Terriers on War footing to climb out of basement
NEIL WARNOCK was all smiles after Huddersfield hauled themselves off the foot of the table to kickstart their season in style.
The legendary former Terriers boss, 73, was a special guest at a club who he led to promotion from the third tier in 1994-95.
Warnock’s presence certainly had the desired effect as Danny Schofield’s side put their horror start to the campaign firmly behind them.
Town began the day rock-bottom but climbed to 14th after late goals from Danny Ward and substitute Jordan Rhodes clinched the points.
Schofield, promoted from assistant coach to the top job after Carlos Corberan jumped ship, beamed: “It’s a massive win and we deserved it.
“I said to the lads in the changing room that I’ve got two kids and I nearly said the feeling now is better now than when they were born.
“But I actually held myself back and said it was equal because I didn’t want to upset the missus!
“The reason I’m in this game is because it’s very emotional and I’m passionate about it.
“Today is a good day for all of us and I might have a bottle of beer tonight.”
Nobody showed more passion than Warnock during a managerial career which saw him win a record eight promotions.
Schofield added: “It was brilliant to see Neil here.
“I’ve not spoken to him, although I’d love to just to pick his brains.
“He’s a big part of the club’s history.”
Stoke popped the ball around with a swagger during the opening quarter and had the chance to lead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute. Josh Ruffels caught Josh Laurent with a high boot but Stoke skipper Lewis Baker was denied by a fantastic save from Town goalkeeper Lee Nicholls, who dived low to his left to keep the ball out.
Huddersfield led in the 40th minute when Japanese defender Yuta Nakayama connected with Sorba Thomas’ right-wing corner to head home his first goal on his full league debut.
Baker then atoned for his spot-kick blunder by firing home a low right-foot shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards to equalise in the 56th minute.
The game-changing moment came in the final quarter when Dwight Gayle headed home from close range – only for an offside flag to deny him.
From there, Town advanced upfield and substitute Duane Holmes crossed low from the left flank and Ward fired home left-footed.
Rhodes sealed it late on when he tapped home from Holmes’ unselfish pass but Potters boss Michael O’Neill said: “The scoreline was extremely harsh on us and the goal from Dwight is onside.
“We’ve seen it back and he was level when the ball is crossed.”
HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 7; Turton 6, Nakayama 7, Lees 6, Ruffels 6; Hogg 7; Anjorin 6 (Holmes (64) 7), Thomas 7 (Camara (83) 6), Rudoni 6, Kesler-Hayden 6 (Boyle (90) 6); Ward 7 (Rhodes (83) 6)
STOKE: Bursik 6; Taylor 6, Flint 6, Wilmot 6; Sparrow 6 (Campbell (79) 6), Baker 7, Laurent 6 (Clucas (80) 6), Smallbone 6, Tymon 6; Gayle 6, Brown 6
STAR MAN: Jonathan Hogg. The Terriers skipper led by example with a tireless display.
REF: Matthew Donohue 6