Young Terriers begin new EFL Youth Alliance season well

- New EFL Youth Alliance season is now under way
- Huddersfield Town Under-19s win at St. George’s Park
- Fope Deru (2), Temi Okuwa & Aaron Ojungu score

Town’s Under-19 side started the new EFL Youth Alliance season in positive fashion on Saturday, performing well in a 4-1 win over Burton Albion at St. George’s Park.

A brace from forward Fope Deru (pictured above), alongside goals from fellow attackers Temi Okuwa and Aaron Ojungu, sealed the victory for George Danaher’s Young Terriers, who played on the front foot throughout the 90 minutes.

This season, Town will not run an Under-17 side, with the new first year scholars instead playing alongside older players in the Under-19s. That allows the likes of 18-year-olds Charles Ondo and Michael Stone to lend their relative experience to 16-year-olds making their competitive debut, such as the four who started on Saturday.

The boys in blue and white stripes started on top, and full back Omari Mrisho had already got in down the right twice before the game’s opening goal in the fifth minute. The move started with goalkeeper Josh Mazfari and this time moved down the left, with centre back Ondo;s outside-of-the-boot pass releasing left back Michael Parker into space. He entered the box before playing a low ball across the face of goal, allowing 17-year-old Deru to slot the ball home at close range.

Town continued to make the running, with midfielders Tom Iorpenda and Daniel Vost dropping deep to help build attacks and wingers Cian Philpott and Michael Stone causing issues by coming infield to receive passes between the lines.

It was fitting that Town doubled the advantage in the 20th minute through 16-year-old Okuwa. Our pressure forced an error in possession on the edge of the Burton box, with Vost winning the ball and finding Temi. Although his first effort was saved, the ball fell to the midfielder, who made no mistake at the second attempt – sending a firm effort across the goalkeeper and inside the far post from a narrow angle.

When Town did have to defend, the players showed great Terrier Spirit to get back. However, the hosts did have chances, with the number nine missing the target when well positioned twice in the opening 45.

The striker missed again as Burton started the second half well and did pull one back in the 49th minute when a cross wasn’t properly cleared, allowing a forward to react fastest and turn the ball home at close range.

However, encouraged by Danaher and coaches Michael Tonge and Neil Bennett, the Young Terriers responded very well. Deru should have restored the two goal advantage in minute 53 after a superb run from Parker, but after doing the hard work in receiving the pass and sidestepping the last defender, he blazed well over the bar.

Deru made no mistake five minutes later to grab his second of the game. Iorpenda won the ball in midfield and his lofted pass released Parker into space; he once again found Deru, who caught the ‘keeper off guard with a low, quickly taken shot that arrowed inside the near post.

Town’s fourth came with 20 minutes left, and once again started with the goalkeeper. Within seven passes the ball had been worked to the right, where Deru put Mrisho into space. He rode the last challenge before driving at goal and squaring to 16-year-old substitute Aaron Ojungu, who swept home from point blank range.

Town’s team (4-2-3-1)
Josh Mazfari; Omari Mrisho, Freddie Fletcher, Charles Ondo, Michael Parker (Joseph Johnson, 75’); Daniel Vost, Tom Iorpenda (c); Michael Stone (Hazeem Bakre, 79’), Temi Okuwa (Aaron Ojungu, 62’), Cian Philpott (Tyree Sanusi, 79’); Fope Deru

Unused substitute
Sam Taylor

Goals
Fope Deru (5’, 58’); Temi Okuwa (20’); Aaron Ojungu (69’)

Booking
Michael Parker (29’)