jutkiewicz racing away, but Ollie Turton was on hand to retreat incredibly well and deny him!
As the clock showed 44 minutes played, O’Brien doubled the Terriers’ lead! Some confusion at the back for Birmingham saw the ball fall to our midfielder inside the area, allowing him to tap it in.
The hosts started the second half the brighter of the two sides, with Hernández trying one from range in the 49th minute. Thankfully, he hit it comfortably wide of Nicholls’ goal.
Two minutes later, Ryan Woods tried his luck with a volley from outside the box. Thankfully, Harry Toffolo was on hand to block superbly with his thigh!
The 69th minute saw Thomas hit the post! Some great play from the Welshman ended in a fierce strike from an acute angle whack straight off the post and out of play.
Moments later, Birmingham hit the post. Jeremie Bela squared the ball for former Town man Juninho Bacuna, but his shot towards the bottom corner hit the post after a deflection off Matty Pearson.
The 76th minute saw Nicholls unleash an EXCELLENT save! Hernández sent a hard, powerful strike towards goal, but our no.21 pushed it onto the bar before it cannoned back out to safety!
The game settled for the remainder, with neither side able to find any clear-cut chances.
The referee blew his whistle after six minutes of added time, seeing Town walk away with all three Sky Bet Championship points.
Town’s Line-Up (4-3-3)
Lee Nicholls; Harry Toffolo, Levi Colwill, Matty Pearson, Ollie Turton; Jonathan Hogg, Lewis O’Brien, Jon Russell; Duane Holmes (Danel Sinani, 77’), Jordan Rhodes (Danny Ward, 79’), Sorba Thomas (Josh Koroma, 90’)
Unused Subs
Jamal Blackman; Josh Ruffels, Naby Sarr, Carel Eiting
Town Scorers
Gary Gardner (og, 27’), Lewis O’Brien (44’)
