Town's second-string picked up a deserved win in the Pontin's Holidays League over local rivals Bradford City in what was an entertaining contest between two young sides. The Bantams took the lead early in the game, but a Matthew Young penalty and a poacher's goal from Daniel Broadbent gave the Terriers all three points.
John Dungworth's side started the game in a 4-4-2 formation, with Alex Smithies a late replacement for Simon Eastwood in goal. In front of the England under-17 goalkeeper, the back four were Daniel Codman, Shane Killock, Spencer Harris - who was making his first start for the Reserves - and Danny Racchi. The midfield consisted of Mitchell Bailey and James Berrett on the right and left wings respectively, with Club Captain Jon Worthington and skipper Matthew Young in the centre. Up front, Reserve team top scorer Lucas Akins was partnered by the under-18 top scorer Daniel Broadbent.
Bradford City were equally as young and after a quick review of the two sides, Jon Worthington was the oldest of the 22 players that started the game - at the age of 23!
The opening ten minutes were an even affair, with Bradford having the first shot of the game after 9 minutes through striker Luke Medley. He got on the end of a through ball from strike partner Nathan Joynes after he had rolled Spencer Harris on the left touchline, but his shot went well wide of Alex Smithies' right-hand post as left-back Daniel Codman read the game brilliantly and covered his centre-backs to restrict Joynes' space.
Town's first effort came after 12 minutes when Shane Killock intercepted a cross at the near post and released Mitchell Bailey down the right. His deep cross found Lucas Akins, who controlled the ball on his chest as the full-back slipped but could only steer his shot wide of the right-hand post.
A minute later, James Berrett came inside off the left wing and went on a positive run before releasing a drive that went just over the Bradford bar from 25 yards.
GOAL - Bradford went ahead after 14 minutes when Sean Taylforth beat Alex Smithies with a tremendous shot from just outside the box that squeezed between the 'keeper and the left-hand post.
The lively Berrett tried to get Town back on level terms, breaking through the Bradford defence with the ball before attempting to lift the ball over the onrushing Bradford 'keeper Convey. The custodian did well, getting a hand to the ball and allowing Kallum Griffiths to get back and clear off the line.
Goalscorer Taylforth then forced a great reaction save out of Smithies after 16 minutes, forcefully heading a right-wing cross towards goal that Alex deflected over the bar with a strong left-handed save.
That frantic five minutes since the goal then gave way to a calmer period, with both sides unable to hold the ball up in the final third.
Matthew Young hit a piledriver on the half-hour mark that knocked one of the Bradford defenders off his feet. From the resulting corner, Bailey's delivery was flicked on by Lucas Akins to the back post where strike partner Broadbent could only knock the ball over the bar.
'Broady' then hit a left foot shot over the bar while just inside the Bradford area a minute later.
Town were now having the majority of the possession and were creating a few chances. Bailey sent over a typically accurate cross for Daniel Broadbent to get his head onto with 6 minutes of the half left and his effort had to be tipped over the bar by Matthew Convey.
Another Bailey cross a minute later - this time low and across the face of the goal - forced an excellent block at the far post from a Bantams defender as Broadbent again tried his luck. The right-hand side combination of Bailey and Danny Racchi was working really well, with the former having another excellent game at right-back for the Reserves.
GOAL - Town earned a penalty with a minute left of the half; Mitchell Bailey's brilliant ball found Lucas Akins just outside the Bradford box to the right of goal and he out-strengthed one City defender before advancing into the box and being upended by left-back Luke O'Brien. The penalty was taken by Matthew Young, who sent the 'keeper the wrong way to equalize.
Half-Time: Huddersfield Town 1 Bradford City 1
SUB - John Dungworth made one change at half-time, withdrawing Jon Worthington and introducing Stephen Brook. This change saw James Berrett move into central midfield to partner Matthew Young, with Brook occupying the left wing.
The substitute didn't take long to get involved - glancing a deep Danny Racchi cross wide after two minutes of the half.
GOAL - Town took the lead for the first time on the evening after 49 minutes through Daniel Broadbent. A deep corner from Bailey dropped to Spencer Harris, who turned the ball towards goal for Broady to spin and shoot with his left foot in one motion from very close range - leaving Convey in goal with no chance.
SUB - John Dungworth then made his second change after 51 minutes, replacing Broadbent with first-year Academy striker Dave Heagney.
Bradford tried to hit back in the 55th minute, forcing the save of the game from Alex Smithies. A deep cross from left-back O'Brien caught Town on the move, trying to play the Bradford strikers offside, and the ball fell to Nathan Joynes. Smithies hurled himself bravely at the feet of the Bradford striker to deflect the shot and then watched on as Luke Sharry blasted the rebound high over the Town bar.
Luke Medley looked to have broken through the Town defence in the 64th minute but he was brilliantly intercepted on the edge of the box by Shane Killock, who was having a good game at the back.
Medley broke through again after 67th minute, but he was brilliantly denied again by the impressive Smithies whose full length dive to his left enabled him to push the shot away.
Smithies then fielded a long shot from Tom Penford with consummate ease after 73 minutes.
SUB - Bradford then made their first change of the evening, bringing on Louis Horne for Luke Medley.
BOOKING - Mitchell Bailey was booked by referee Pawson after 79 minutes for dissent.
SUB - Town made their final change of the evening after 81 minutes - bringing on Dave Pickering for Mitchell Bailey. This change saw the substitute go into the right-back slot, with Danny Racchi moving onto the wing.
With three minutes left, Luke Morgan stepped inside off the right-wing and looked to strike a shot into Smithies' far post but he sliced his shot badly wide of goal.
BOOKED - A minute later the referee booked visiting defender Liam Smith for a foul on Lucas Akins.
Just as the fourth official indicated three minutes of added time, Lucas Akins blazed a shot wide of the Bradford goal from the edge of the box.
Town's Team:
Alex Smithies, Danny Racchi, Daniel Codman, Mitchell Bailey (David Pickering 81), Shane Killock, Spencer Harris, James Berrett, Jon Worthington (Stephen Brook 46), Lucas Akins, Daniel Broadbent (Dave Heagney 51), Matthew Young
Unused Sub: Leigh Franks
Attendance: 216
