Huddersfield Town player ratings from dogged victory away at Mansfield
Ben Wiles and Josh Koroma both got on the scoresheet in the first half either side of a Mansfield equaliser, with the game bafflingly ending with just those goals
For five conclusions on the Mansfield game, head here!
Jacob Chapman - 8
Saved a header from Mansfield’s first real chance of the game, only for the rebound to be slotted home. Tested numerous times early in the second half and stood up to it superbly. Had to be brave to come for a few 50/50 balls at risk of getting hurt but put himself on the line.
Matty Pearson - 7
Back into the side after his injury scare, lining up on the right of the back three. Really good in the first half but looked a bit rushed and desperate at times early in the second, but finished the game well.
Michal Helik - 7
Passing wayward at times in a way that the wind did not adequately explain, but defensively solid in difficult conditions. Took a yellow card for the team with a cynical foul that did just enough to stop Will Evans blazing through on Chapman in first half injury time.
Tom Lees - 6
Took Nigel Lonwijk’s place on the left of the back three to accommodate Pearson’s return. Put a diving header straight at the keeper from a free kick soon after the break, then was beaten on the way to a Mansfield effort moments later that Chapman kept out. Great in the air as Town had to dig in in the second half, but was incredibly relieved to see his backwards header in the final seconds come back out off the crossbar.
Ollie Turton - 7
Quick to put his man under pressure and blocked a lot of the crosses Mansfield tried from his side. Always quick to react in the press and played some smart little balls inside to the strikers.
David Kasumu - 6
An irritant in all the ways Huddersfield would want him to be. Had a lot of ground to cover in an open game, but got through it without issue, as you would expect. Read the game well off the ball.
Herbie Kane - 6
Not exactly the day for pinpoint accurate lofted passes, but adapted his game and still actually made one or two of them work.
Josh Koroma - 8
Carried the ball a long old way to get to the byline and put a dangerous cutback across the box that Callum Marshall couldn’t connect with but Ben Wiles put into the net. Continued to look dangerous from wing-back before moving up front following Marshall’s withdrawal. Kept his composure after getting put through on goal by a Danny Ward through ball, finding the bottom corner to restore the visitors’ lead just two minutes after Mansfield equalised. Absolutely wiped out by the keeper as he tried to round him to give himself an empty net, but nothing given. Massive shift.
Ben Wiles - 7
One of those weird mixed bag Ben Wiles gamesGreat run and unstoppable finish off the inside of the post to put Town in the lead early on, peeling off to the back post into acres of space to pick his spot. Struggled a bit as the first half wore on with some heavy touches that allowed him to be closed down and dispossessed, but still kept creating chances for teammates. Really upped his defensive work rate in the closing stages with some great tracking back.
Danny Ward - 8
Proved an excellent facilitator. Shook off an early knock to keep playing and looked keen. Unable to get a shot off after bearing his man one-on-one midway through the first half. A provider of useful knockdowns and touchbacks, but actually received one from Koroma before playing an inch-perfect ball over the top to return it to his teammate in behind the Mansfield defence. Got Koroma in again when he was wiped out after the break, then once more only for Koroma to stumble over it.
Callum Marshall - 5
Forced off with an injury midway through the first half following a collision he couldn’t shake off. No knock on him, just not enough time on the pitch to make a significant impact but good movement on the opener to help make space for Wiles.
Substitutes
Josh Ruffels (for Marshall 24) - Took over at left wing-back and put in a decent outing, winning challenges and getting forward appropriately. Looked understandably cream crackered by the end, allowing Mansfield to get in behind him a couple of times. 6
Jonathan Hogg (for Kane 70) - Sent on to compete in a scrappy midfield. 6
Freddie Ladapo (for Ward 70) - Worked hard to try and close down the ball and help Town see out the result. Perfectly adequate showing. 5
Bojan Radulovic (for Koroma 78) - Offered himself as a target man, to mixed results. Earned a yellow for the most cynical of challenges. n/a
Unused substitutes: Chris Maxwell, Nigel Lonwijk, Brodie Spencer.
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