Defeat in competitive game at PPG Canalside
The Development Squad were defeated by visitors Sheffield Wednesday in the Professional Development League 2 North at PPG Canalside on Wednesday afternoon.
Frankie Bunn’s side, which featured a trialist in former Rochdale and Bury left-sider Tom Kennedy, fell to a goal in each half from the Owls.
Wednesday opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Town’s first year Academy scholar Regan Booty slipped on the touchline, allowing Jack Stobbs to advance down the touchline; when his low cross came in, experienced Wednesday midfielder Rhys McCabe got across returning left back Jake Carroll to meet the ball and finish past a helpless Lloyd Allinson.
The Terriers found it hard to break down the visitors during the rest of the half, with the only fleeting looks at goal coming through set-pieces; centre back Joe Wright heading two difficult chances off target.
At the other end Simon Hanna shot straight at Allinson after cutting in from the flank, but in truth the goal was the only real opportunity.
A double change from Bunn during the interval precipitated a much improved showing from his young side in the second-half, but ultimately Town needed to score when the big chances came – and didn’t.
Striker Flo Bojaj made a real difference to Town, with his willing running down the side of the centre backs and hold-up play giving the team a different dimension. He forced away goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith into a smart near post save just five minutes after coming on and linked up well with teammates throughout.
However, it was the visiting team that doubled its advantage in the 54th minute. Hanna found space in the middle of the park and skipped a reckless challenge from Wright before advancing to the edge of the box and sending a smart low drive past Allinson’s right side and into the bottom corner.
By many measures midfielder Duane Holmes was the standout player on the pitch, but after creating the best chance of the game he couldn’t capitalise to get his side back into the game just after the hour mark. After playing a smart pass into the feet of Bojaj, he made a great third man run to collect the return ball and break clear of the defence – but he hit the goalkeeper with his side-footed effort before sending the rebound over.
Despite the miss, Holmes caught the eye with many penetrating drives from midfield and some crisp passing.
Wright headed another corner over with quarter of an hour remaining before Ben Holmes and Booty had routine shots saved, with Town ending the game without a goal that their second-half display probably deserved.
Highlights from the game will appear on www.youtube.com/officialhtafc on Thursday.
Town’s team:
Lloyd Allinson, Joe Wilkinson, Jake Carroll (Ben Atkinson, 68), Duane Holmes, Joe Wright, William Boyle (c), Sondre Tronstad, Philip Billing (Ben Holmes, 46), Tom Kennedy, Rekeil Pyke (Flo Bojaj, 46), Regan Booty
Unused subs:
Sam Guthrie, Fraser Horsfall
