Huddersfield Town completed their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United on Friday evening.
Ben Wiles put the Terriers ahead in the fourth minute at the John Smith’s Stadium, but Anel Ahmedhodzic equalized five minutes after the break, securing a draw for the Championship side.
Huddersfield Town concluded their pre-season schedule with five wins, one draw, and one defeat across seven friendlies. The Terriers are now gearing up to start their League One campaign next weekend, with Michael Duff’s team set to face Peterborough United in their opening match away from home.
Town’s head coach made four changes from last Sunday’s 2-1 victory over US Lecce, bringing in Lee Nicholls, Josh Koroma, Herbie Kane, and Brodie Spencer.
The Terriers took the lead with their first shot on target when Ben Wiles expertly controlled a cross from Lasse Sorensen and then fired a shot off the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.
The visitors nearly equalized just two minutes later when Rhian Brewster was played through on goal by a long ball, but Lee Nicholls made a crucial save inside the box.
Callum O’Hare then had a couple of opportunities for the Blades shortly after. Nicholls again came up with a close-range save, though an offside flag was raised on one attempt, and O’Hare also fired a low shot directly at the Terriers’ goalkeeper.
The away side continued to create opportunities, with Rhian Brewster firing wide from Andre Brooks’ cross and Gustavo Hamer forcing another save from Lee Nicholls after being played through on goal around the half-hour mark.
Callum O’Hare and Brewster had additional chances for the Blades in quick succession. O’Hare’s attempt was blocked and fell to Brewster, who shot directly at Nicholls.
With the Championship side putting Town under pressure, the Terriers had a chance to double their lead six minutes before halftime. However, Antony Evans’ shot from inside the box went just wide.
Harrison Burrows had the final chance of the first half for the Blades. He managed to reach the byline, but his cross was cleared by Michal Helik, allowing the Terriers to go into the break with their lead intact.
The Blades equalized with their first attempt after the interval in the 50th minute. Burrows’ free-kick was saved onto the post by Nicholls, but Anel Ahmedhodzic tapped in the rebound into an open net.
Ben Wiles nearly restored Town’s lead soon after, but his volley went wide, and Brewster also sent a long-range shot off target.
Anis Slimane, who came on just after the hour mark, almost made an immediate impact but had his effort blocked.
The Blades ramped up the pressure, with a volley deflected behind for a corner and Hamer forcing another save from Nicholls. Oliver Arblaster then had a great chance as he burst into the box but was thwarted by Nicholls again, while Burrows’ follow-up attempt went wide.
Michael Duff made a triple substitution around 20 minutes from time, bringing on Matty Pearson, Jaheim Headley, and Danny Ward.
Burrows fired another low shot just wide five minutes later as the visitors pressed for a winner.
With ten minutes remaining, Town had to make another change as Wiles was withdrawn after picking up an injury. This disruption, along with earlier substitutions, briefly halted the Blades’ momentum.
However, the Blades continued to push for a late winner and came close in the final minute. Femi Seriki broke through, rounded Nicholls, and delivered a cross to the back post, but Slimane was unable to finish.
Town secured a draw to wrap up their pre-season fixtures against their Championship rivals and will now shift focus to their League One opener next weekend.
**Town:** Nicholls, Sorensen, Helik (C), Wiles (Kasumu 81), Koroma, Healey (Ward 70), Miller (Headley 70), Kane, Spencer, Evans, Lees (Pearson 70). *Unused sub:* Maxwell.
**Sheffield United:** Davies, Arblaster, Brewster, Hamer, O’Hare, Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson (C), Souza, Brooks, Seriki. *Subs:* Faxon, Trusty, Slimane, Blacker, Boyes, Marsh, Sasnauskas, Sachdev, One, Peck, Hampson.
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