Coughlan and Wilkinson complete fightback
Town’s Under-21s came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena in the final Professional Development League 2 North game of the season this afternoon.
Jake Carroll was the only overage player on display for Frankie Bunn’s side, which also fielded two Academy scholars from the start; second year Academy scholar Liam Coogans made his Under-21 debut, whereas fellow U18 player Fraser Horsfall made only his second start.
Bunn also fielded Callum Charlton, a teenage winger on trial from local side Brighouse Town. This was his debut at Under-21 level after a start and three substitute appearances for the Under-18s.
Coventry enjoyed a good first-half and went into the interval two goals to the good, albeit the strikes were initiated by Town mistakes.
A loss of possession inside Town’s half in the 27th minute led to a Coventry trialist setting up former West Ham player Blair Turgott before things went from bad to worse just four minutes later; the trialist seized upon a week back-pass before beating Town ‘keeper Lloyd Allinson.
Bunn introduced another Academy scholar, striker Ronan Coughlan, for the second 45 minutes and he scored just before the hour mark to give his side hope. Trialist Charlton’s cross was headed back across goal by striker Flo Bojaj for the young Irish forward to convert from close range.
Town continued to press and it bore fruit with just two minutes of normal time remaining when a corner was scrambled home by defender Joe Wilkinson.
Highlights from the game will appear on the Club’s YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/officialhtafc - on Friday.
The young Terriers were already guaranteed a second placed finish in the northern table ahead of today’s game, with the most likely Play-Off semi-final opponent from the southern section being Crystal Palace away; this is still to be confirmed pending the Eagles’ final game of the season.
Full details of the Play-Off semi-final – which will be away – will follow in due course on htafc.com.
Town’s team:
Lloyd Allinson, Joe Wilkinson, Jake Carroll, Duane Holmes, Fraser Horsfall, William Boyle, Sondre Tronstad (Brad Carroll, 90), Callum Charlton (Ben Atkinson, 84), Liam Coogans (Ronan Coughlan, 46), Flo Bojaj, Philip Billing
Unused subs:
Sam Guthrie, Nathaniel Pells
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