Huddersfield Town player ratings as Dion Charles shines with brace against Mansfield
Lee Grant's side put their losing run to an end with a much better team performance that produced a 3-1 win and puts the Terriers into knockout stage of the Vertu Trophy
Owen Goodman - 7
Needed a positive performance after some recent nightmares and delivered it. Came off his line confidently and won the ball cleanly to stop a Mansfield attack off a flicked-on goal kick from the other end. Was clattered after racing out to punt away Josh Feeney’s under-hit backpass and went down holding his hip, but was able to continue. Excellent diving stop to keep out Louis Reed’s well-struck free kick, and then another to stop George Maris straight after the break, only for the rebound to drop nicely for Dom Dwyer to score.
Lasse Sorensen - 7
Got forward to join the attack to decent effect, but did get caught out with his defensive duties on a couple of occasions, including giving Kyle McAdam took much time and space to pick out his pass into the box as Mansfield pulled one back immediately after the break. Did an important bit of defending to win a clean challenge despite having just taking a finger to the eye, only going down once he had got the ball clear.
Josh Feeney - 7
Kept his composure amid a scramble to turn home Town’s second goal from a corner — his first competitive goal for the club. Not tight or reactive enough to Maris on the Mansfield goal, but that was the only real blight on an otherwise solid performance.
Radinio Balker - 7
Made his first club appearance of the season with Joe Low ruled out through injury. Wasted no opportunity to remind us of his ability to making driving runs forward with the ball. Unable to get to the rebound from Goodman’s save before Dwyer as Mansfield scored, but put in plenty of other good work throughout the game.
Sean Roughan - 7
Was quiet for much of the first half but put in a lovely delivery for Dion Charles’ disallowed goal and continued to put dangerous balls into the box or through the lines after the break.
Ben Wiles - 7
Played off the right of a new-look 4-4-2, with license to come inside to more of a number 10 role. Won some useful flick-ons from corners, including the one from which Feeney eventually scored, and hit the post with a side-footed volley in the first half. Had a fierce strike deflected wide soon after half time. Had a few stray passes here and there but generally a lot better.
Dan Vost - 7
Did a very mature and responsible job plugging holes in the side wherever they arose from other players pushing forward. Appropriately tidy on the ball.
Marcus Harness - 7
Played in central midfield, and performed his duties well at both ends of the pitch. Caused problems with his set piece deliveries. Always available to the wide men to go back to in the middle if they ran into a dead end, which helped Town keep the pressure on in the final third.
Cameron Ashia - 7
Had his square ball cut out on the way to Town opening the scoring in somewhat comical fashion. Should have done better than shooting straight at the keeper when Dion Charles returned the favour by playing him in a few minutes later. Constantly worked hard to get into good positions to cause problems in Mansfield box, even if he looked a bit indecisive with the ball when he got there — but no doubt his presence was a benefit to Town.
Joe Taylor - 5
Partnered Charles in an out-and-out front two. Looked determined to make an impression in the early going and played a lovely quick free kick behind the defence for Charles early on. Snatched at a couple of decent chances that came his way off square balls around the hour, putting both off target. Alternated between looking positive and looking frustrated, much to his detriment; a more even keel would go a long way.
Dion Charles - 8
Even he had to laugh that his first goal for the club came from deflecting a clearance into the net, but he earned that luck with his part in the build-up to that third-minute opener. Tried to round the keeper a few minutes later but was thwarted. Had a well-taken header disallowed for offside (correctly, by the looks of things) just before half time. Was denied what looked to be nailed-on penalty early in the second half. Put home a powerful header late on. Excellent performance all round and no less than he deserved after working his knackers off all evening.
Substitutes
Mickel Miller (for Ashia 78) - Got more important minutes to see out the game on the left wing. 6
Ryan Ledson (for Harness 78) - Provided an inch-perfect cross off a half-cleared corner for Charles’ second goal as Town killed the game off. 7
Jay Sway (for Sorensen 90+1) - n/a
Unused substitutes: Jacob Chapman, George Iorpenda, Ruben Roosken, Bojan Radulovic.
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