Young Terriers will take a lot from midweek friendly
- Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield Town U19s
- Good and bad from Young Terriers against elite side
- George Danaher’s side will learn lots from the game
The Huddersfield Town Under-19 players will have taken a lot from a game against one of the country’s best young sides on Tuesday afternoon, having faced off against a Manchester City Academy side.
Coach George Danaher’s side made the relatively short journey west to take on City’s youngsters and showed some very promising signs, but will also have learned valuable lessons against a predictably clinical opponent.
Town had the first effort of the game, with skipper Michael Stone testing the goalkeeper with a curling effort from around 20 yards out having received a good pass between the lines from centre back Michael Parker.
City’s first shot, in the 10th minute, was easily saved by goalkeeper Michael Acquah, but the speed of the move will have given Town a taste of what they were up against.
Danaher’s side had their fair share of possession in the opening stages, allowing left back Joseph Johnson to test the goalkeeper again soon after.
The Young Terriers got away with one in the 13th minute when right back Omari Mrisho gave away a penalty with a trip, only for the City player to rattle the crossbar with his spot kick.
However, that effort preceded the home side’s best period of the game, with the men in blue taking control of the ball. Town defended their box gallantly but were finally beaten on the half hour.
Ironically, that came immediately after a great Town move. Centre back Freddie Fletcher found Stone in space behind the City midfield once again and he had many runners to find, but his attempted through ball was intercepted – and the hosts sprang impressively. With Town players stranded up field, City worked the ball quickly into the Town box, where a forward sent a low, deflected shot past Acquah.
To their credit, Town responded well. Creative midfielder Hakeem Sandah had a couple of efforts from range before Stone sent a cracking shot mere inches wide of the post following some great play from midfield colleague Temi Okuwa.
At the other end, Acquah had to be alert to produce two fine saves before the half ended.
Unfortunately, the game’s crucial second goal went the way of City just three minutes into the second half. Acquah made a good initial save with his feet, but the home side kept the ball alive and gave him no chance with the follow-up.
Again, Town defended fairly well thereafter, only to be beaten again with 20 minutes left when a fantastic cross from the right took out the men in black and allowed a City player to slide home.
Town’s character came to the fore late on and the Young Terriers finished strongly. First midfielder Dan Vost’s pass that would have sent Mrisho clear was only marginally overplayed, and then we had the ball in the back of the net – only for the trialist’s goal to be ruled out for an offside given against striker Hazeem Bakre in the middle.
The Under-19s have a big few days ahead now. They enter the prestigious FA Youth Cup at the Third Round stage when the draw is made on Friday at 1pm, and then host Scunthorpe United in the EFL Youth Alliance at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex on Saturday at 11am. Fans are allowed to come and watch for free!
Town’s team (4-2-3-1)
Michael Acquah; Omari Mrisho, Freddie Fletcher (Archie Sheppard, 73’), Michael Parker, Joseph Johnson (Ajay Weston, 73’); Temi Okuwa (Dylan Helliwell, 61’), Daniel Vost; Hakeem Sandah, Michael Stone (c), Tyree Sanusi (Trialist, 61’); Hazeem Bakre
Unused sub
Francis Hurl
Final score
Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield Town U19s
Don’t forget that the B Team host reigning champions West Brom in the Premier League Cup at the John Smith’s Stadium on Friday! Click HERE for more info. We’d love to see you there!