Huddersfield Town 2 Lincoln City 2: A second draw in a row - but much more to be enthused about despite late blow
THE words of Ange Postecoglou on his time at Tottenham Hotspur might just chime with Huddersfield Town head coach Liam Manning in terms of his early experiences at the club.
Speaking about his Spurs stint, the Aussie remarked: "Every time I see light at the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be an oncoming train."
Manning will understand the sentiment already.
His early weeks provided illumination by virtue of a win triple against Bradford City, Luton Town and Peterborough United.
It was achieved amid a background of latent discontent among Terriers followers - which stalked his predecessor. It had resurfaced ahead of Tuesday's meeting with League One leaders Lincoln City, which did not look well-timed on paper.
As for other shafts of light? Well, Town were 11 games unbeaten at home heading into this one and Manning's side had been relatively hard to beat of late - with Town's recent goals against column reflecting that.
But unfortunately, they'd forgotten how to score in the other goal, even with the ‘light’ of Ryan Hardie and Alfie May being around.
Refreshingly, the first half changed all that as Town scored their first goals in the opening period since January 31.
The hosts’ were progressive in thought and deed and got the ball forward and did not play safe.
It was reinvigorating and uplifting to see and produced quality goals inside the first 20 minutes from birthday boy Ryan Hardie - who benefitted from the presence of Antony Evans close to him in a smart tactical tweak by Manning - and recalled captain Ryan Ledson.
That it arrived against a side boasting a club record 20-match unbeaten league run added to the good feeling.
A wretched own goal from Josh Feeney soon reduced the deficit. Lincoln threw plenty at Town on the resumption and Feeney was very fortunate not to concede a penalty for a clear handball.
The Imps laid siege but it looked like Town would hold out for a famous win until substitute Ryley Towler’s leveller in stoppage-time. On the balance of play, you probably couldn’t argue.
Lincoln were on the cusp of a first league defeat since November 25, but good sides find a way. Light for Town and then a bit of darkness, but also much to admire.
While Saturday’s draw at bottom club Port Vale was treated disdainfully by supporters present, this was different against a side destined for the Championship.
Ledson, Lynden Gooch and Evans returned to Town’s starting line-up after the stodgy draw at Vale, with Alfie May and Marcus McGuane on the bench.
Having been cajoled by Liam Manning to be more front-foot, those in blue and white followed that directive to the letter and it was refreshing to witness in the first period.
It yielded two quality goals and while Feeney’s blooper was the precursor to Lincoln showing their title-chasing credentials in the final 15 minutes of an intriguing half, there was still much to be enthused about from a Town perspective.
Town’s opener was a cracker and as team goals go, it’s hard to think of many better ones on home soil so far this term.
It was started off by the impressive Ledson. Picking up the ball in centre field, his pass to Kasumu was crisp and incisive.
Kasumu nipped in front of Conor McGrandles before intelligently spotting Evans. He showed deft touch and vision to slot in Hardie, who superbly kept his composure despite the presence of a couple of defenders to roll the ball effortlessly past George Wickens.
It was the sort of goal many envisaged when the Scot signed in January.
The presence of Evans in an advanced role freed up Hardie and Town’s go-forward was good to see.
As was their second goal five minutes later when Sonny Bradley and Tom Hamer got in each other’s way and made a hash of clearing a long through from ex-Imp Sean Roughan. Ledson seized on the loose ball in an instant and fired home a downward shot on the turn in clinical fashion.
Unfortunately, another booming long throw proved fateful at the other end with Feeney getting it all wrong to head Hamer’s delivery past Nicholls at his near post.
It revived Lincoln with Adam Reach and Jack Moylan firing off target before the half ended with Murray Wallace clearing from close to his own goalline after Moylan fired across goal.
In contrast to boos at the interval of Town’s previous home game, warm applause made for sweeter music.
That Lincoln brought on an extra centre midfielder at the break pointed to a bit of a tactical success for Manning. But games last two halves.
May arrived early in the second period after Hardie was in the wars.
Attacking their noisy contingent of supporters packed into the away end, Lincoln put Town on the back foot on the resumption. The hosts were always going to have to dig in for a spell and their fans were behind them, in fairness.
Nicholls did well at the far post to grasp Bradley’s header following Reach’s deep corner as the Imps, whose head coach Michael Skubala was not slow in changing it from the bench, knocked on the door and didn’t go away.
Town then survived a huge moment when Rob Street’s shot hit the hand of Feeney as the Imps followers and players screamed for a penalty.
The hosts then had another lift, when Reach, whose set-pieces were causing a fair few problems, left the fray with an injury issue.
It did not deter Lincoln who threw a fair bit at the hosts at the death. Hamer headed wide late on before the pressure told when Towler rammed home after Town failed to clear Hamer’s exorcet.
Huddersfield Town: Nicholls; Feeney, Wallace, Roughan; Gooch (Sorensen 53), Kasumu (McGuane 79), Ledson, Mumba; Humphreys; Evans (Harness 61), Hardie (May 53). Substitutes unused: Alnwick, Whatmough, Ashia.
Lincoln City: Wickens; Darikwa (Elerewe 86), Hamer, Bradley, Reach (Towler 73); McGrandles; House (One 62), Moylan, Jefferies (Hackett 62); Street, Lloyd (Bayliss HT). Substitutes unused: Jeacock, Varfolomeev.
Referee: B Speedie (Merseyside).