Tough test for Huddersfield Town’s B Team

- Town B were beaten 3-2 by Boston United
- Youngsters learn lessons from National League North side defeat
- Mustapha Olagunju and Jaden Brown were on the scoresheet

Huddersfield Town’s B Team were defeated 3-2 by National League North side Boston United in their first game on home soil on Saturday afternoon.

Town trailed by two early goals but recovered from their poor start to half the deficit through the head of Mustapha Olagunju shortly before the break. Jaden Brown then completed the comeback from the penalty spot with half an hour to play to leave the game in the balance.

It was, however, Boston who scored that elusive fifth goal, as Thanoj punished a Town error at the back to secure the visitors’ victory.

The away side stamped their authority on proceedings early on and took a two goal lead inside the opening six minutes. Set pieces were Town’s downfall as Jordan Burrow glanced in the first, before Pilgrims captain Luke Shiels headed home an Andi Thanoj free-kick for the second.

Town began to work their way back into the match following their difficult start and fashioned their first opening through the persistent play of Kieran Phillips. The Young Terriers striker battled his way through the Boston defence, before seeing his shot on the turn well saved.

Phillips again displayed his work-rate for the hosts and was almost rewarded for his desire on 25 minutes. He charged down a clearance from United ‘keeper Peter Crook but unfortunately for Town, the ball cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.

Danny Schofield’s side eventually found their route back into the game 10 minutes before the break. Ben Jackson’s free-kick from midway inside the Boston half was powerfully headed home by centre-back Olagunju, who notched his second goal of the week after finding the net for the Under-19s at Walsall on Tuesday afternoon.

Town picked up from where they left off following the interval and should have levelled the scores almost instantly. Some neat play in midfield set Patrick Jones free down the right and his cross picked Phillips at the back-post but he was unable to steer his effort on target.

The visitors, however, were still posing a threat of their own on the counter attack and went close to restoring their two goal lead through Thanoj, who curled an effort towards the far corner that smashed off the base of the post.

The Young Terriers then got themselves level on the hour mark. Jaheim Headley’s shot was adjudged to have been handled in the area and captain for the afternoon Brown coolly sent the ‘keeper the wrong way.

Town’s parity did not last long, though, and just six minutes later the away side regained their lead. A mix-up at the back allowed Thanoj to pounce on a loose ball at the edge of the area and his shot had too much power for Pereira.

Huddersfield Town B line-up

Joel Pereira; Jaden Brown (C) (Myles Bright 73’), Mustapha Olagunju, Demeaco Duhaney, Aaron Rowe (Brahima Diarra 45’); Ben Jackson, Josh Austerfield; Pat Jones, Matty Daly, Jaheim Headley; Kieran Phillips (Kian Harratt 61’)

Unused subs

Nicholas Bilokapic, Loick Ayina

Scorers

Mustapha Olagunju (34’), Jaden Brown (60’)

Final score

Huddersfield Town B 2-3 Boston United