Toffo’s sweet strike has Terriers roaring
THEY might have been bubble wrapped but Carlos Corberan’s Huddersfield side burst free to sound a Championship play-off warning.
There’s definitely no stopping left wing-back Harry Toffolo who is in the goalscoring form of his life, a brilliant 33rd-minute strike his fifth in seven games.
And Danny Ward’s first goal since March 11 – not that he knew too much about it – had the Terriers on easy street against a Bristol City side who had arrived here on the back of an unbeaten five-game run.
For Huddersfield, who had already bagged a play-off slot and claimed third place, it’s all about Friday’s semi-final first leg away to Luton.
Corberan said: “I didn’t mind who were going to be the opponents because we know the games will be very tough. Luton are very competitive.”
With the play-offs in mind he had either left out some of his big guns or had them on the bench.
Cult hero Toffolo,
HUDD’FIELD BRISTOL C whose contract is up this summer, left to a standing ovation in the 53rd minute with Corberan again thinking of the play-offs.
Memories of his goal, though, will live on, accepting a pass from Ward and weaving his way past a couple of challenges before firing beyond Daniel Bentley.
Ward’s effort just before the break was less spectacular, a low cross from Pipa cannoning off Robbie Cundy on to the striker and over the line.
For Huddersfield under Marcelo Bielsa’s former Leeds United assistant it’s been an incredible journey after finishing 20th last season and just escaping relegation.
HUDDERSFIELD: Blackman 7; Turton 7, Hogg 6 (Lees (46th) 6), Sarr 7; Russell 8; Pipa 7, Eiting 6, Holmes 7, Toffolo 7 (Colwill (53rd) 6); Sinani 7 (Anjorin (58th) 7), Ward 7
BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 7; Cundy 6 (Idehen (74th) 6), Klose 6 (King 77th), Atkinson 6; Scott 6, James 7, Massengo 6 (Tanner (53rd) 6), DaSilva 6; Weimann 6; Martin 6, Semenyo 7
STAR MAN: Jon Russell
REF: D Webb