Young Terriers progress to group stages of the Premier League Cup

- Town’s EDT side put in an excellent performance against Oxford United
- Goals from Scott High, Jon Gorenc Stanković, Aaron Rowe and Josh Koroma
- Watch reaction from Under-19 Coach Dean Whitehead

Huddersfield Town’s Elite Development Team put in a commanding performance to defeat Oxford United Under-23s 4-0 and progress through to the group stage of the Premier League Cup.

Goals inside the opening eight minutes from Scott High and Jon Gorenc Stanković set the Young Terriers well on their way, before Aaron Rowe and Josh Koroma fired in late goals to seal an impressive victory.

It took Town just three minutes to open the scoring. A sumptuous back heel from Lewis O’Brien found High in acres of space and the Young Terriers captain made no mistake in finding the bottom corner from distance.

Dean Whitehead’s side did not rest on their laurels and doubled the advantage just five minutes later. High’s corner picked out Rarmani Edmonds-Green unmarked at the back-post, he headed back across goal for Stanković who had the simple task of nodding home from under the crossbar.

Town continued to push for a third in the first half and were inches away from finding it when lively winger Koroma turned his full-back inside out, before seeing a shot deflect just wide.

The Young Terriers’ relentless pressing, spearheaded by midfield duo O’Brien and High, prevented the visitors from troubling the Town back four and it was once again the home side who came close to adding another.

Marauding right-back Demeaco Duhaney, who was a constant threat throughout the evening, flashed a dangerous ball across goal which was inches away from finding Kit Elliott.

Koroma provided Town with a constant out ball down the left-hand side and he went close when he collected a delightful cross-field ball from O’Brien, before firing an effort just past the far post.

Oxford’s first attempt on target came 12 minutes into the second half, but Fabio Lopes’ first-time strike was comfortable for Town ‘keeper Joel Coleman.

The visitors showed signs of improvement during the second period, but it was Town who once again went closest to finding a third. Duhaney picked out Elliott in the area, he turned his marker before forcing Max Harris into a good save down to his left.

Elliott again went close to putting the icing on the cake just 10 minutes from time when he controlled Rowe’s cut-back, however his close-range effort rolled just past the post.

Town eventually found that elusive third goal with just five minutes to play. Winger Rowe cut in from the right-hand side, before curling a wonderful effort into the bottom corner.

It got even better for the hosts in stoppage time when Koroma twisted and turned inside the penalty area and fired home to cap a fine performance from Whitehead’s men.

The Young Terriers will now progress through to Group F of the competition, where they will face Liverpool, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic.

Huddersfield Town’s EDT side

Joel Coleman; Jaheim Headley (Sam Sharrock-Peplow 82’), Jon Gorenc Stanković, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Demeaco Duhaney; Scott High ©, Lewis O’Brien; Josh Koroma (Josh Austerfield 90’), Matty Daly, Aaron Rowe; Kit Elliott (Brahima Diarra 87’)

Unused subs

Jacob Chapman, Ilounga Pata

Final score

Huddersfield Town EDT 4-0 Oxford United Under-23s

Scorers

Scott High 3’, Jon Gorenc Stanković 8’, Aaron Rowe 85’, Josh Koroma 90’