Eyre’s side impress, but lose 2-1
Senior Professional Development Coach Steve Eyre described today’s behind closed doors friendly at Premier League Everton as a ‘fantastic contest’.
Town’s side lost the game 2-1 thanks to a goal scrambled in from a corner in the final minutes, but the players could hold their heads high after a great performance against a very strong Toffees team led by manager David Moyes and including the likes of Phil Neville, Sylvain Distin, Tony Hibbert, Leon Osman, Victor Anichebe and Ross Barclay.
The game, designed to get many of Town’s squad members minutes on the pitch, was competitive from the first whistle and the Terriers had to weather a very strong start from the hosts; reshuffling the pack and keeping the shape well.
It looked like Eyre’s side had managed to get into the game, only for Everton to take the lead just before the interval when Nigerian international striker Anichebe pulled the ball back for midfielder Osman to fire home.
However, the second half swung in the favour of the Terriers, who controlled possession and created a number of chances. Substitute Anton Robinson looked to have been brought down in the penalty area only for the referee to award a free-kick and right back Tom Clarke managed to pick out new boy Adam Hammill in the area, who guided the ball across the goalkeeper for his second goal in a week.
Robinson was denied when put through on goal after the equaliser and Kallum Higginbotham had a 25 yard free-kick tipped over the bar by the Everton custodian, but in the final stages of the game Everton grabbed the win when Magaye Gueye scrambled home at a corner.
Senior Professional Development Coach Steve Eyre told htafc.com:
“This was a fantastic contest held between two sets of senior professionals; it was played at a full-on intensity in a healthy environment.
“The facilities at Finch Farm (Everton’s training ground) are great and the pitch was amazing.
“The real positive from our perspective is that we picked up no injuries and everyone got time on the pitch. I’m really delighted with everyone’s attitude towards the game and we’d like to thank David Moyes and Everton for setting the game up with us.”
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Nick Colgan; Calum Woods, Murray Wallace, Anthony Gerrard, Tom Clarke; Adam Hammill (Matt Crooks 80), Scott Arfield (Jordan Sinnott 80), Chris Atkinson (Anton Robinson 46), Kallum Higginbotham; Alan Lee (Scott Kay 65), Jimmy Spencer
