Josh Koroma goal in second half secures deserved point for Town
- Sunderland 1-1 Huddersfield Town
- Joe Gelhardt opened scoring in the first half
- Equaliser in the second half from Josh Koroma
An intense Sky Bet Championship game at the Stadium of Light, with both sides showing unwavering effort and determination, saw Town secure a point thanks to a second half goal from Josh Koroma.
A strong Town side restricted Sunderland this evening in the Sky Bet Championship and created some brilliant chances in a full team performance, with Jaheim Headley and Brahima Diarra putting our hosts through the works, not to mention Josh Koroma's equaliser to lift the spirits of our travelling fans – all on the back of our starting side playing the full 90 minutes without a substitute made.
Manager Neil Warnock made two changes coming into this evening’s game with Josh Ruffels and Josh Koroma returning to the starting line-up, with Jonathan Hogg out due to a knock and Rarmani Edmonds-Green amongst our substitutes on the bench. Due to the absence of Hogg, Tom Lees led our Terriers against Sunderland.
Despite Town starting the game strong and having great chances, the Black Cats secured a one goal advantage in the first half due to a goal from Joe Gelhardt in the 35th minute.
Before this, the first chance for Town came from Danny Ward in the centre of the box after he hit a ball from Ruffels first time from close range, but this chance was deflected after it was blocked well by Sunderland and Town were awarded their first corner of the game.
Dan Neil was shown a yellow card not long after the corner for a foul on Brahima Diarra in our attacking half as the youngster put in the work and challenged for the ball in space. This free kick led to Town’s second corner as it fell to Ruffels who’s cross was knocked out by Alex Pritchard.
Our Czech Republic international ‘keeper made a fantastic save to keep the score level just before the Sunderland goal as he got down to his left and palmed the ball away.
The north east side took the lead through Gelhardt’s shot from just outside the box as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
B Team midfielder Diarra regained possession again brought the team forward, from this Ruffels crossed the ball to Headley who sliced wide for a very narrow angle.
Headley had the last chance of the first half with a powerful strike from outside the box, but just goes high and over the bar – which meant the Terriers trailed going into the second half.
Just after the break, Headley was shown the yellow card in attempt to stop a Sunderland break. The second half also saw yellow cards shown David Kasumu as well as Sunderland’s captain Danny Batth for a foul on Headley.
After a better start in the second half for the Terriers, Koroma crossed the ball out wide the Headley at the far post, but his shot is rushed and goes just wide after it went across the face of goal.
Despite the ball being in the back of the net for Town, the referee gave a free kick to Sunderland due to a push in the build-up.
Then, in the 59th minute, Koroma equalised for the Terriers! Josh drove through the Black Cats’ midfield to the edge of the box and struck the ball into the back of the net, after a deflection, and into the far corner.
Diallo proved to be a real threat as his shot from range towards the bottom corner forced Tomáš Vaclík to tip the ball round the post for a corner, which is defended well by Town.
An intense three minutes of extra time saw both sides determined to find the winner, which included Jack Clarke being shown the yellow card after a foul on Koroma.
Town’s Team (4-2-3-1)
Tomáš Vaclík; Matty Pearson, Tom Lees, Michał Helik, Josh Ruffels; David Kasumu, Jack Rudoni; Josh Koroma, Brahima Diarra, Jaheim Headley; Danny Ward
Unused Substitutes
Nicholas Bilokapic, Jordan Rhodes, Joe Hungbo, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Ben Jackson, Matt Lowton, Martyn Waghorn
Town’s Bookings
Jaheim Headley (47’), David Kasumu (67’)
