Substitute Rhys Healey stepped up off the bench to grab a late goal against Millwall and lift Huddersfield Town out of the Championship relegation zone
At the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday, Huddersfield Town defeated Millwall, another team fighting for relegation, 1-0 thanks to a goal from Rhys Healey deep into injury time.
The Terriers’ striker scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to significantly increase his team’s chances of surviving the Championship, while the Lions’ loss brought them closer to the relegation trapdoor.
With five games left in the season, Birmingham City drops into the relegation zone, whilst Town advances from the relegation zone to fourth place in the table with 43 points from 41 games played. Millwall is still one point above the Terriers and two ahead of the Blues, sitting in sixth place from the bottom.
The outcome also put an end to the Terriers’ six-game losing record; Town won just twice since Andre Breitenreiter took over.
The Town manager decided to make three changes to the team that played on Easter Monday at Stoke City and drew 1-1. Jaheim Headley, Pat Jones, and Jack Rudoni were replaced by Ben Jackson, Josh Koroma, and Delano Burgzorg; the latter was sidelined due to injury. Ollie Turton, who has had a chronic knee ailment, was also placed on the bench.
In addition, Millwall manager Neil Harris made changes to his team following their 2-1 loss to Rotherham United, starting Danny McNamara, Ryan Longman, and Billy Mitchell in place of Murray Wallace, Duncan Watmore, and Casper De Norre.
In the first few minutes, each team had an opportunity. Billy Mitchell’s low effort at the other end was stopped by Lee Nicholls, while Burgzorg forced Matija Sarkic into a low save.
Thirteen minutes in, the Lions were the next to get close. George Honeyman arrived after Longman threw in a risky cross from the right, but the midfielder could only deflect the ball over the bar from close range.
The next thirty minutes saw the two sides battle, with the windy circumstances making it hard for either team to hold onto the ball. However, at that point, opportunities started to come in.
Josh Koroma had a header from Sorba Thomas’ corner deflected beyond, and then Radulovic saw his header from the left side of the box blocked.
Town continued to have numerous corners in short succession, but they were unable to convert any of them. Radulovic missed a clear opportunity to score from one, and Sarkic turned away another Thomas attempt.
The Lions proceeded to generate two fantastic opportunities from consecutive corners of their own. After the first was recycled, it found its way to Michael Obafemi, whose volley was denied by Alex Matos from close range. A few yards from the ensuing set-piece, Jake Cooper somehow managed to head over at the back post.
The Terriers had the better of the first half, as Koroma’s attempt from the left side of the box went just over the bar and Thomas forced Sarkic into a stop with a shot from outside the box.
Just before the half, Burgzorg’s low strike was spilled by Sarkic into Koroma’s path, depriving Town of the lead with a brilliant defensive move. However, Leonard returned to make a goal-saving stop and keep his team tied at halftime.
Near the hour mark, the Terriers created a couple of enticing openings. At the back post, Koroma received a cross from Radulovic, but the winger was unable to turn it in with a backheel from close range. Shortly after, David Kasumu missed from the edge of the box.
As the game came to an end, neither team was able to create another significant opportunity. Michal Helik missed a chance to capitalise on a loose ball in the box, while Casper De Norre shot high and wide for the Lions.
Late in the game, Town tried for a victory, with Burgzorg forcing Sarkic into a low save among a mass of persons, and substitute Healey hitting wide from a strong position, but it appeared as though the home team would have to settle for a disappointing draw.
