Academy Manager speaks after game against Indonesian side

- Leigh Bromby reflects on Young Terriers game against Garuda
- Game provides a different challenge for the Under-17s
- Kian Harratt and Jaheim Headley on target for Young Terriers

Leigh Bromby reflected on the challenge his Huddersfield Town’s Under-17s came up against when facing a Garuda Select side at the Birmingham FA HQ on Wednesday 20 March 2019.

Garuda had already faced a number of English Academy sides in the weeks prior to the game, running out 4-0 victors over Blackburn Rovers U18s most recently; before games against QPR, MK Dons, Macclesfield Town and Walsall.

It was a bright start for Leigh Bromby’s side as Kian Harratt found the net in the 9th minute, poking home his 33rd goal of the season from close range after a neat run and low cross from Andrew Ijiwole.

13 minutes later Town doubled their lead as Sam Sharrock-Peplow delivered in a wicked curled corner from the right that found Jaheim Headley who was able to divert the ball home on the line.

Garuda pulled one back within five minutes of the second-half as a low cross was directed in at the far post before the comeback was complete in injury time and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

“We’re always looking to give our players new challenges; to give them a more rounded experience as part of their development and this game provided that. Explained Leigh Bromby

“We came up against a strong opponent, full of energy, who put us under immense pressure throughout the game in possession.

“The key theme was to challenge our players to play forwards and make forward runs, so the press from the opponent made it that extra bit challenging; which was good.

“I think we did well in achieving what we wanted, particularly in the first-half. Garuda shuffled their side in the second-half and the fresh legs were difficult for us.”

Town’s Under-17s are next in action at PPG Canalside on Saturday playing against Mansfield Town with kick-off at 12noon.

Town’s Starting Line-up (3-4-3)
Giosue Bellagambi; Nassim Kherbouche, Tom Bamford, Mustapha Olagunju; Jaheim Headley, Josh Austerfield, Seth Meeson (Darnell Mintus, 70'), George Alfieri (Remi Thompson, 75'); Sam Sharrock-Peplow (Mohammed Diaby, 80'), Kian Harratt, Andrew Ijiwole

Goals
Kian Harratt and Jaheim Headley

Final Score
Garuda Select 2-2 Huddersfield Town U17s