Under-19s face defeat in an away game against Bradford City

- Bradford City 4-1 Huddersfield Town U19s
- Goal from Hazeem Bakre
- Two goals either half for Bradford City the difference

Huddersfield Town’s Under-19s fell to defeat away against Bradford City in the EFL Youth Alliance League game on Friday afternoon.

The Young Terriers were unable to match Bradford City in a 4-1 defeat this afternoon at Bradford (Park Avenue).

In the first 5 minutes of play Bradford City were 1-0 up after a mistake in defence resulted in an own goal for Town, giving the hosts an early advantage.

Eager to reprimand their mistake, the U19s were packed with energy and took a hold of the game aiming to put the hosts back a foot – taking a majority of the possession in attempt to equalise. Soon after, a chance came in for Town when Omari Mrisho sent a great cross into the box but unfortunately it was blocked.

Interplay in the middle from the U19s was excellent as they managed to fight off an attack and maintain possession of the ball.

However, their efforts fell short as Bradford managed to solidify their lead before half time with another goal in the 37th minute after a successful cross by Dylan Youmbi from the corner of the box allowed Rakealan Jeffers to half-volley the ball into the back of the net.

This didn’t deter the Young Terriers as Dan Vost and Cian Philpott worked hard to regain possession in the attacking half, fighting to break through the hosts back line. They sent the ball to Omari Mrisho who crossed into the box, but it went out for a goal kick.

The U19s came back out after the break eager to level the scoreline, and in the 47th minute Fope Deru sent a lovely cross into the box, but it went into the arms of Heath Richardson in goal.

This wouldn’t be Town’s only meaningful attack as a glorious chance was given to Hazeem Bakre who tapped the ball into the back of the net following a fantastic cross from Omari Mrisho in the 66th minute.

Just as the Young Terriers looked to be back on track Bradford were able to regain their two goal advantage with another finish from Jeffers in the 70th minute.

Town made a couple of substitutions in hopes of bringing the game back, with Dylan Helliwell and Isaac Acquah coming on in place for Cian Philpott and Connor Falls.

Bradford were awarded a penalty late on which led to them gaining a 4-1 lead and Jeffers completing his hat-trick in the 84th minute. This didn’t take motivation away from our U19s and they continued to fight until the final whistle was blown.

Town’s Team (4-2-3-1)
Francis Hurl; Omari Mrisho, Freddie Fletcher, Archie Sheppard, Fope Deru (c); Temi Okuwa. Dan Vost; Michael Stone, Cian Philpott (Dylan Helliwell, 74’), Conor Falls (Isaac Acquah, 77’); Hazeem Bakre

Unused Sub
Sam Taylor

Goal Scorer
Hazeem Bakre (66’)