Late Abadaki header secures win
Godwin Abadaki’s late header earned Town’s U21s three points at Canalside on Monday afternoon.
The striker scored in the 84th minute to earn the victory against Wigan, after the Premier League outfit had levelled from two goals down.
Steve Eyre’s men had taken a deserved two goal lead in the first half courtesy of goals from Dale Hopson and Theo Robinson. A disappointing second half performance allowed Wigan back into the game and they were level by the 80th minute thanks to strikes from Bradley Ware and Rakish Bingham.
Town showed character, though, and a move created by Academy players Duane Holmes and George Conway gave Abadaki the chance to head home.
Playing with first teamer Theo Robinson upfront, Town were superb in the first half; a stark contrast to the last meeting when Wigan caught the Terriers cold.
The home side deservedly went ahead in the 3rd minute when Hopson was first to react to Robinson’s strike which had crashed into the crossbar.
The striker grabbed a goal of his own with 28 minutes gone when he cut inside from Jordan’s Sinnott pass before finding the far corner.
Wigan offered little as an attacking threat during the first half. The closest they went to even testing Lloyd Allinson in the Town goal was when Ryan Watson shot wildly over.
Coming out for the second half with a two goal lead, Town didn’t know whether to stick or twist. In the end they did neither and Wigan sensed an opportunity.
Wigan’s first was slightly fortunate with Bradley Ware deflecting the ball past Allinson, but Town won’t have been happy with their defending for the second. Lapses in concentration allowed Filip Orsula to get a shot in before Rakish Bingham converted the rebound from close range.
The visitors were well on top and looked likely to go on and grab all three points, but it wasn’t to be. Substitutes Duane Holmes and George Conway combined to present Abadaki a chance from six yards and he made no mistake with his head to put Town back on the winning path.
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Lloyd Allinson; Robbie McIntyre, Tom Smith, Tom Clarke; Israel Johnson (Kedesh Goddard, 66); Dale Hopson, Jordan Sinnott (George Conway, 83), Chris Atkinson, Matt Crooks; Theo Robinson (Duane Holmes, 61), Godwin Abakaki
Unused substitutes:
Ed Wilczynski, Ben Holmes
