Town draw away from home
- West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Huddersfield Town
- Town extend unbeaten run to 17 Championship games
- Danny Ward bagged a brace
Huddersfield Town were unfortunate to see a late comeback from West Bromwich Albion split the Sky Bet Championship points at the Hawthorns on Friday evening.
Danny Ward’s brace gave Town what should have been a comfortable lead, but late goals from Karlan Grant and Andy Carroll saw the hosts level the scoreline.
The Baggies got off to the brighter side of the two sides, pressing well and making Town work hard to keep them at bay.
The Terriers then grew into the game, having their first chance in the 18th minute. Danel Sinani tried his luck from range, but it was well off target.
As the clock showed 24 minutes played, the deadlock was broken! Ward led the press from the front, tearing down on Sam Johnstone who couldn’t clear quickly enough, seeing Wardy’s outstretched leg deflecting his attempted kick back into the goal!
West Brom had two attempts on goal courtesy of Kyle Bartley. His first saw his overhead kick go comfortably over Nicholls’ bar, whilst his second was headed well wide from a long Darnell Furlong throw.
Sorba Thomas was on hand with a lovely break in the 43rd minute, nutmegging Kyle Bartley before playing Sinani in. The latter flicked through towards Ward, who was flagged offside.
The hosts had the first half chance of the second half, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman attempting to take advantage of Town losing possession. Fortunately, it was wide of the target.
The 54th minute saw Tom Lees come incredibly close to getting himself on the teamsheet! Ollie Turton delivered an absolute beauty on to his forehead, but the resulting header went straight at Johnstone.
Chances for O’Brien and Turton followed, but neither were able to find the back of the net.
Ward had Town’s best chance at doubling their lead in the 65th minute, bursting forward to get onto the end of a Harry Toffolo cross. Unfortunately for the Terriers, he just couldn’t get a boot on it.
Nine minutes later, Town’s pressure paid off! Some excellent work from Jonathan Hogg and Jon Russell played in O’Brien, who saw Johnstone parry his shot straight into Wardy’s path for a tap-in! His 13th goal of the season, it saw the striker beat his best ever goalscoring season – 12 goals for Rotherham United in 2016/17.
However, the momentum of the game shifted in the 82nd minute as
The 82nd minute saw West Brom handed a penalty, which former Town man Grant was able to hit home from the spot. Thomas was adjudged to have fouled Alex Mowatt with a high foot on the edge of the box, which also saw the forward receive a yellow card, although the Town fans watching on Sky were debating that decision on social media.
The hosts then found their equaliser three minutes later, with Carroll heading home a cross from the right.
Hoggy was booked in the 90th minute for a late challenge.
Town piled the pressure on an additional five minutes of injury time, with Russell and second half substitute Jordan Rhodes both unlucky not to retrieve the lead.
The final whistle blew, seeing the spoils shared at the Hawthorns.
Town’s Line-Up (4-4-2)
Lee Nicholls; Harry Toffolo, Tom Lees, Matty Pearson, Ollie Turton; Lewis O’Brien, Jon Russell, Jonathan Hogg, Danel Sinani (Levi Colwill, 77’); Danny Ward (Jordan Rhodes, 89’), Sorba Thomas (Tino Anjorin, 89’)
Unused Subs
Jamal Blackman; Pipa, Duane Holmes, Carel Eiting
Town Scorer
Danny Ward (24’, 74’)
Town Bookings
Sorba Thomas (82’), Jonathan Hogg (90’)
