Three goals in third Central League Cup win

- Huddersfield Town U19s play latest Central League Cup game
- Three wins in the competition for the Young Terriers
- Goals from Sam Sharrock-Peplow and Kieran Phillips (2)

Huddersfield Town’s Under-19s secured the third win of their Central League Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Salford City at Canalside.

The two sides entered the interval all square after Luke Armstrong cancelled out winger Sam Sharrock-Peplow’s early strike.

Kieran Phillips once again made his mark in the second half, though, as he scored twice from the bench to make it 10 goals in six matches and earn the Young Terriers a well-earned three points.

The game was always going to provide a stern test for Town, who started the game with four 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old in right back Brodie Spencer. In comparison, Salford’s line-up included long-time Town nemesis George Boyd and several mor experienced players in their mid-twenties such as 6’ 5” tall striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, former Swindon and Kilmarnock midfielder Martin Smith and 24-year-old striker Luke Armstrong – son of one-time Town loanee Alun.

Brandon Thomas-Asante also started on the wing for the Ammies, who has played 10 Sky Bet League 2 games this season, in direct opposition to Spencer.

However, Town got off to the best possible start when they took the lead inside five minutes. Captain Ben Jackson slipped a lovely ball through to find winger Sharrock-Peplow’s superb inside run, who showed great composure to round the ‘keeper and tap into an empty net.

Ryan Schofield – playing more minutes following his long-term thumb issue – was then called into action twice in quick succession to preserve Town’s lead as first he denied Dieseruvwe with his feet, before showing some great reflexes to stop a powerful effort from Armstrong.

Salford then got back on level terms ten minutes before the break following a mix-up in the Town defence. Schofield failed to properly clear the ball as it bounced into the penalty area and although he pulled off a stunning save to prevent Dieseruvwe from equalising, Armstrong was there first to tap home on the line.

Despite the unfortunate setback, Town continued to play their football and almost regained the lead, but Kian Harratt dragged his shot just wide of the mark meaning the two sides went in level at the break.

After replacing Harratt during the interval, it took Phillips just 25 seconds to make his impact on proceedings. The striker cleverly moved into the space vacated by a forward run from centre back Sam Fielding upon kick-off and latched onto a ball into the space. In typical fashion, he steered the ball calmly into the bottom corner.

Town then doubled their advantage with 20 minutes still to play as Phillips notched his second of the afternoon. Luke Daley – who started the game at the unfamiliar position of centre back before moving to left back later – crossed from the left for the striker inside the area and he instinctively powered home a first-time finish beyond the ‘keeper.

The Young Terriers defended resolutely in the final stages and went the closest of the two teams to a fifth goal through a long-range effort from Brahima Diarra, which was parried away by Nick Hayes.

There were lots of positives to take aside from the result. Spencer did brilliantly against danger-man Thomas-Asante throughout the 90 minutes, whilst another 16-year-old – centre back David Adewoju – came on and battled well against the physical Dieseruvwe for 25 minutes.

Schofield got valuable minutes on the pitch too, whilst 17-year-old Frenchman Etienne Camara completed 90 minutes in midfield after his international clearance came through this week.

That win extends Town’s lead at the top of their Central League Cup table, adding to previous victories at Walsall and Grimsby Town.

Huddersfield Town’s Under-19s (4-3-3)

Ryan Schofield (Jacob Chapman 64’); Jaheim Headley, Luke Daley, Loick Ayina, Brodie Spencer; Ben Jackson (c), Brahima Diarra, Etienne Camara; Sam Sharrock-Peplow (David Adewoju 64’), Kian Harratt (Kieran Phillips 46’), Will McCamley

Unused subs

Josh Okpolokpo, Charles Nduwuisi-Ondo

Scorers

Sam Sharrock-Peplow (5’), Kieran Phillips (46’, 70’)

Final score

Huddersfield Town Under-19s 3-1 Salford City