Five different scorers in convincing win
Huddersfield Town’s Under-18s continued their impressive start to pre-season with another convincing win, this time against Wigan 5-0.
Jacob Hanson, new signing Ronan Coughlan, Regan Booty, Danny Kane and Adam Porritt all netted as the 18s made it three successive victories ahead of the 2014/15 season.
Following Frankie Bunn’s move into the Development Squad, Tony Carss is currently in sole charge of the team and he told htafc.com that he is delighted with the start to pre-season.
“We have made a really good start and things are progressing well. Our performances have been improving with Wigan offering us a different test. We moved the ball well in conditions that were brilliant for playing football. The surface was wet and slick, which suits our style of play. We want to move the ball quickly and play through the midfield if we can and we did exactly that against Wigan.
“We began the game in a 4-4-1-1 formation against their three in midfield which gave us a few things to think about, but the lads worked well. However, after about half an hour we changed our shape and went to a three in midfield and from that point we dominated the game.”
Like Town’s First Team, goals have been easy to come by for the Under-18s with 16 being scored in their first three games.
“We have created a lot of chances and our finishing has been really good,” said Tony. “It is pleasing because it has been something that we have worked on a lot. We have worked on it from day one and our quality in the final third has been excellent. The opposition will continue to get tougher though, and we will need to rise to that challenge. We have had a good mixture of scorers, which is good for everyone’s confidence.”
Seven players began their scholarships with Town at the start of 2014/15 and Carss has been pleased with their incorporation into the squad.
“Frankie (Bunn) and I did a lot of coaching with the Under-15s and 16s on Monday nights last season, which has helped with their integration into the Under-18s. We took the sessions and it gave them a chance to get to know us and understand how we work. There were some excellent players in that squad, the likes of Regan Booty, Jack Boyle and Rekeil Pyke were all involved with the Under-18s last season and know the group very well.
“Everyone has adjusted to the training well and are playing their part, which is good.”
Town’s current crop of Under-18s have big shoes to fill following last season’s accomplishments, however Carss’ main focus is on producing individuals that will play a part in the Club’s future moving forward.
“It is a challenge, but we have a winning mentality and we want to improve and learn,” he said. “For me personally it is about producing players that will play in our First Team. Yes, we want to do well in the league, but the real test is to see how many of these young lads we can get playing in the Club’s First Team.”
