Huddersfield Town player verdicts from 7-0 victory at Guiseley
Huddersfield Town player verdicts from 7-0 victory at Guiseley
Thoughts on the players in action as they debut Town's new away kit
Minutes 1-45
Chris Maxwell: First contribution of the afternoon was ballooning the ball over the stands following an untimely bobble. Had a laugh with Matty Pearson after a lucky escape through an offside flag. No threats on his goal to speak of.
Brodie Spencer: The right of three central defenders, he looked untroubled in the brief moments when Guiseley went on the offensive. A couple of loose passes but we will put that down to a bit of pre-season rust. Got himself forward down the right to help Sorensen.
Matty Pearson: Made a mistake that meant the ball landed at the forwards feet but caused no harm following the assistant referee’s offside flag. Was booked for giving a little bit of ‘off the ball physicality’ should we say. In fairness, the Guiseley number 9 had been giving his fair share all half so we don’t blame him for giving a little back.
Josh Ruffels: First 45 minutes of pre-season and it was good to see him back. Another good option at centre-half for Michael Duff.
Lasse Sorensen: The biggest compliment I can have for him was his persistence down the right flank. Guiseley found that the best way to deal with Sorensen’s relentless energy was to make sure he spent most of his time on the deck. Still managed to play some lovely looking crosses into the box. Made the fans chuckle when he squealed at Koroma “I’m coming Josh” in what would have been the world’s longest overlap.
Tom Iorpenda: Scored after just three minutes following a Guiseley defensive mix-up where the ball fortuitously fell to him 25 yards out with the goal wide open. Could and maybe should have had another later on but did extremely well to square it to Koroma with a fancy flick leading to the third goal. Again, looked comfortable dictating play and had a strong off the ball presence. It’s no secret that we think you’ll hear a lot more about him from us in the near future.
Jonathan Hogg: Remained disciplined throughout. Had an opportunity late in the half with only the goalkeeper to beat but his effort from the edge of the area was too tame to trouble the goal. Could be seen directing some of the youngsters into position.
Sorba Thomas: Lined up on the left of a three in central midfield, often drifting wider onto the left wing. Slipped through some lovely through balls behind the back line for both Ward and Koroma to latch onto, with the latter taking advantage of one of them.
Ben Jackson: Busy up the left side with his runs but didn’t have much to do in all honesty.
Danny Ward: Could have found himself on the scoresheet but just couldn’t quite do enough. Whistled a header wide of the post. Held up the ball well.
Josh Koroma: Caused issues for the opposition all half. Strength and speed allowed him to get in behind a handful of times. Took his first goal in style, cutting back onto his right foot and hammering it into the top right corner. His second goal was routine work as he hit it beyond the goalkeeper from short range.
Minutes 46-90
Jacob Chapman: Came out to confidently claim a cross with contact on him. Made a strong save with both his hands and body behind the ball.
Ollie Turton: Standard Ollie Turton. Composed in defending and even got himself on the scoresheet finding the bottom corner from outside the box. Overlapped well from centre-back.
Radinio Balker: Made a mistake early that put Guiseley through on goal but did just enough to recover and put the ball out for a corner. Other than that hiccup he clearly looks comfortable with the ball at his feet. Made a well-timed tackle/block to stop an effort on goal later in the half.
Michal Helik: Really should have scored from a Wiles free kick but lofted it over the bar. It is not often you will see a ball bounce over his tall frame but he misread a couple of long balls. Dealt with a few crosses, heading them clear of any danger.
Jaheim Headley: Had a good chance arriving late in the box but hit it wide. Played rather high on the left side linking with Wiles. Fired some delectable crosses across the floor, one of which was met by Radulovic to find the net. Stayed alert at the back — looks to have responded to the renewed left-sided competition from Mickel Miller. Played well.
David Kasumu: It just makes me feel a certain way watching him win the ball back. He just loves the physical battles in midfield. Played well in the middle of a midfield trio carrying the ball forward when the space opened up.
Josh Austerfield: Functioned in midfield. Carried the ball a couple times and kept the ball moving. Perhaps kept a hold of the ball a little too long sometimes but nothing too serious. Kept making good runs in behind that stretched the Guiseley defence and allowed Healey and Radulovic to drop deep from time to time.
Ben Wiles: Whipped in a gorgeous free kick towards the back stick where Helik really should have scored. Wiles took his chance in the box, dropping his shoulder and rifling the ball across the keeper and into the goal. A perfect balance of either coming short to receive the ball or dropping into the pockets in behind the full back that was drawn out by Headley. Had a couple of minutes midway through the half where he lost a bit of focus, but generally good.
Pat Jones: Caused havoc down the right, getting himself an assist after nine seconds after crossing the ball into the corridor of uncertainty. His electrifying pace and low centre of gravity allowed him to twist and turn and create space for himself in behind to great effect. Even got a cheeky no-look assist for Turton’s goal. One word, flair. Another: pace.
Bojan Radulovic: Oh Bojan. Had a great opportunity one-on-one but his effort was saved by an outstretched leg. Should have buried it. No worries though, he got his goal firing home first-time from a low-driven Headley cross.
Rhys Healey: It took nine seconds for him to have the ball in the back of the net, tapping it in from a Pat Jones cross. Took a free kick from around 30 yards that sailed over the bar. Found himself on the wrong side of the offside rule from time to time, including one that looked very marginal.
Unused substitutes: Lee Nicholls
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