Goals:
0-1: Leadbitter (36, powered a unstoppable, curling free-kick with accuracy in to the top left corner of Smithies’ net from 35 yards)
1-1: Stead (86, moved ahead of his marker in the area to direct Ward’s cross beyond Konstantopoulos)
1-2: Leadbitter pen (90, sent Smithies the wrong way with a cool spot-kick after Reach was pulled back by Smith)
Bookings: Butterfield (10, foul); Vaughan (19, foul); Friend (26, foul); Clayton (84, foul)
Referee: Kevin Wright (Peterborough) – there were calls from both sets of fans for a red card for incidents involving Vaughan and Friend, but he correctly decided cautions sufficed. 7
Attendance: 17,993
Entertainment: 3/5
Hudd Boro
Shots on: 4 4
Shots off: 8 13
Corners: 3 11
Offsides: 2 2
Fouls: 10 15
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (4-4-2): Smithies 7; Smith 2, Lynch 6, HUDSON 7, Robinson 4; Butterfield 6, Coady 5, Peltier 6 (Ward 80), Bunn 4 (Lolley 61, 6); Vaughan 4 (Stead 27, 6), Wells 4. Subs (not used): Murphy (gk), Dixon, Scannell, Wallace.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2):
6 Konstantopoulos: Had one shaky moment in the first half but was otherwise sound throughout;
6 Abella: Solid defensively and bright moving forward, even if he was occasionally wayward with his passing
8 Ayala: Grew in stature as the game developed, often reading the balls played in his direction
7 Gibson: Will take some dislodging from the heart of the defence despite the quality of players battling with him for a place
7 Friend: Rightly booked for a clumsy aerial challenge, which could have earned him a red, but otherwise played well;
6 Reach: Performed in flashes and was the man pulled back for the match-winning penalty
5 Clayton: Has certainly had games were he has been more involved even if he almost scored first half
8 LEADBITTER: Has been Boro’s star performer so far this season and his free-kick was outstanding
6 Adomah: Never hit top gear but was still a threat when he got on the ball down the flanks;
6 Tomlin: Played a few nice passes but will need to do a little more if he is to play further forward more often
5 Kike: Had a couple of decent chances and looked frustrated not to have scored when he left the pitch
Subs:
Vossen (for Tomlin 59): Went close to scoring with one effort. 5
Bamford (for Kike 76)
Nsue (for Adomah 90)
(not used): Blackman (gk), Woodgate, Whitehead, Wildschut.
MAN OF THE MATCH: GRANT Leadbitter – led by example and was the coolest man on the pitch to hit the winner.
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