Huddersfield Town player ratings as ten-man Terriers turn on style to smash AFC Wimbledon
Derensili Sanches Fernandes bagged an early brace before Bali Mumba was sent off on 29 minutes, with Bojan Radulovic adding a third goal in the second half
Matty Young - 8
Showed off his distribution right from the off with some very promising balls straight over the top for the forward to run onto. Didn’t have a save to make for much of the game but was again very commanding on crosses. Was unsighted by an offside Marcus Browne as Wimbledon had a goal disallowed, and later saved well from Browne’s long shot by tipping it onto the post.
Ilias Bronkhorst - 8
Hit the post on eight minutes after a brilliant bit of skill to get past his man inside the box. Kept getting forward, even with Town down to ten men, and unlucky not to be able to connect with Marcus Harness’ cutback from the byline midway through the first half. Did a great job in and around his own box too. Long throw was a weapon too.
Radinio Balker - 9
Another excellent centre-back outing, in particular making a block late in the first half to stop Aron Sasu getting a tap-in. You won’t see a better assist from a centre-back all season, either: one-two off Bronkhorst on the right flank, skinned his man, gave Bojan Radulovic a tap-in. Lovely stuff.
Jack Whatmough - 8
Consistently solid no-nonsense performance. Won every header that came his way and was composed in possession.
Ibane Bowat - 7
Played a couple of brilliant raking balls from his own half to go straight through to Ashley Fletcher. Played much of the game as an out-and-out left-back after Mumba’s dismissal, which isn’t really his game, but did well enough and played a part in the move that led to Town’s third goal.
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Derensili Sanches Fernandes - 9 (MotM)
Rather fortunate that his finish to put Town ahead after 4 minutes went straight through the keeper — but fantastic running to earn himself that bit of luck in the first place. No asterisk needed for his brilliantly-taken second goal after playing off Ledson and Bronkhorst to get into the box.
Ryan Ledson - 8
Made numerous interceptions and blocks around the edge of the Town box and beyond. Did a lot of the unglamourous work to allow more spectacular players to shine, which is absolutely sound in our book.
Marcus Harness - 8
Partnered Ledson in central midfield until Bali Mumba’s red card forced change at the break, with Harness going out to the left wing.
Bali Mumba - 4
Was having a positive outing on the left wing before he went flying into a needless, over-excited challenge that he didn’t need to make on the corner of the Wimbledon box…just slightly too high, late and high-speed for any outcome except a straight red card, despite the protests of the players and the home fans.
Ashley Fletcher - 8
Spent the whole game getting manhandled but was unfazed by it and gave back as good as he got. Consistently won what looked to be 50/50 balls at best to keep Town on the front foot. Had more than done his part but the time he departed just after the hour.
Joe Taylor - 9
Terrific performance on and off the ball throughout his 45 minutes on the pitch. Deserves most of the credit for Town racing to an early lead after robbing the ball inside his own half and charging forward to play in Sanches Fernandes. Worked tirelessly throughout the first half and made several more important tackles, including in his own box, and looked a threat on the counter-attack.
Substitutes
David Kasumu (for Taylor 46) - Sent on to give a bit of extra protection to the midfield and help Town carry the ball away from danger, and did that job well. Unable to play Radulovic in at the end of a great break upfield, which was a shame. 7
Bojan Radulovic (for Fletcher 63) - On for his first minutes of any kind since April, and straight onto the scoresheet as he finished off Balker’s charge upfield. 7
Murray Wallace (for Sanches Fernandes 64) - Turns the defence into a back three as Town went from 4-4-1 to 5-3-1. 7
Lynden Gooch (for Harness 85) - n/a
Joe Low (for Bowat 90+2) - n/a
Unused substitutes: Nik Tzanev, Ethan Brierley.
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