Winger Will McCamley nets twice in Central League Cup
- Huddersfield Town U19s win at Walsall
- Will McCamley nets twice, with other goal from Mustapha Olagunju
- Three points to open Central League Cup campaign
Huddersfield Town Under-19s began their 2020/21 Central League Cup campaign with a win as they defeated Walsall Reserves 3-2 in Birmingham on Tuesday afternoon.
Jon Worthington’s side took the lead late in the first half and secured the three points through goals from winger Will McCamley (2) and centre back Mustapha Olagunju.
Town manufactured the first significant opportunity of the first half inside the opening ten minutes. Ernaldo Krasniqi released Josh Okpolokpo, advancing forward from right-back, who cut back to Kian Harratt in a pocket of space inside the penalty area. With his back to goal, Harratt managed to turn and get his shot away - forcing a smart save out of Walsall goalkeeper Jack Rose before the ball was cleared to safety.
Deep-lying midfielder Krasniqi, 17, was involved in the build-up again as Town looked to swiftly transition through the thirds of the pitch. Olagunju confidently stepped up to intercept an attempted ball over the top of the Town defence and cushioned his header into Krasniqi on halfway. The midfielder took one touch to control and another to play a defence-splitting pass seeking out the run of Sam Sharrock-Peplow, but Rose was quick off his line to nullify the threat and clear upfield.
The Young Terriers were duly rewarded for their perseverance in the first half courtesy of a moment of quality from McCamley (pictured above) on the half-hour mark. A searching ball from the right of halfway located McCamley on the edge of the area, who exquisitely flicked over the head of Saddlers defender Joe Foulkes with his left foot and then, without the ball touching the surface, emphatically volleyed in with his right to ensure town lead at the break.
However, the hosts chalked off Town’s earlier advantage just seconds after the restart. Jack Nolan received the ball 25-yards from goal and cut inside onto his left foot before arrowing into the top right corner of Nicholas Bilokapic’s net.
The home side spurned a glorious opportunity to gain the advantage moments later when Nolan’s corner fell to the feet of a Walsall trialist, but he was unable to divert his effort on target from close range.
Town reclaimed their advantage via captain Mustapha Olagunju. Sharrock-Peplow drove forward on the left wing, skilfully beating his man and delivering a low cross across the face of goal where Olagunju was waiting to tap in.
Sharrock-Peplow continued to have an impact on proceedings and won a penalty three minutes from time when he was clumsily brought down as he advanced into the area. The winger stepped up to take the resulting penalty, which was saved well by Rose, before McCamley followed up to score the rebound and notch his second of the afternoon.
Walsall netted a late consolation in stoppage time as second half substitute Jayden John capitalised on a mistake at the back by Town, but the Young Terriers took the points in their opening Central League Cup fixture of the season.
Town’s Under-19s (4-3-3)
Nicholas Bilokapic; Jaheim Headley, Mustapha Olagunju (c), Tom Bamford, Josh Okpolokpo; Ernaldo Krasniqi (David Adewoju, 77’), Myles Bright, Rio Connell (Darnel Baxter-Alleyne, 67’); Sam Sharrock-Peplow, Kian Harratt, Will McCamley
Unused sub
Gulutte Zunda
Scorers
Will McCamley 30’, 88’; Mustapha Olagunju 65’