UNDER-19s & UNDER-17s IN ACTION ON SATURDAY

23 November 2018

Come down and watch Mark Hudson’s side at PPG Canalside

- Under-19s and Under-17s in action on Saturday
- Mark Hudson's U19s host Norwegian side Drammen FK
- Dean Whitehead's U17s travel to Grimsby Town

David Wagner’s First Team may not play until Sunday, but Huddersfield Town’s Under-19 and Under-17 sides are both in action on Saturday morning.

Mark Hudson will lead an Under-19 team against touring Norwegian side Drammen FK at Town’s PPG Canalside training complex (509 Leeds Road, Huddersfield, HD2 1YJ).

The game will kick-off at 11am on one of the pitches over the canal, with fans welcomed to come and watch free of charge!

Meanwhile, Dean Whitehead will lead the Under-17 side in the latest game of the U18 Youth Alliance League against Grimsby Town. The game will also kick-off at 11am, taking place at Grimsby’s Cheapside Training Ground.

Hudson explained that Saturday’s game will be an opportunity for some of the Under-19s to show what they have learned during their first stints in senior football:

“On Saturday, we’ll give some of the players who have had fewer minutes than their teammates the chance to get time on the pitch.

“We’ll also bring back some of the players who have been out on work experience in senior football. I’m looking for them to make an impact on the pitch and to show us the improvements they have made through lessons learned away.

“Drammen FK frequently tour the UK and tend to have a few youth internationals in their ranks, so it promises to be a good test for our players.”

Meanwhile, Whitehead wants Town’s younger players to stick to the game-plan that they have come up with against the Mariners.

“The Under-17s are still being challenged by playing against older players, but you can see they are getting more competitive now.

“They’re in the third phase of their learning now, so we’ve challenged them to watch Grimsby and come up with the game-plan for the team using what they know.

“They’ve done that well, so now I want to see them apply that plan properly tomorrow. It’s still the performance we’re looking for first.”

You’ll be able to follow updates of the action on the Town Academy’s official Twitter account - @htafcacademy.

Match Reports

REPORT: TOWN U19s 1-3 DRAMMEN FK

24 November 2018

Useful game for several Under-19 players

- Much-changed Under-19 side plays Norwegian side Drammen FK
- Important minutes on the pitch for several Young Terriers
- Striker Kit Elliott nets penalty for Mark Hudson’s side

Several of Mark Hudson’s Under-19 players got important minutes on the pitch on Saturday morning in a game against an impressive touring side.

Although the Young Terriers were defeated by Norwegian visitors Drammen FK on the day, the game was useful for the likes of trialist goalkeeper Luka Nakov, defender Jake Barrett and striker Kit Elliott, who all needed minutes; the latter two after recent injuries.

Hudson’s youngsters lined up in a 3-4-3 formation on the afternoon against the impressive tourists, who took the lead through the first attack of the game inside just 35 seconds. Centre back Jordan Eli couldn’t quite cut out a ball forward and the deflection allowed the attacker to get in front of Mason O’Malley. He advanced on Nakov before placing the ball home.

There was plenty of possession for Hudson’s men, but it was the visitors who threatened again inside 10 minutes when a wide free-kick cannoned off the crossbar.

Nakov had to be alert later in the half to stop a near own-goal from Eli, ensuring it was Town that got on the scoresheet next.

Some good pressing from Town forced an error from the Drammen right back, allowing the Terriers to release winger Aaron Rowe into the box. The Londoner was brought down going past the last defender, allowing striker Elliott to step forward and dispatch the penalty.

Unfortunately, the game only stayed level for four minutes. The visitors retook the lead from a wide free-kick, with the Drammen players breaking Town’s high offside line and beating the goalkeeper at close range.

Town continued to enjoy lots of possession without creating a clear-cut chance, before being punished for an error in the final quarter of an hour. Romoney Crichlow-Noble gave up the ball on halfway and Drammen countered with clinical precision, with the right winger looping a shot over the goalkeeper and into the corner.

Town’s best effort of the second half came with five minutes remaining as forward Micah Obiero turned infield and curled a long-range effort into the hands of the visiting custodian.

Town’s team (3-4-3)
Luka Nakov (trialist); Jordan Eli (Romoney Crichlow-Noble, 63’), Harry Spratt (c), Jake Barrett; Mason O’Malley, George Danaher, Dahomey Raymond (Dom Tear, 67’), Sam Gibson; Aaron Rowe, Kit Elliott, Ben Mills (Micah Obiero, 77’)

Unused sub
Luke Mewitt