Steve Eyre’s men make it two wins from two
Second half goals from substitutes Duane Holmes and Connor Loftus helped Town to a 2-1 victory at Coventry this afternoon.
Town were more than worth the three points despite going behind early on when Coventry scored from the penalty spot.
Steve Eyre’s young guns played excellent football and reaped the rewards when Holmes converted from close range and then Loftus scored a goal worthy of winning any game with a 30 yard volley.
Town, who were without any first team players, struggled to cope with Coventry’s power in attack during the opening stages of the game and had Academy defender William Boyle to thank on a number of occasions to prevent them from going behind.
The home team did eventually make the break through 12 minutes in when they converted from the spot following Sinnott’s foul in the box.
Eyre’s men contained the Coventry attack well from there on in and looked dangerous on the attack through Godwin Abadaki and Sinnott, who was breaking well from midfield. It was that partnership in the 35th minute which created Town’s best chance of the half when Sinnott swung in for the on loan Rochdale man, but he failed to hit the target with his header.
Town went close again before the break with Scott Kay testing the Coventry ‘keeper before they almost gifted the Terriers an equaliser when a loose defensive header went just wide.
Coventry came out of the blocks well in the second 45 and Town right-back Tom Smith had to make two vital clearances to keep the away side in the game. Firstly he used his head to block away a shot at the back post before clearing on the line under heavy pressure.
Substitute Duane Holmes – who has scored six in six for the under-18s- was making a nuisance of himself after replacing Max Leonard in the 59th minute. The diminutive attacking midfielder flicked a header wide from a Sinnott free-kick before almost pouncing on a rebound to level matters.
Holmes got the reward his early endeavour deserved 19 minutes from time when he slid the ball home coolly from close range after some poor Coventry defending.
The comeback was complete in the 77th minute when Connor Loftus scored a superb effort. The Coventry ‘keeper had got himself in all kinds of bother after chasing a ball out of his box and after Loftus had received the ball from a throw-in, the striker volleyed in superbly off the post from 30 yards out.
FULL-TIME – COVENTRY UNDER-18s 1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN UNDER-18s 2
Town’s team:
Lloyd Allinson; Robbie McIntrye, William Boyle, James Burke, Tom Smith; Matt Crooks, Jordan Sinnott (c), Scott Kay; Max Leonard (Duane Holmes 59), Dale Hopson (Connor Loftus 67), Godwin Abadaki (George Conway 90)
Unused substitutes:
Ed Wilczynski
