Under-15 striker Pyke nets consolation
Huddersfield Town’s Under-18 side were defeated 4-1 at home by League leaders Nottingham Forest at Canalside Sports Complex in their latest U18 Professional Development League 2 fixture.
Forest had scored three goals without reply at the interval, but substitute Rekeil Pyke – a striker in the under-15 category – netted a second half consolation for the home side.
Town started brightly, with midfielder Duane Holmes heading a Jake Charles corner just wide inside the opening two minutes, but top of the table Forest soon took control and opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Wilfried Gnahore bent his free kick over the wall and into the corner.
Ben Holmes then slid in to connect with a cross from striker Paul Mullin only to see his effort fly over the crossbar as Town looked for an equaliser, but instead Forest made it 2-0 in the 20th minute when Aristote Amisi Kamaneno scissor-kicked a cross home.
Duane Holmes fired wide again for Town soon after before ‘keeper Ed Wilczynski denied Forest a third with an excellent save from the visitor’s winger in the 25th minute.
Forest winger Thomas did make it 3-0 with 10 minutes before the interval, powering home between Wilczynski and the near post – and Town’s opponents still had time to hit the post before the much-needed interval arrived for the young Terriers.
Both goalies pulled off great saves at the start of the second period - Wilczynski tipped a shot over the bar before Mullin’s effort was fisted away by the visiting custodian – but on the whole Town had started the half much better.
Tall centre back Will Boyle headed two free-kicks just wide of the post just after the hour mark before substitute Pyke – on debut – headed another chance inches wide of the woodwork soon after.
Under-15 striker Pyke was not to be denied though and in the 66th minute he latched onto a through-ball before dispatching the ball confidently past the ‘keeper to reduce the deficit.
Town pressed hard for a second, but the game was put to bed in the 81st minute when Jordan Palmer-Samuels lobbed Wilczynski.
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Ed Wilczynski; Mikey Starkey, Joe Wilkinson, William Boyle, Thomas Briggs; Jake Charles, Duane Holmes, Kedesh Goddard (Ryan Cox 46), George Conway (Rekeil Pyke 59); Ben Holmes (Danny Morton 85), Paul Mullin
