The Imps grabbed a valuable point against one of the division’s big hitters this afternoon, coming back from a goal down to draw with Huddersfield Town.
City made three changes to the side that beat Barnsley on Monday night, with Ryley Towler, Freddie Draper and Reeco Hackett coming into the side. The changes meant the Imps went three at the back, matching the Terriers, who boasted Lasse Sørensen and Sean Roughan. In an unexpected twist, Lasse played left wing back, and Roughasn left centre back.
Joe Taylor did not make the Huddersfield squad.
Before the game, the club paid tribute to the Imps lost during 2025. Dad’s name sat just in front of his season ticket seat, and despite being in professional mode, it was hard not to shed a tear. He would certainly have been proud of the first-half performance, as City utterly dominated.
Reeco opened the chances after just three minutes, firing wide from distance, and the returning winger was involved again moments later, as he and Street combined to create a chance for Draper, who fired across goal from a tight angle.
Harking back to matches such as Exeter and Stevenage, our fast start continued. Lining up in a 3-4-3 formation of sorts, our strike duo were asking plenty of questions. However, after just six minutes, it was our Ukrainian warrior pulling the strings, with Reach released and Reeco, once again, on hand to shoot, this time firing over.
It seemed like the eighth minute brought their first real touches, with Sean and Lasse both booed. It seems crazy to me to boo two players who served us well and brought in over £1m, but I guess for some people the pantomime season extends beyond Christmas.
It was 20 minutes before the visitors got near our goal, and when they did, Castledine and May created a bit of space, but Bradley was there to stick a great challenge in. After that, it was business as usual, Varfolomeev striking the sweetest of efforts from a good 25 yards out, which Lee Nicholls could only parry away.
Reeco had another good chance, then Draper drew the game’s best save up to that point. He turned and struck a sweet shot from eight yards out, with Nicholls diving to his left to push the ball away.
That did see the pendulum swing towards the Terriers, but without any real threat. When they did get near our goal, balls in were dealt with. Varfolomeev, utterly outstanding, put a great tackle in on Castledine, by far the visitors’ best player. Bradley cleared a deep Ledson header, but they were just fleeting moments rather than gilt-edged chances.
The half petered out with another Reeco effort which went high into the cold night sky. Referee Jamie O’Connor was called into action as well, chatting to Draper after he left it in on Nicholls. Eager to get into the warm, O’Connor gave just one minute of injury time before they went off into the warm, and I typed this out in the freezing cold.
Huddersfield started much brighter in the second period, and an early free kick almost caught City out. The second period did not open with the same intensity, and a Bradley header from a set piece was the best City had to show for the opening exchanges.
The crowd certainly played into the New Year’s Day atmosphere, and the game threatened to spill over. The referee took Darikwa and Sørensen to one side, and that seemed to calm things on the pitch.
On the hour, the game exploded into life, as Leo Castledine gave the visitors the lead. After an improved second half, it did feel like it had been coming. May’s shot was saved by Wickens, but the forward lifted the ball across goal, where the Chelsea loanee was on hand to nod home.
City looked jittery, and May could have made it two three minutes later, going one on one with Wickens. Our stopper stayed big and the effort hit the side netting, with a handful of visiting supporters thinking it had gone in.
City have only trailed for a handful of minutes at home all season, and that record was kept going with a quick response. Varfolomeev was involved heavily, he had a shot blocked after a free kick, leading to a corner. Huddersfield failed to deal with that, and Reach capitalised, stabbing home from close range.
It appeared the visitors would be happy with a point, and in truth, it suited both sides. There were late chances, Draper turning smartly in the area but dragging his effort wide from eight yards. It was harsh on Draper, who put himself about well, but just could not quite get the break.
Late on, I did have a chuckle. Alfie May was taken off, and as he made his way off the field, he got booked. The assistant referee pointed it out, and May shrugged and chuckled. Signs that for him and Huddersfield, a point here is a good result. For us? Absolutely the same.
Full analysis tomorrow!
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