A very young Town Academy side enjoyed a great second-half performance during the recent FA Premier Academy League match at Sunderland.
Under-18 Manager Graham Mitchell selected six players under the age of 16 in his squad for this rearranged fixture as well as a trialist and his inexperienced side will have gained some great experience in this fixture.
The home side started the game in strong fashion and were actually four goals to the good by the stroke of the 35th minute, but Mitchell's youthful side showed great character - rather than letting their heads drop, they rallied and fully deserved the two consolation goals netted by first-year scholar Ryan Watson and under-16 striker Shane Birtles.
Birtles joined his under-16 colleagues defender Adam Field, winger Michael McCaffery and midfielder Adam Colton in the line-up along with under-15 goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson and striker Hatib Cham; the latter picking up a knock after just 15 minutes of the game. Centre-back Tom Stewart was the trialist on show - he has previously been with Liverpool.
Midfielder Watson recently opened his account for the under-18 side with a stunning free-kick against Liverpool and another set-piece saw him net his second goal at this level in the 40th minute on Tyneside. In-form winger Aiden Chippendale was brought down by a Sunderland defender and the first-year scholar took the responsibility of converting the subsequent kick from 12 yards out.
The Terriers scored a well-constructed second with 10 minutes of the game remaining. Youngster Birtles grabbed the headlines at the Club recently with a brace from the substitutes' bench in his reserve team debut against York City and netted his first goal at under-18 level in cool fashion, sliding the ball past the goalkeeper from close range after a good ball into the box from first-year scholar Chris Atkinson.
Academy Manager Mitchell explained that he was pleased with his young players:
"The lads had a difficult spell in the first-half when the strong Sunderland side put them under heavy pressure and we had to recover from the loss of 'Tibby' (Hatib Cham) and change our shape slightly. However, the final ten minutes of the first-half and the second-half were much better; we played very well.
"The under-15 and 16 players will have found the game difficult, but they have all gained invaluable experience of football at this level."
Town's Team:
Lloyd Allinson, Adam Bower (Jack Hunt 55), Josh McLean (Liam Ridehalgh 55), Ryan Watson, Adam Field, Tom Stewart, Michael McCaffery, Chris Atkinson, Shane Birtles, Hatib Cham (Adam Colton 15), Aiden Chippendale
Unused Subs: Spencer Harris, Lewis Nightingale
