Pyke and Tronstad score in victory
- Town's Under-21s win at Watford
- Rekeil Pyke & Sondre Tronstad score the goals
- Highlights on HTTV on Friday
A young Huddersfield Town Under-21 side triumphed over a more experienced Watford line-up in the Professional Development League 2 clash this afternoon.
Watford took the lead through 25 year-old Colombian international Victor Ibarbo during a first half where the Hornets were on top, but Frankie Bunn’s side came out firing in the second period and were ahead after quick-fire goals from Rekeil Pyke and Sondre Tronstad just six minutes in.
Once again, Bunn didn’t name any overage players in his side; a trend throughout the campaign so far. His side included first starts at Under-21 level for goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan and midfielder Jamie Spencer, whilst centre back Danny Kane made just his second start.
In total, the starting XI included three Under-18 Academy scholars – Jacob Hanson, Jamie Spencer and Rekeil Pyke – with a further two on the bench in Jack Boyle and Sam Warde.
That young side was in for a stern test, with Watford’s U21 boss Harry Kewell fielding the maximum three overage outfielders and overage goalkeeper. Former Walsall custodian Rene Gilmartin lined up in goal, whilst the opposition also included Lloyd Doyley, 30 year-old Uruguayan centre back Miguel Britos and attacker Ibarbo, who played in the 2014 World Cup quarter final against Brazil.
It was Ibarbo who opened the scoring within the first 12 minutes; he turned past a couple of challenges before firing low past Ryan from the edge of the box.
Watford continued to make the running until the half time whistle, but whatever Bunn said at half time did the trick as Town scored two goals in as many minutes.
The first came in the 50th minute, when Under-18 striker Pyke got across a defender to stab home a low cross from the left from strike partner Jake Charles.
Barely a minute later, the young Terriers were ahead. Left back Jack Senior sent a looping cross into the Watford box and it was the unlikely figure of diminutive Norwegian midfielder Sondre Tronstad who powered a superb header past Gilmartin.
Bunn was forced into a late change when goalkeeper Ryan took a knock to the face in the final few minutes after bravely punching a corner clear, but Town’s Under-21s held on to record a second successive win.
Highlights from the game will follow on HTTV on Friday!
Town’s team (4-4-2 diamond):
Tadhg Ryan (Sam Guthrie, 90); Jack Senior, William Boyle (c), Danny Kane, Jacob Hanson; Jamie Spencer, Duane Holmes, Sondre Tronstad, Ronan Coughlan (Jack Boyle, 82); Rekeil Pyke, Jake Charles (Fraser Horsfall, 90)
Unused subs:
Joe Wilkinson, Sam Warde
