Town equalise to secure a point at the John Smith’s Stadium
- Huddersfield Town 1-1 Queens Park Rangers
- Martyn Waghorn scores his first goal for Town
- Terriers equalise to secure draw
Town drew 1-1 against QPR in the Sky Bet Championship after scoring an equaliser in the first half to secure a point at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Martyn Waghorn scored his first goal as a Terrier in the 39th minute and, despite being the more dominant side towards the end of the second half, Town finished with just a point at home in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Terriers started well and were awarded a free-kick as early as six minutes into the game as home debutant Joe Hungbo was fouled by Chris Willock in a dangerous area following a great combination between the winger and the returning Ollie Turton. Jack Rudoni stepped up to take the set piece and delivered the ball into the box, which was defended really well by QPR as the Town players tried to attack at the far post.
However, our visitors scored in the 13th minute to open the scoreline as Matthew Lowton's misplaced header allowed Jamal Lowe to head the ball over the advancing Tomáš Vaclík, who was coming off his line to make the save, and into the back of the net.
Hungbo was a standout player for Town in the first half as he made the runs down the right side and caused their defence problems, being fouled multiple times whilst on the attack.
His directness led to the Town equaliser, as we were awarded another free kick in shooting distance of the goal as Hungbo is once again fouled, which resulted in a yellow card being shown to Jake Clarke-Salter. Hungbo stepped up and took the free kick direct and although Seny Dieng initially saved, Turton squared the rebound to Martyn Waghorn who nodded the ball home from close range and equalised for the Terriers in the – his first Town goal in his home debut.
The last chance for our visitors in the first half came as Lowe fancied his chances from range and although it bounced in front of him, Vaclík managed to turn it around the post and out for a corner.
Just before the whistle for half time, Matt Lowton helped push Town forwards but his cross to Waghorn just caught the striker offside.
As both sides came out in search of the winner, the second half started tense from the get-go with the points vital for either team.
Hungbo was soon fouled out wide when pushed over after a long pass was sent in his direction. The set piece was crossed into the box and found Waghorn, his volley was deflected out and despite the screams from the Town players in the box for hand ball, the referee gave a corner.
Multiple corners were awarded to Town, the first after substitute Josh Koroma saw his cross into the box deflected, which was followed by a great attack from Town with Koroma’s knocked out before it reached the feet of Anthony Knockaert on his home debut.
In the final 10 minutes, Town had a burst of chances as they looked to finish the game strong, with brilliant play from Knockaert and Turton to win a corner, which was followed by another corner, but this was defended and put back into open play.
A positive run from David Kasumu led to another chance - he drove into the area and found Jordan Rhodes, but Dieng did well to make himself big and turn the shot wide of his left-hand post.
Injury time saw substitute Brahima Diarra swerve past a couple of the QPR defenders before he struck a brilliant ball, which just went wide of the goal – Dieng dove to make the save as he thought it was going in.
Town’s Team (4-3-2-1)
Tomáš Vaclík; Ollie Turton, Tom Lees, Michał Helik (Matty Pearson, 79'), Matt Lowton; Scott High (Josh Koroma, 64'), Jonathan Hogg (Anthony Knockaert, 64'), David Kasumu; Joseph Hungbo (Brahima Diarra, 70'), Jack Rudoni; Martyn Waghorn (Jordan Rhodes, 64')
Unused Subs
Nicholas Bilokapic, Jaheim Headley
Goal
Martyn Waghorn (39’)
