Town draw at home but extend unbeaten run
- Huddersfield Town 1-1 Stoke City
- Terriers now unbeaten in 10 games
- Josh Koroma scores his fourth of the season
Huddersfield Town extended their unbeaten run to 10 in all competitions with a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City at the John Smith’s Stadium on Friday evening.
The result makes it the first time that Town have gone unbeaten in what is now the Championship since 1984, but there was frustration at the final whistle after another game of two very different halves.
It was a flying start for the Terriers, with Danny Ward glancing and early header just over after Josh Koroma fed dribbled past his full back.
Town stayed on the front foot, attacking in numbers and pressing relentlessly, but Lee Nicholls was called into action in the 19th minute - producinh a great save to tip Mario Vrancic’s quickly taken drive over the crossbar.
Town continued to make the running and the deadlock was broken in the 27th minute, thanks to Koroma! Lewis O’Brien fed the winger down the left channel, who cut inside Ben Wilmot and let one go with his right. His shot deflected off the defender's outstrateched boot, looping into the back of the net past goalkeeper Jack Bonham!
We continued to put the pressure on in the opening 45. The ball was soon worked forward with Sorba Thomas, Ollie Turton, and O’Brien all combing to feed Ward. Unfortunately, after working space, the striker could only see his effort go straight at Bonham.
However, just moments later, Nicholls made another HUGE save to keep the Terriers ahead! Jaden Philogene-Bidace got through one-on-one, but our no.21 saw his effort round the post for a corner.
Town responded well to the threat, with Turton playing out a lovely crossfield ball to Thomas on the left, who drilled a low cross towards Ward. Wardy attempted a first time flick, and was unlucky to not hit the target!
Stoke introduced Joe Allen at the break and started to get a foothold in the game.
The Potters had a chance for an equaliser in the 55th minute as Wilmot raced up the pitch before unleashing a shot that Tom Lees bravely took in the gut.
Town came close to netting their second 20 minutes later. Some superb work from Thomas saw his initial shot saved by Bonham, before the rebound fell awkwardly to second half substitute Duane Holmes, who headed over.
However, Stoke's territorial pressure eventually paid off and they found their equaliser through Jacob Brown in the 78th minute. Following a period of pressure which saw several attempts on goal, with winger Jaden Philogene-Bidace hitting the post, the ball eventually fell to substitute Jacob Brown, who sent an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
Both Nicholls and Tyrese Campbell were booked for a confrontation in the aftermath.
Town’s second yellow card fell to O’Brien in the 83rd minute following a challenge on Brown.
As the clock continued to count down to full-time the game became frantic, with both teams flying forward in their hunt for a winner.
The third minute of injury time saw Town try their luck on goal. Toffolo took the ball inside the box, playing it to second half substitute Scott High. Unfortunately, his curling effort was plucked out of the air by Bonham.
Just seconds later, Stoke countered, but Toffolo got back to produce a superb stop.
Following seven minutes of injury time, the referee blew the final whistle, seeing the points split at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Town’s Line-Up (4-2-3-1)
Lee Nicholls; Harry Toffolo, Tom Lees, Matty Pearson, Ollie Turton; Lewis O’Brien, Jonathan Hogg; Josh Koroma (Duane Holmes, 72’), Danel Sinani (Scott High, 79’), Sorba Thomas; Danny Ward (Jordan Rhodes, 72’)
Unused Subs
Nicholas Bilokapic; Josh Ruffels, Naby Sarr, Jon Russell
Town Scorer
Josh Koroma (27’)
Town Bookings
Lee Nicholls (79’), Lewis O’Brien (83’)
