Town’s U19s beaten in second half
- Huddersfield Town’s U19s beaten 4-2 by Manchester City
- Second half goals secured City’s victory
- Goals from Conor Falls and Will McCamley
Huddersfield Town's Under-19s succumbed to a 4-2 defeat against a strong Manchester City Academy XI.
Town produced a valiant and hard-working display, pressing Manchester City at times before dominating possession in large spells, but ultimately City’s quality prevailed with two late strikes.
The Young Terrier’s outlay from the start was clear to see with Jon Worthington instructing his side to press high and relay possession in the centre. This starved City of the ball, which saw them take a while to adjust to the pressure.
Town began the game emphatically, taking the lead in the opening minute through Conor Falls, who guided Sam Peplow’s pinpoint delivery past Pierce Charles.
Moments after the opener, Jaheim Headley went close to doubling the lead, forcing Charles into a routine save before Jadel Katongo blocked a subsequent follow-up.
The home side slowly began to find their rhythm, carving out their first major opportunity on 25 minutes through Dire Mebude, who sharply turned away from Nassim Kherbouche before drilling wide of the far post.
On the half-hour mark, Ernaldo Krasniqi forced Charles into a fingertip save, pushing his drive from 20 yards onto the crossbar and behind.
Alas, City levelled on 33 minutes, as Liam Smith picked up the ball from deep, riding several challenges before the winger slotted his shot under the dive of Chapman.
The equaliser reinvigorated Manchester City’s confidence, almost taking the lead in a similar move to their first. This time, though, Chapman was quick off his line to pinch the ball away from the feet of Mebude.
Town started to find their feet again, however, the half-time whistle came at the wrong time as their momentum was rebuilding.
City came out in the second period much better, taking the lead seven minutes after the restart.
Smith carried the ball into the area and saw his cross cleared to the feet of Josh Adam, who bundled his way past his marker before seeing his deflected strike fly past the dive of Chapman.
On the hour, Krasniqi had two great opportunities to bring the visitors level. First, Krasniqi saw an effort at the back post blocked by the challenge of Juan Larios before the midfielder saw his snapshot from the edge pushed wide by the ‘keeper.
Town equalised through Will McCamley’s fantastic solo run, where the winger was slipped into the area by Evander Grubb before he rifled an effort past Charles via a deflection off the foot of Mahamdou Susoho.
City didn’t dwell on conceding, though, regaining the lead just three minutes later through Carlos Borges, who finished off a fast-flowing counter-attack.
In the end, City’s quality prevailed, with Oscar Bobb providing an excellently struck free-kick into the top corner to win the game for the home side.
Huddersfield Town Under-19s (4-3-3)
Jacob Chapman; Brodie Spencer, David Adewoju, Nassim Kherbouche, Luke Daley (Donay O’Brien-Brady, 46); Josh Austerfield (c) (Evander Grubb, 67’), Will McCamley, Ernaldo Krasniqi; Jaheim Headley, Conor Falls, Sam Peplow (Josh Okpolokpo, 83’)
Unused Subs
Nicholas Bilokapic
Scorers
Conor Falls (1’), Will McCamley (73’)
Final Score
Manchester City 4-2 Huddersfield Town Under-19s