Sinnott scores in narrow defeat
Leicester under-21s recorded a narrow 2-1 victory over Town’s under-21s on Monday evening courtesy of goals from Martyn Waghorn and Jeff Schlupp.
Town drew themselves level thanks to Jordan Sinnott’s volley midway through the second half, but found the going tough against a strong Foxes outfit.
Steve Eyre named a strong side for his team’s top of the table clash against Leicester in the U21 Professional Development League 2 on Monday evening.
Leicester, who arrived in Huddersfield second in the table, also named a very strong side with the likes of Martyn Waghorn and Paul Gallagher gracing its line-up.
It was one of Leicester’s first team players Neil Danns who had the first shy on goal before Jordan Sinnott tried from the angle for Town.
The watching Simon Grayson will have been concerned to see Paul Dixon hobble off in the 14th minute with an ankle injury; Robbie McIntyre entered the fray as his replacement.
Matt Crooks, who had shone in the game previous at Barnsley, saw his deflected shot land safely in the arms of Conrad Logan as Town got up and running before Jeff Schlupp replied instantly; testing Ian Bennett from a narrow angle after skipping past Murray Wallace.
Jordan Sinnott almost cost his side a goal in the 20th minute when he was caught in possession by Martyn Waghorn; the powerful forward drove at the heart of the Town defence before slipping Schlupp clear, who forced Bennett into a fine save from the edge of the area.
Scottish defender Murray Wallace then came to Town’s rescue on 24 minutes when more good play from Waghorn saw the ball delivered into the box for the onrushing Danns, but he was prevented from opening the scoring by a brilliant interception from the Scottish under-21 international.
Despite the Foxes’ territorial pressure the Terriers were countering well and missed a glorious chance to take the lead when Tom Clarke got a clear run at Sinnott’s corner and planted a header against the upright.
Hopson missed another good chance from ten yards shortly afterwards before Max Leonard saw his deflected shot rebound off the post and into the grateful arms of Logan.
Leicester ended the half strongly with Waghorn and Gallagher linking up well, allowing the latter to curl an effort into the arms of Bennett.
Cypriot Harry Panayiotou had the first effort of the second 45, forcing Bennett into a low save. His opposite number, Logan, was called into a similar save six minutes later when Sinnott drove hard from a free-kick.
Sean Scannell was, at times, making the Leicester defence look silly and after a brilliant piece of skill on the hour mark saw him leave James Pearson for dead, Godwin Abadaki almost converted at the back post after Scannell had released Max Leonard down the left.
Leicester made the break through shortly after Abadaki’s chance when Waghorn was slipped into space before calmly rounding Bennett and tapping into an empty net.
The visitors weren’t ahead for long though with Town drawing themselves level on 68 minutes when skipper Sinnott casually converted after both Scannell and Crooks had seen efforts blocked.
The Foxes continued to dominate proceedings and after Gallagher, Danns and Jacob Blyth had all seen their efforts denied, Schlupp provided the finish with ten minutes remaining. The German finished superbly with his left after being slid through by Scottish international Paul Gallagher.
Eyre’s men went in search of an equaliser, but failed to trouble Leicester ‘keeper Conrad Logan.
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Ian Bennett; Paul Dixon (Robbie McIntrye 14), Murray Wallace, James Burke, Tom Clarke; Sean Scannell, Jordan Sinnott (c), Matt Crooks, Dale Hopson; Godwin Abadaki, Max Leonard (Duane Holmes 81)
Unused substitues:
Ed Wilczynski, Thomas Briggs
Booking Town:
Sean Scannell 44
