Huddersfield Town player verdicts as Bali Mumba scores in defeat at Fleetwood
A penalty and a Jack Whatmough own goal either side of Bali Mumba's strike had Fleetwood 2-1 up when the first team went off, with no goals either way thereafter as the Terriers saw a penalty saved
First 65 minutes
Matty Young (full 90) — Put Town in trouble with a poor kick out to a Fleetwood man 30 yards from goal, resulting in the hosts getting a penalty. Went the right way and got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. Made a great stop to keep out a header to the top corner, only for Fleetwood to go back ahead from the resulting corner.
Radinio Balker — Has had better games. Made a clumsy challenge on Ronan Coughlan to give away another pre-season penalty. Failed to control a goal kick from the Fleetwood keeper as Coughlan got in and hit the bar. Steady away thereafter.
Jack Whatmough — Overall composed on the ball as Town tried to draw the Fleetwood press to create space in midfield. Was a bit unfortunate to see a Fleetwood corner go in off his shoulder, but might also be disappointed to have let his man get in front of him and leave him unsighted in the first place. A shame, as he had dominated his patch of grass up to that point.
Murray Wallace (off 46) — Played a wonderful ball in behind for Joe Taylor early on that saw him round the goalkeeper. Was involved in a nasty collision with the Fleetwood stopper as he challenged for a cross from deep, but was thankfully able to continue after a couple of minutes. Seemed to have a bit of difficulty taking a throw-in just before the break and was taken off at the interval.
Lynden Gooch — Better. Good interception and through ball for Taylor midway through the first half, but not early enough to keep him onside. Repeated the trick to get Taylor in again later in the first half. Moved over to left-back for the second half with Max Murray on at right-back.
Ethan Brierley — A quieter game than his last two summer outings. Put in a couple of decent set piece deliveries.
Ryan Ledson — Stumbled over the ball on the edge of his own box to allow Fleetwood a chance that Young did well to keep out. Often bypassed in midfield with both sides often playing over or around the middle of the pitch. Nice ball through to Taylor just before the hour that he finished off only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Bali Mumba — Continued his positive pre-season form with another threatening display on the left wing. Equalised just before the half hour after timing his run into the box to perfection and keeping his composure to beat the keeper. Responsible enough job at the back.
Antony Evans — One of two number tens behind Taylor, alongside Ashley Fletcher. Had a couple of decent-looking efforts from the edge of the box blocked late in the first half.
Ashley Fletcher — Showed at the weekend and in this game that he has a bit of quality with the ball at his feet. Brilliant threaded pass to find Mumba’s run for the equaliser - absolutely put it on a plate for him. Seemed to enjoy his link-up with Mumba on that left side, which looked very productive. Played a part in Town’s disallowed goal in the second half.
Joe Taylor — Just cannot catch a break in front of goal this summer despite having a fleet of chances yet again. Got round the keeper on the end of Wallace’s ball but was forced wide in the process and made a mess of his ball into the box to let the opportunity slip. Made his run too early to get onto Gooch’s ball (or perhaps the pass came later than he wanted, to be fair) that would have got him clean through again. Got a legitimate one-v-one on 35 minutes but saw his shot saved. Thought he had finally broken his duck just before Town made their changes on the hour, rounding the keeper again and slotting into the net, but again the flag was up — erroneously this time, we think. Showed his frustration after not quite being able to reach Gooch’s cross from deep on the left just before going off.
Substitutes
Max Murray (for Wallace 46) — Played at right-back. Should have had an assist with one of his trademark long throws with Ian Togo didn’t manage to connect with from point-blank range. Shot into the side-netting after bursting into the box at the end of a good Town move after his academy colleagues came on.
From 65 minutes
Matty Young (from 0); Max Murray (on 46), Marlie Neil, Ian Togo, Dylan Tawodzera; Dan Vost, Luke Schofield; Zac Bowker, Jamie Spencer, Sahil Bashir; Michael Onyeka.
Unused substitutes: Nik Tzanev, Nik Idemudia.
Michael Onyeka won a penalty after his persistent work saw him win the ball on the edge of the box before being scythed down by the goalkeeper, with Sahil Bashir having his spot kick saved at the bottom corner.