Under-17s overcome testing winds against Rotherham

- Young Terriers dealt well with difficult conditions
- Huddersfield Town Under-17s worked on high fight zone when applicable
- Jon Worthington pleased with his group’s decision-making and adaptability

Huddersfield Town’s Under-17s battled through treacherous winds as they scored three goals in their latest development fixture against Rotherham.

The circumstances made it difficult for Worthy’s team to work on their original objectives centred around the high fight zone and out of possession work, however as a unit they adapted well to play under pressure.

In the first half they had the advantage of the wind which allowed them to pen their opponents in for the majority of the half, and carved out two counter attacking goals, put away by Brahima Diarra and Patrick Jones in quick succession.

Despite conceding in added time at the end of the first half, the Young Terriers stuck to their guns, making smart decisions on and off the ball, eventually working another counter-attack that Diarra put away for his second, for the second game in a row.

And on the whole, Worthy was impressed with the way his side went about proceedings on the day, achieving their objectives as best they could and showing the ability to adapt to the tough circumstances.

“I was really pleased to be honest, with high winds it’s about the team that adapts to the conditions the best and I thought we did that,” he said.

“With the wind in the first half I thought our detail on the ball in terms of passing was very good and we scored some well-worked goals. Then on the flip side in the second half we played in the right areas, tried to play forwards, and we saw some really good decision making from the lads.

“I think they did well with the objectives we set out, but it was difficult to really implement that in the conditions and in terms of trying to force the high fight zone. The positive was the out of possession work - so being able to compete, win second balls, and defending the box.

“To score three goals is great; we have got players with pace, we transition very well, and I think on the counter we were a real threat.

“I think the main thing I’m taking away from this game is the decision-making from the players, understanding that sometimes in certain games under certain conditions it can play a major part in the game and it’s about adapting to those, and they’ve shown their adaptability and decision-making.”

Up next for Huddersfield’s Under-17s is another home match in the EFL Youth Alliance League on Saturday 29 February 2020, this time against Bradford City, and Worthy will be hoping he can continue their development.

Town’s U17 team vs Rotherham (4-3-3)

Michael Roxburgh; Luke Daley (Darnel Baxter-Alleyne, 68’), Tom Bamford, Josh Okpolokpo, Gulutte Zunda (Robson Shipley, 68’); Ben Midgley (c), Ernaldo Krasniqi, Myles Bright; Sam Sharrock-Peplow, Brahima Diarra (Johnny Allotey, 83’), Patrick Jones (George Brevett, 74’)

Scorers

Brahima Diarra (34’, 67’), Patrick Jones (36’)

Final score

Huddersfield Town Under-17s 3-1 Rotherham United