PREVIEW: READING (H)

26 August 2021

All you need to know ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship game

- Huddersfield Town vs Reading preview
- Tickets still available
- Listen on iFollow HTAFC

Huddersfield Town are back in Sky Bet Championship action on Saturday 28 August 2021 when they welcome Reading to the John Smith’s Stadium; 3pm kick-off.

Town go into Saturday’s game looking to continue their unbeaten run. The Terriers walked away from Bramall Lane 2-1 winners against Sheffield United on Saturday 21 August 2021, seeing them secure back-to-back wins.

Reading come into the game off the back of a 2-1 loss to Coventry City on Saturday 21 August 2021.

THE OPPOSITION

Reading finished last season just outside the Play-Off places, sitting seventh in the Sky Bet Championship with 70 points.

Managed by Veljko Paunović, the Royals have won of their opening four games, a 2-1 home win over Preston North End.

Reading will be looking to change their away luck when they come to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

ONES TO WATCH

Rafael Cabral

The Brazil international signed for Reading on a three-year contract from Sampdoria in August 2019. Cabral made his debut against Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup and saved two penalties in the penalty shootout win, before going on to keep a clean sheet in his Sky Bet Championship debut. At the end of his first season with the Club, the goalkeeper was named the Royals’ Player of the Season.

John Swift

Swift joined Reading from Chelsea ahead of the 2016/17 season. He scored on his debut, a 1-0 win over Preston North End in August 2016, before going on to be nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Year award at the end of his first season. The midfielder spent the majority of last season on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. However, this season has seen him back with a bang, bagging three goals and two assists so far.

Liam Moore

The 28-year-old put pen-to-paper on a four-year contract with Reading from Leicester City in the 2016 summer transfer window. Moore quicky established himself in the starting XI, playing centre back alongside Paul McShane. Ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, he was named as the Royals’ Captain. The Jamaica international made 32 appearances for Reading last season, whilst the current campaign has seen him net two goals in his four appearances so far.

TEAM NEWS

Town Head Coach Carlos Corberán will provide an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday’s game during his virtual press conference on Friday 27 August 2021.

KIT

Town will be in their famous blue and white stripes on Saturday, CLICK HERE to buy yours.

HOW TO WATCH

Tickets are on sale online - CLICK HERE - and are available to purchase from the Ticket Office.

Adults - £25
65s and over - £20
18s and under - £15
Under-11s - £10

Disabled supporters should pay their relevant price class, with a companion ticket free of charge.

Tickets for wheelchair users are priced at £20, with a companion ticket free of charge.

CAR PARKING

Similarly, you can book parking in Town’s Gasworks Street car park for home match days, priced at £5!

CLICK HERE to get your parking pass for the Reading game.

Please note that you cannot pay at the entrance on match day - you must buy your pass in advance.

HOW TO LISTEN

If you’re unable to attend the game, you’ll be able to listen along via iFollow HTAFC!

Town fans will be able to listen to Saturday’s game through our live audio commentary by purchasing either a Monthly or Audio Match Pass to tune in live. You can purchase a UK Season Pass for £45, Monthly Pass for £4.49 and an Audio Match Pass for £2.50.

CLICK HERE to sign up to iFollow HTAFC!

Match Reports

REPORT: TOWN 4-0 READING

28 August 2021

Town extend unbeaten run to three

- Huddersfield Town beat Reading 4-0
- Another back-to-back win for the Terriers
- Goals from Lewis O’Brien, Matty Pearson, Sorba Thomas and Danny Ward

Huddersfield Town made it three successive wins in the Sky Bet Championship by putting four past Reading at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday 28 August 2021.

Town were the brighter of the two sides in the first half, with Josh Koroma forcing Rafael into the game’s first save in the fourth minute.

Koroma almost turned provider just seconds later, but Danny Ward’s low left footed cross was well collected by the Reading ‘keeper.

Junior Hoilett had a glimpse at a chance for the visitors in the 15th minute, but saw his effort go 25-yards wide.

The 24th minute saw a huge chance fall to Town, will Danel Sinani fooling everyone and being incredibly unlucky to see the ball cannon off the far post with the goalkeeper beaten!

George Puscas provided a nervous moment for the home fans as he challenged Lee Nicholls for a 50-50, but thankfully Matty Pearson was there to clear the ball.

Sorba Thomas collected the first Town yellow card in the 31st minute for preventing the visitors from taking a quick throw-in.

Ward almost gave Town the lead just moments later, getting across Liam Moore to meet Thomas’ cross, but he got too much on the connection and arrowed the ball away into the away fans.

The Terriers’ pressure finally paid off in the 39th minute, with Lewis O’Brien breaking the deadlock! Town’s no.8 latched onto a ball from Thomas and fired it home!

The home side came out in the second half looking to build on their lead.

They almost did in the 49th minute, with a super cross from Levi Colwill finding the forward run of Sinani, but Rafael did just enough to block his shot as it entered the area.

Again, Town’s pressure paid off, with another assist for Thomas! He provided another outstanding set piece, with Pearson ready to attack and prod past the ‘keeper at close range!

Reading’s best chance of the game game in the 55th minute, with Tom Holmes’ low cross being met by Tom Dele-Bashiru, who steered the ball just wide.

Pearson picked up the next yellow card for bringing down Hoilett on the dead ball line.

Thomas turned goalscorer in the 66th minute, bagging his first Huddersfield Town goal! Having set up the first two, he collected O’Brien’s pass to get past Andy Yiadom and drive a great, low shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner!

The Town loyal were out of their seats again just two minutes later! Koroma crosses the ball to Ward, who steps past the goal and taps home to bag his first goal of the season!

The final chance of the game came Town’s way. A set piece fell to O’Brien, but unfortunately, his 25-yard drive was deflected wide.

The final whistle blew, and the Terriers’ now go into the international break with a three-game unbeaten run!

Town’s line up (3-4-3)

Lee Nicholls; Levi Colwill, Tom Lees, Matty Pearson; Harry Toffolo, Lewis O’Brien, Jonathan Hogg, Sorba Thomas; Josh Koroma (Duane Holmes, 78’), Danny Ward (Fraizer Campbell, 69’), Danel Sinani (Ollie Turton, 62’)

Unused Substitutes

Ryan Schofield; Alex Vallejo, Scott High, Naby Sarr

Scorers

Lewis O’Brien (39’), Matty Pearson (51’), Sorba Thomas (66’), Danny Ward (68’)

Town Bookings

Sorba Thomas (31’), Matty Pearson (59’), Tom Lees (81’)