Town knocked out of Emirates FA Cup
- Nottingham Forest 2-1 Huddersfield Town
- Town bow out in Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
- Tom Lees on the scoresheet again
Huddersfield Town fell just short at the City Ground on Monday evening, bowing out of the Emirates FA Cup in the Fifth Round.
Despite taking the lead through a Tom Lees header, Nottingham Forest came from behind to turn the tables and secure their progression.
The hosts had the brighter start, enjoying plenty of early possession. Their first chance at goal came in the 10th minute, with James Garner trying from range. Thankfully, it was well saved by Jamal Blackman.
Seconds later, Forest had the ball in the back of the net with Sam Surridge finishing first time from a Brennan Johnson cross, but the assistant referee ruled it out for offside.
The 13th minute saw Town break the deadlock with our first clear chance! Danel Sinani swung in an excellent corner delivery towards the near post that Tom Lees rose highest for to nod home - his third goal in just two games!
The game continued at an absolutely frantic pace, with both sides looking dangerous when they broke forward.
Forest found their equaliser in the 29th minute thanks to Surridge. Naby Sarr slid in to deny Ryan Yates as he tried to latch onto a through ball, but it bounced into the path of the striker, who finished in accomplished fasion across Blackman and into the far corner.
Town had a huge change to regain the lead four minutes later, when Pipa hit the post after a lay off by Eiting! Unfortunately for Town, Ethan Horvath recovered in Town to block Thomas’ follow up on the line.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 38th minute, as Ryan Yates headed home a Forest free-kick.
Town had a half chance just before the break, but their corner was cleared comfortably following some head tennis.
The second half started as the first had finished, with Town coming close in the 48th minute. Thomas was played clean through down the right channel, but crashed his drive into the side netting.
The frantic pace from the first half also remained in the second 45, with both sides flying forward at every opportunity.
Town tried to change things, bringing on Danny Ward for his 400th career appearance as well as Jordan Rhodes and switching to 4-4-2.
A dangerous free-kick fell to Town in the 73rd minute after Thomas was fouled on the wing. Unfortunately for the Terriers, Horvath made a great save down to his left to deny second half substitute Ward.
Moments later, Horvath denied Ward with another great save from the resulting corner.
The 77th minute saw Djed Spence miss a chance to further the hosts’ lead as the right back smashed a low cross over the bar at the far post.
11 minutes later, Forest wasted a huge chance to put the game to bed, with Garner miskicking as he was played in across goal.
Despite their best efforts, Town weren’t able to get anything out of the remaining minutes, seeing the hosts progress to the Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Finals.
Town’s Line-Up (3-4-3)
Jamal Blackman; Naby Sarr (Danny Ward, 54’), Tom Lees, Matty Pearson; Josh Ruffels (Harry Toffolo, 54’), Carel Eiting, Jonathan Hogg, Pipa; Sorba Thomas, Danel Sinani (Tino Anjorin, 79’), Duane Holmes (Jordan Rhodes, 67’)
Unused Subs
Lee Nicholls; Scott High, Ollie Turton, Aaron Rowe, Jon Russell
Town Scorer
Tom Lees (13’)
