Young Terriers out of the FA Youth Cup
Town’s FA Youth Cup run ended at the hands of holders Chelsea at Aldershot FC’s ES Stadium on Tuesday evening, with the young Blues proving too big a hurdle for Tony Carss’ side.
The level of competition was a noticeable step above what the young Terriers face week in, week out in the Professional Development League 2 and the hosts looked in control of the tie as soon as they scored a very early opener.
Carss’ men battled hard on the evening and grabbed a consolation through midfielder Jamie Spencer’s first of the season, but now have to refocus on retaining their league title.
Chelsea opened the scoring inside five minutes when right winger Tammy Abraham got above left back Jack Senior to send a looping header over Town ‘keeper Tadhg Ryan and into the net from Dasilva’s cross.
That goal seemingly rattled the young Terriers, who couldn’t keep hold of possession under pressure from the high-tempo hosts. Irish custodian Ryan made several impressive stops to keep his side in the game in the ensuing quarter hour, with several defenders executing last-ditch blocks in the area too.
Chelsea – and Abraham – did double the advantage just before the half hour, with the winger shifting the ball onto his left foot inside the area with some neat chest control before firing low past the helpless Ryan.
It was three a few minutes later, with Abraham turning provider; he beat Senior down the Town left and knocked a low ball across the face of the six yard box for striker Dominic Solanke to turn home from close range.
The young Terriers gave themselves a lifeline in the 35th minute with a goal of their own. Urged to close down higher up the pitch by Carss, midfielder Jamie Spencer responded by charging down goalkeeper Bradley Collins and was rewarded as the ball ricocheted off his back and into the net!
However, that dim light was seemingly extinguished by the hosts moments later after attacker Jeremie Boga impressively dribbled into the area and pulled a perfect ball back for Solanke to double his tally.
Town battled hard in the second 45 minutes - with midfielder Booty somehow being denied a goal after a scrambled effort was cleared off the line by a defender - but instead the next goal was Solanke’s hat-trick; a comprehensive smash past Ryan after Pells took too long over a clearance.
Second year scholar Fraser Horsfall hit the crossbar late on through a set piece header, but the Terriers were limited to just the one goal on the evening.
In fact the final goal was a Chelsea sixth, with substitute Kasey Palmer hitting a stunning 25 yard drive that was still rising as it nestled in the top corner of Ryan's goal.
Town’s Under-18 team (4-2-3-1):
Tadhg Ryan; Jack Senior, Nathaniel Pells, Jacob Hanson (Sam Warde, 67), Brad Carroll (c); Fraser Horsfall, Jamie Spencer; Jack Boyle, Regan Booty, Adam Porritt (Liam Coogans, 46); Rekeil Pyke (Danny Kane, 52)
Substitutes:
Clarke Bogard, Ronan Coughlan
Booking:
Regan Booty (57)
Attendance:
301
