Run of 14 straight wins comes to an end
- Town Under-21s draw at home to Crewe Alexandra
- Jake Charles the scorer for HTAFC
- Run of 14 straight wins comes to an end
The winning run of 14 consecutive games for Town’s Under-21 side came to an end on Monday, with visitors Crewe Alexandra scoring an 85th minute equaliser for a share of the spoils at PPG Canalside.
The young Terriers were not at their best all afternoon, but did spurn two massive chances in the first half before Jake Charles opened the scoring just 40 seconds into the second half.
However, James Bailie netted an effort with five minutes remaining and Crewe almost won the game, hitting the post late on.
The first big chance of the game fell to Charles, who uncharacteristically fired wide of the far post after being put through on goal by strike partner Rekeil Pyke inside the 13th minute.
A flurry of shots followed soon after from left back Jack Senior and Philip Billing, but although Town dominated possession the game remained goalless.
Pyke then spurned a big chance in the 38th minute after being put through on goal by Ronan Coughlan’s sweeping pass, choosing to prod towards goal with his favoured right foot when it looked easier to shoot with his left and failing to beat goalkeeper David Richards.
However, Pyke turned provider early in the second half; he was gifted possession on the edge of Crewe’s box by an errant pass and had acres of space to put Charles into the left side of the area. The Wales Under-21 international steadied himself before firing nicely past the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.
Town had plenty of shots thereafter but couldn’t hit the target, after which there was a real ‘heart in mouth’ moment in the 65th minute when Town centre back Danny Kane went into a sliding tackle with striker Callum Ainley inside the area. Crewe wanted a penalty, but referee David Storrie was right on the spot to wave away the claims.
Crewe enjoyed a good spell after that disappointment and equalised in rather scruffy fashion late on, working the ball into the area for Baillie to fire home past goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan first time.
With a minute of the game left Crewe went close to winning it; a ball somehow evaded Town skipper William Boyle and fell to attacker Charlie Kirk, who firmly struck the post with only Ryan to beat in the box.
Instead, it was Town pressing in the five minutes of added time, played due to a late injury to Philip Billing. Crewe somehow managed to clear a Regan Booty shot after another great pass from Coughlan before a defender blocked another Charles effort from a late attacking corner.
Highlights of this game will appear on HTTV on Tuesday.
Town’s team (4-4-2 diamond):
Tadhg Ryan; Jack Senior, William Boyle (c), Danny Kane, Jacob Hanson; Regan Booty, Philip Billing (Lewis O’Brien, 90), Ronan Coughlan, Jack Boyle (Fraser Horsfall, 81); Jake Charles, Rekeil Pyke
Unused subs:
Sam Guthrie, Joe Wilkinson, Callum Charlton
