Winning run comes to an end
Town U21s' four match winning run was brought to an end by Birmingham on Wednesday afternoon.
The Blues ran out 3-1 victors after an excellent first half display at Canalside Sports Complex. Koby Arthur, Reece Hales and Peter Lovenkrands all notched in the first half as Town failed to bounce back from the 3-1 half-time score line.
The Terriers’ response in the second half was excellent and had it not been for a couple of superb saves from Birmingham stopper Callum Preston the score line could have been different.
The conditions were tricky at Canalside with the wind causing Town problems during the early stages. The visitors settled well and opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Koby Arthur’s right footed shot took a deflection and wrong footed Lloyd Allinson in the Town goal.
The Terriers almost forced an equaliser minutes later when Joel Lynch saw his low effort well saved, but the defender was at fault in the 23rd minute when he lost possession to Reece Hales who blasted the visitors into a two goal lead.
Oliver Lee hit the side netting for the away team before Town had the ball in the back of the net, but Matt Crooks was deemed to have been offside.
Arthur forced Allinson into a low save before Town gained a footing in the game when Godwin Abadaki spun his marker and scuffed home from 12 yards.
With the wind in their backs Town would have been happy to have gone in at half-time just a goal behind, but that wasn’t to be. With three minutes remaining a Town clearance was deflected out wide via the referee and Peter Lovenkrands had the easiest of finishes to slot home the low cross.
The score line was slightly harsh, but Town hadn’t been good enough.
A superb passing move in the 53rd minute ripped through the heart of Birmingham and sent Chris Atkinson in the clear who failed to hit the target from the edge of the area.
Crooks and substitute Duane Holmes went close before Birmingham’s stopper produced a fine save to deny the former’s header from Jordan Sinnott’s cross. From the resulting corner Town forced a scramble and saw another effort blocked on the line.
Town continued to throw bodies forward, but it was in vain as Birmingham held firm to bring to an end the Terriers’ recent winning streak.
Town’s team (4-4-2):
Lloyd Allinson; Robbie McIntyre (Israel Johnson, 72), Joel Lynch, Tom Clarke, Tom Smith; Matt Crooks, Dale Hopson (Duane Holmes, 62), Jordan Sinnott, Chris Atkinson; Max Leonard, Godwin Abadaki
Unused substitutes:
Paul Mullin, Ed Wilczynski
