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Match Previews

KIT ELLIOTT DETERMINED TO KEEP IMPROVING

28 January 2021

Forward featured for Cork City on loan

- Kit Elliott eager to keep building on his current performances
- Young Terrier returned from loan spell at Cork City last month
- Under-19s travel to Middlesbrough on Friday afternoon

Huddersfield Town B Team forward Kit Elliott is keen to keep building on the impressive start he’s had back with Town’s Academy since returning from loan.

The Young Terrier spent four months last season with Cork City, returning to Huddersfield when the League of Ireland Premier Division finished in November.

Elliott spoke to htafc.com about how he found the experience.

“I really enjoyed it. Playing abroad was something different and it was really good.

“Men’s football is more physical than Academy football and I think being on loan before helped with the transition.

“In my first game out there, I scored and got an assist, so that helped give me confidence to know that I can compete at that level.

“I think loans help me to adapt to the physicality of senior football and I’m now a lot more confident playing against men.

“I know I can hold my own against them and perform to a good level.”

The youngster was also quick to comment on the impact of moving to a different country.

“It took a bit time to adjust. I had to get used to living on my own and a different culture.

“I also had to get used to how everything operated over there and different shops.

“Now I’ve learnt how to live independently and to lead a professional lifestyle off the pitch.

“It gave me a lot of respect for the French lads here who have moved away from home and had to learn a new language, that must make it even harder for them.”

Since being back in HD1, the striker has had an instant impact within the Academy, scoring in his first game back – a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in November 2020.

“It was great to come back and score in my first game back with in Huddersfield with the B Team.

“It was a positive start and I’ve gone on to score a few more goals since then and I’m just looking to build on that and to build on these performances and hopefully just keep on improving.

“I’ve enjoyed being back. Obviously being part of the B Team there’s a lot of focus on developing as a player and working hard in the gym.

“We also do a lot on the pitch and individually. I feel like I definitely do see improvements in my game when I’m here training.”

The 19-year-old also took the time to reflect on how far he’s come in the last year.

“I’ve been working a lot in the gym and doing extras after training to improve my fitness even more and become even sharper.

“I want to help myself in games and so I definitely feel like I’m sharper and fitter compared to last year.

“I’m definitely more confident as well. I’ve had a lot of experience now with the loans and playing with the B Team and being on the bench for the First Team.”

Kit and his U19 teammates will be back in action on Friday afternoon, when they travel to take on Middlesbrough. You can follow live tweets on Town’s Academy Twitter; @htafcacademy.

Match Reports

REPORT: MIDDLESBROUGH 2-2 TOWN U19s

29 January 2021

Huddersfield Town’s Under-19s came from behind twice to draw

- Town’s U19s drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough
- Huddersfield Town’s youngsters came from behind twice
- Brahima Diarra and Jaheim Headley were on the scoresheet

Huddersfield Town’s Under-19s drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough in a closely fought contest at Rockcliffe.

Brahima Diarra and Jaheim Headley both netted for the Young Terriers to keep the scoresheet level at the final whistle.

Middlesbrough’s XI included some strong names in the form of First Team players Grant Hall and Ashley Fletcher.

The game began at a frantic pace with both sides finding the back of the net early on.

The home side took an early lead in the fourth minute as Middlesbrough's right winger proved difficult to handle. The midfield player darted down the right side well before clipping the ball across the face of goal. The ball then cannoned off the inside of the right post to settle inside the net.

Town reacted well to conceding early on and found their equaliser just five minutes later. Some impressive interplay between Matty Daly and Brahima Diarra saw the visitors advance through the midfield and into a threatening position. Daly's backheeled pass was struck powerfully by Diarra on the edge of the box and into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Town came close to finding the lead in the 18th minute as Micah Obiero's impressive run down the right created an opening. Unfortunately for the Young Terriers, Obiero's cross was marginally too far ahead of Daly, allowing the keeper to claim.

Despite chances for Town, Middlesbrough were able to break through their defence and prove a threat. Giosue Bellagambi produced an important save in the 26th minute to palm the Middlesbrough midfielder's curling effort around the post.

Middlesbrough continued to press and took the lead again in the 36th minute. The attacking midfielder was allowed to break down the left, dribbling the ball to the post before poking it under Bellagambi into the back of the net.

Town began the second half brightly and tested the keeper in the 49th minute. An inswinging freekick from the right taken by Sam Peplow found Kian Harratt inside the box, whose low header was well saved by Boro’s goalkeeper.

Town levelled the scoresheet once more in the 57th minute thanks to Jaheim Headley. An attack from Daly found its way to Headley rushing into the box from the left. Headley slammed his shot under the ‘keeper, forcefully finding the bottom right corner.

The Young Terriers had the chance to go ahead as the ball fell to Brahima Diarra on the edge of the box. However, the young midfielder was denied a brace as the keeper saved his low curled effort.

Daly came even closer for the youngsters just moments later. The midfielder cut inside from the left l and curled a shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Town continued to pile on the pressure in the closing minutes and came close yet again to stealing a late winner, this time through Sam Peplow. A pass from Daly set Peplow up nicely, however his shot fell agonisingly wide of the bottom right corner.

Huddersfield Town’s Under-19s (4-3-3)

Giosue Bellagambi; Jaheim Headley, Mustapha Olagunju, Loick Ayina, Aaron Rowe (Sam Peplow, 46’); Brahima Diarra, Matty Daly, Josh Austerfield (c) (Etienne Camara, 28’); Sorba Thomas (Will McCamley, 46’), Kian Harratt (Kit Elliott, 69’), Micah Obiero

Unused subs

Michael Roxburgh, Nassim Kherbouche

Scorers

Brahima Diarra (9’), Jaheim Headley (57’)