Young Terriers worked on fight zone against Rotherham United

- Huddersfield Town Under-17s in league action against Rotherham United
- Young Terriers work on fight zone
- Coach Oran Thompson comments after game

Huddersfield Town’s Under-17s continued their work on the fight zone against Rotherham United at Canalside on Thursday afternoon.

Town started the game the brighter of the two sides, with two chances in quick succession.

The first saw Sonny Whittingham latch onto Ernaldo Krasniqi’s pass, but his shot went wide of the right post.

Krasniqi reached highest for the resulting corner, but his header was caught by Rotherham’s ‘keeper.

The Young Terriers continued to be the more dominant side throughout the first 45 minutes but were unable able to find the finish they needed to take the lead.

Darnel Baxter-Alleyne came closest, sending a powerful shot goal bound, but it hit the right post and was cleared from danger.

When the match resumed after the half time whistle, the visitors threw themselves into the game and broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Following a free kick, George Scott was able to slot the ball past Nicholas Bilokapic.

Rotherham built on their newfound confidence, with George Scott and Haroon Salah netting two further goals to seal the win.

Town fought to get back into the game as the clock continued to count down, but Andre Edionhon saw his header go over the bar, whilst Baxter-Alleyne’s shot at goal went wide of the left post.

Speaking after the game, Academy Coach Oran Thompson was quick to comment on what his side can take from the defeat.

“I want them to take the positive first half from this game. We played really well in that first 45 minutes.

“Obviously we didn’t get any goals, but it was a very positive first half performance – there were some good bits we can take from that.

“The sending off in the second half didn’t help but playing with 10 men is an experience for the boys to learn from.

“We’re working on the fight zone in training at the minute, so all the out of possession bits such as duals and ariels, which today we had thrown at us and we can look back at in the post-match review and see where we can improve at that.

“Overall, we did play well, but we need to work on being able to get the final ball and then use that final ball to make those chances work for us.”

Huddersfield Town Under-17s Team (4-3-3)

Nicholas Bilokapic; Charles Nduwuisi-Ondo (Michael Stone, 60’), David Adewoju, Ernaldo Krasniqi (c), Neo Eccleston (Dylan Helliwell, 60’); Sonny Whittingham, Darnel Baxter-Alleyne, Donay O’Brien-Brady; Evander Grubb (Cian Philpott, 60’), Andre Edionhon, Robson Shipley

Unused Sub

Michael Roxburgh

Town Red Card

Ernaldo Krasniqi (62’)

Final Score

Huddersfield Town Under-17s 0-3 Rotherham United