Preston North End vs on 20 Apr 21 - Match Centre

Defender captained latest Under-17s fixture against Doncaster Rovers

- Josh Okpolokpo speaks to htafc.com
- Defender discusses captaining Under-17 side
- Young Terriers face Preston North End on Tuesday 20 April 2021

Huddersfield Town Under-19 defender Josh Okpolokpo feels happy with the steps he’s made this season as he aims to set an example both on and off the field for his teammates.

The young centre back has featured heavily for the Academy’s Under-17s side this season and has continued his development in fine form recently.

Okpolokpo most recently featured in the Young Terriers’ win over Doncaster Rovers, where emphasis was put on the player’s game management, and was integral to the team’s efforts to shut out their opponents.

“I think it was a great performance.

“It was our objective to go out there get the result whereas usually we go into these types of games focused on development and trying to better ourselves and our individual performances, but we showed all that is coming together now.”

The youngster has been given the opportunity to captain the side this season, something he admits has seen big improvements in his development.

“I feel like this season has been one of improvement for myself, my main goal is to be the leader of the team, and in games improve my skills.

“Playing with some of the younger players I’ve got a little more experience, I played in the Youth Alliance League last year and I’m all about striving to help them develop.

“I’m proud to take the armband for this Club, it’s a real honour. Hopefully I can improve and progress through the groups here and show I can be a leader moving forward.

“Working with this group this year has been great. I was in their position a year before and from training and playing I can see they’re improving every day.

“We’re always working on new things and in the games, we’re practicing those things, we all just need to keep going at this rate and we’ll get to where we want to be.”

The Young Terriers are back in action on Tuesday 20 April 2021 when they travel to face Preston North End in the Quarter-Final of the 2020/21 Clarets Cup. You can follow live match updates on the official Academy Twitter; @htafcacademy.

Confident performance sees Clarets Cup win

- U17s showcase confident performance to secure win
- Goals from Donay O’Brien-Brady and Neo Eccleston
- Win sees them progress to Clarets Cup Semi-Finals

Huddersfield Town’s Under-17s showcased a confident performance against Preston North End as they ran out 2-0 winners to progress to the 2020/21 Clarets Cup Semi-Finals.

The Young Terriers started the game brightly, with their first chance coming within the opening seven minutes. Brodie Spencer collected the ball from Etienne Camara, but saw his shot go wide of the net.

Town continued to pile on the pressure in the opening stages of the game, with their second chance coming just three minutes later. This time it was Conor Falls chance, but he also saw the ball go wide.

Preston had a chance to take the lead in the 23rd minute, when one of their midfielders called Nicholas Bilokapic into action.

Town’s determination paid off in the 27th minute, with Donay O’Brien-Brady giving the visitors the lead. Camara provided him with the ball, which he sent flying into the top left corner.

O’Brien-Brady almost bagged a brace just before half time; however, his shot went wide.

Town started the second half unchanged and with the same energy, finding their first chance just 30 seconds after the restart. David Adewoju reached highest to meet Falls’ header but was unable to send it into the back of the net.

Sonny Whittingham got involved in the hunt for a second goal just seconds later, but his shot tipped over the crossbar.

O’Brien-Brady was still determined to find his brace, with two chances in quick succession. His first shot smacked off the crossbar and out of play, whilst he second bounced off the post.

Town’s pressure paid off again in the 78th minute. O’Brien-Brady tried his luck again, but saw his shot saved. However, Eccleston was able to pounce on the rebound and send the ball past Preston’s ‘keeper.

The Young Terriers saw out the final moments of the game with three more chances to add another goal to their tally. Whittingham, O’Brien-Brady and Spencer all had a go, but each were unable to find the back of the net.

The win sees Town’s U17s progress to the 2020/21 Clarets Cup Semi-Finals. Their opponents will be announced in due course.

Town’s U17s Team (4-3-3)

Nicholas Bilokapic; Charles Nduwuisi-Ondo (Shane Maroodza, 60’), David Adewoju, Loick Ayina (c), Neo Eccleston; Sonny Whittingham, Brodie Spencer, Etienne Camara; Donay O’Brien-Brady, Conor Falls, Evander Grubb

Unused Subs

Trialist, Jeremy Stewart, Michael Stone

Scorers

Donay O'Brien-Brady 27’, Neo Eccleston 78’

Town Bookings

Brodie Spencer 33’

Final Score

Preston North End 0-2 Town U17s

Huddersfield Town

JOSH OKPOLOKPO PROUD TO CAPTAIN YOUNG TERRIERS

U17s PROGRESS TO CLARETS CUP SEMI-FINALS