Huddersfield Town player ratings as late Josh Koroma goal enough at Shrewsbury
The Terriers were unconvincing for much of the game but found the winner late on as substitute Antony Evans set up Josh Koroma for a well-taken effort
Five conclusions on this game are here!
Lee Nicholls - 6
Saved well from a looping Shrewsbury corner that was headed towards the far bottom corner. Had to come out and punch under pressure a couple of times, and looked nervy as he punted the ball at an onrushing opponent late on - thankfully no harm done.
Lasse Sorensen - 8
Twice showed great awareness to stop Shrewsbury from getting tap-ins off crosses from the other flank in the first half - each as good as a goal. Kept that up with the rest of his defending and got himself out of tight spaces several times. Lovely ball to find Dion Charles as he sent Antony Evans away to set up Josh Koroma’s goal.
Radinio Balker - 6
Will have gone off the pitch covered in bruises after being clattered a few times, including a couple of collisions with Nicholls.
Tom Lees - 8
Consistently dealt with the balls that were sent his way, and clever with some of his decision-making and little nudges to put off Shrewsbury attackers. Superb last-ditch work to get across and deflect a John Marquis strike onto the bar late on.
Josh Ruffels - 6
Made his first start in over two months with Brodie Spencer suspended. Good in the first half and quieter after the break, but did well with what he had to do on and off the ball. Found himself overloaded at times early on through no fault of his own - shades of Ollie Turton against Blackpool at times - but Town were able to get that flank plugged up. Got away with giving the ball away just outside the box late on.
Ben Wiles - 4
Played off the right wing in a 4-4-2 but had plenty of license to come inside. Not in the game as much as he would have liked and went off jsut before the hour having had little impact on proceedings.
David Kasumu - 6
Slightly lucky to avoid a yellow card for a cynical foul midway through the first half, and again for a handball in the second half. Overlooked by Tawanda Chirewa as he sprinted into the box unmarked just before the break. Kept going and going, as we’ve come to expect, doing plenty of work at both ends of the field right to the last.
Jonathan Hogg - 5
Started well but began to show some frustrations towards the end of the first half and went in the book for a rash challenge just before the hour. Gave the ball away just outside the Town box to hold Shrewsbury a big chance and will have been thankful to see Lees bail the side out.
Tawanda Chirewa - 6
Full of plenty of good running and beat men for fun at times but alternately didn’t have the quality or decision making he needed at the end of those runs. Needed to help Ruffels a bit more at times early on, but in fairness did start doing that after a couple of warnings from Shrewsbury.
Callum Marshall - 4
Busy and quiet at the same time, particularly in the second half. Not quite on the same page as Koroma on a couple of occasions.
Josh Koroma - 7
Had a first-half effort headed off the line after doing all he could to try and catch Jamal Blackman outside his box. Took over from Chirewa on the left wing for the closing stages. Shot wide of the far post from a great chance created by Joe Hodge just after the midfielder’s introduction, but made no mistake as he put away Antony Evans’ low cross to give Town the lead.
Substitutes
Antony Evans (for Wiles 59) - Back from an injury setback and took over like for like from Wiles. Great run and fantastic ball across the face of goal for Koroma to score. 7
Dion Charles (for Chirewa 73) - Went on up front alongside Marshall with Koroma going left wing. Lovely pass for Evans to set up the goal. Good footwork to retain the ball high up the pitch and help Town see out the game. 7
Joe Hodge (for Hogg 73) - Immediately into the fray to create a chance for Koroma with a good run on the counter-attack. 6
Freddie Ladapo (for Marshall 84) - Decent late showing. Had an injury time shot saved. n/a
Unused substitutes: Jacob Chapman, Loick Ayina, Ollie Turton.
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