Doncaster Rovers 1 Huddersfield Town 3: Milestone strike on historic night for Terriers
DONCASTER Rovers’ home had been a house of pain over the years for Huddersfield Town.
They provided the opposition when it first opened on New Year’s Day 2007 and lost - as they had also done on their four other visits ahead of this latest meeting.
Given their own start to the campaign, Rovers were hankering for a continuation of the historical trend. They needed to cling onto something as they sought their maiden home victory of 2026-27 and first in seven matches at the newly named Club Doncaster Sports Village since April 11.
In their two earlier meetings against Town in 2026 - one in South Yorkshire and the other across the border in this same EFL Trophy competition - Grant McCann’s side had reasons to smile.
Town’s loss in ‘Donny’ back in February was particularly galling for those with blue and white affiliations.
They failed to muster a single effort on target in a miserable league showing en route to a poor 1-0 loss and there were jeers from the big away contingent.
Here, in somewhat remarkable fashion, there was a touch of karma on a night when they scored with their first three efforts on target - in a three-goal burst inside 10 minutes in the final quarter.
Trailing to Leon Ayinde’s maiden Rovers goal on 40 minutes, Town were fortunate to still be in the game by the midway point of the second half.
A combination of poor home finishing and their bench redeemed matters.
A dream introduction for Altrincham teenager James Spencer, 17, saw him score with his first touch, an effort which went in off the post.
Captain for the night Low then headed Town in front before Lasse Sorensen sealed it after good work from replacement Ashley Fletcher, with Rovers’ rearguard going to pieces somewhat as the visitors triumphed at this venue for the first time.
What looked like being an encouraging night for the hosts ended in worrying fashion.
Both sides went heavy with the changes, but still fielded pretty competitive line-ups all the same - even if a number of first-teamers were given the night off.
For Rovers, Matty Pearson made his first appearance of the campaign after recovering from injury - against his old side, no less - while James Husband not only made his second full debut for the club, but also wore the captain’s armband.
Welsh youth international Marlie Neil, 18, made his senior bow for Town in defence with summer signing Ethan Brierley was handed a debut.
Town enjoyed greater control in the first period while struggling to test Josh Clarke in the Rovers’ goal. Jay Sway, in an advanced role, was particularly lively down the left.
That said, the Terriers’ final decision-making in the last third was not the best at times.
Rovers had a few semi-threatening counter-attacks, but they were also sloppy in possession, certainly in terms of playing out from the back and between the lines.
But the one time they did get it right, it was to pretty impressive effect. It yielded a breakthrough in the run-up to the interval.
The ball found Jordan Thomas and he combined nicely with ‘number 10’ Harry Clifton.
With Town on the back foot, he had the presence of mind to spot Ayinde in acres of space down the left and he coolly finished low past Jak Alnwick. It was a slick, quality goal in fairness.
Earlier, Brandon Hanlan almost got in on the end of a punt forward after getting in between Low and Neil.
At the other end, two alert pieces of defending from Pearson were timely, while Sway spoiled things after cutting inside and blasting over after seemingly doing the hard work.
Emboldened by a smartly-taken opener, Rovers went close to a second soon after the restart when a rasping low drive from Thomas yielded a strong parry, low down, from Jak Alnwick.
Thomas then fired at Alnwick from a tight angle after profiting from a loose pass by Low before seeing a deflected shot held by the Town keeper, as Rovers got bolder and upped the tempo.
That man Thomas then went close again, with his low curler flashing inches wide before Hanlan’s effort deflected just off target before Thomas spurned another opportunity.
Town were looking increasingly poor and needed something and for once, it arrived in Doncaster, courtesy of young Spencer.
Another substitute in Fletcher then headed straight at Clarke and the visitors sensed a change of narrative, confirmed when Low headed home following Cam Humphreys’ corner, although the defending left a fair bit to be desired.
Rovers defending was also meek for the killer third.
Fletcher did well down the right and capitalised on power-puff defence to set up the onrushing Sorensen, who lofted his shot over the exposed Clarke.
Doncaster Rovers: Clarke; Grehan (Pawlak 78), Pearson, Husband; McCann (Hutchinson 78), Robinson (Tomlinson 84), Broadbent, Akinde (Pavan 78); Clifton, Thomas; Hanlan (Adelakun 71). Substitutes unused: Bryant, Swales.
Huddersfield Town: Alnwick; Sorensen, Low, Neil (Murray 77), Mumba: Collins, Brierley; Gooch (Bowat 66), Harness (Humphreys HT), Sway (Spencer 66); Radulovic (Fletcher 63). Substitutes unused: Young, Murray, Togo.
Referee: R Eley
Attendance: 1,584 (357 Huddersfield Town supporters)