Amazing game in London ends all level
- Under-21s come from behind four times to draw
- Duane Holmes scores a brace in London
- Other goals from William Boyle, Flo Bojaj & Sondre Tronstad
An amazing Professional Development League 2 game saw Town’s Under-21s come from behind on four separate occasions to draw 5-5 at Queens Park Rangers on Monday afternoon.
Midfielder Duane Holmes continued his superb personal record against Rangers at all levels by netting a brace, with the other goals coming from William Boyle, Flo Bojaj and Sondre Tronstad.
Frankie Bunn’s side had no overage players in it, but hosts QPR took advantage of the ruling; naming three overage players in the form of Canadian winger Junior Hoilett; Mali international midfielder Samba Diakite and former Town man Oscar Gobern.
Town’s side did feature both defender William Boyle and forward Jake Charles, who are allowed to play for the Development Squad by the terms of their youth loans to Macclesfield Town and Guiseley respectively.
Inevitably it was former Town midfielder Gobern who opened the scoring to the put the hosts ahead at Imperial College, London, inside the 10th minute, but barely a minute later the Terriers levelled when centre back Boyle converted a corner.
The dangerous Hoilett restored Rangers’ lead with an 18th minute free-kick, but six minutes later the Terriers levelled again; Irish striker Ronan Coughlan won possession and set Town away on a counter-attack, which was finished off by Duane Holmes.
Hoilett converted a cross from the right flank to put Rangers ahead once more in just the 28th minute and when former Monaco player Axel Prohouly made it 4-2 just five minutes later, capitalising on a loss of possession from Philip Billing, it looked like the game might have been getting away from Town.
However, striker Flo Bojaj reduced the arrears in the 49th minute to continue his hot scoring streak; the 19 year-old has already netted seven times through pre-season and the first two league games.
Unfortunately, Academy scholar Jacob Hanson – recently named on the First Team bench for the Capital One Cup game against Notts County – was punished for a mistake in Town’s penalty box in the 56th minute, with Hoilett sealing his hat-trick.
The game remained 5-3 to the hosts for half an hour, only for Bunn’s men to complete a comeback in the final few minutes. Midfielder Holmes has a history of starring against Rangers at both Under-18 and Under-21 level and he netted his second of the game through an 87th minute free-kick before fellow midfielder Sondre Tronstad, a second half substitute, netted in the final seconds to secure a point for his side.
Highlights from this amazing game will appear on Town’s YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/officialhtafc - on Tuesday!
Town’s team (4-4-2 diamond):
Ed Wilczynski; Jack Senior, William Boyle, Joe Wilkinson (c), Jacob Hanson; Philip Billing (Ben Holmes, 73), Regan Booty, Duane Holmes, Jake Charles (Liam Coogans, 80); Flo Bojaj, Ronan Coughlan (Sondre Tronstad, 68)
Unused subs:
Sam Guthrie, Fraser Horsfall
