Town now unbeaten in 14 after draw in Yorkshire derby
- Huddersfield Town 0-0 Sheffield United
- Town make it 14 unbeaten in all competitions
- Fourth successive clean sheet for the Terriers
Town's players will feel they did enough to take all three points against Sheffield United in Saturday afternoon's 0-0 draw.
Despite extending their unbeaten run to 14, and securing a fourth successive clean sheet, the huge talking point was Jon Russell’s disallowed goal.
Carlos Corberán made four changes to his starting XI, seeing Josh Ruffels and Russell handed their first Championship starts of their career, whilst Pipa and Josh Koroma also came back into the side.
The opening moments lacked much goalmouth action but still had a great pace to them, helping to create a proper derby atmosphere!
The first half-sight at goal fell Town’s way in the 18th minute. Danny Ward made a lovely connection to a cross from Pipa, but could only head it just wide.
Moments later, it was Sheffield United’s turn to try their luck. Thankfully, goalkeeper Lee Nicholls was on hand to rush to his near post and gather a scruffy header from Oli McBurnie.
The game settled for a period, before Ward unleashed an outrageous turn in midfielder to lose his man and set Sorba Thomas away. Unfortunately, the visitors were just about able to get it clear.
Ward tried his luck again moments later, but saw his effort go wide.
The 39th minute saw absolute heartbreak for Town, as Russell thought he’d given the Terriers the lead! The B Team midfielder headed home from a Town corner, but the referee pulled play back for a perceived foul by Ward in the box as Russell ran to celebrate!
The replays showed that Ward seemed to have been hauled down by defender George Baldock initially, but the decision was made.
The second half started much as the first had ended, with Lewis O’Brien skipping through several challenges before seeing his effort loop over the bar.
Minutes later, Town’s defence were called into action as the Blades broke forward with pace. Matty Pearson tracked back to deny Billy Sharp the chance to shoot, before Nicholls made a brave save at the feet of McBurnie.
The 61st minute saw some great team play from O’Brien, Thomas, and Pipa end with a snapshot from Josh Koroma. Unfortunately for Town, it was well saved by West Foderingham.
Seven minutes later, The General tried his luck! Jonathan Hogg rose highest to meet a Thomas corner at the near post, but got just too much on it and headed well over.
Town continued to build on their momentum, with second half substitute Duane Holmes producing a great run and cross. Unfortunately, his delivery was just too quick for Thomas to get on the end of.
The 84th minute came with an UNBELIEVABLE save from Nicholls! A Blades corner is played to John Fleck outside the box, whose goalbound hit was met with a magnificent save from our no.21! Nicholls turned it onto the post and let it rebound back out off his knee for a corner, which was cleared!
The second minute of injury time saw Hogg pick up Town’s only yellow card of the game.
The final whistle blew, seeing Town walk away with a point after a good performance against one of the Championship's in-form sides. The performances of Russell, Ruffels and others gave the Terriers a good feeling despite the spoils being shared.
Town’s Line-Up (4-3-3)
Lee Nicholls; Josh Ruffels (Danel Sinani, 76’), Tom Lees, Matty Pearson, Pipa; Lewis O’Brien, Jonathan Hogg, Jon Russell; Josh Koroma (Duane Holmes, 66’), Danny Ward (Harry Toffolo, 88’), Sorba Thomas
Unused Subs
Jamal Blackman; Jordan Rhodes, Ollie Turton, Carel Eiting
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