Carr scores in defeat for Development Squad
Two mistakes cost Town’s Development Squad dearly at the John Smith’s Stadium on Monday afternoon as Sheffield United ran out as 2-1 winners in the Professional Development League 2 North.
Clinical finishing from the young Blades punished Frankie Bunn’s side despite a dominant second-half performance, with two counter-attacks being put away with aplomb.
Town started with two overage players in the side in Joe Lolley and Radoslaw Majewski, whereas Bunn also fielded a trialist; 20 year-old Irish left back Anthony O’Donnell.
With Manager Chris Powell and many of the First Team squad watching on from the stand, the trialist’s poor 10th minute pass allowed United to open the scoring – with striker Jamie McDonagh finishing smartly to cap off the quick break.
Striker Flo Bojaj should have restored parity in the scoreline from Majewski’s 17th minute corner but headed his effort too close to the goalkeeper from close range, whereas midfielder Matt Crooks beat the goalkeeper to Radi’s free-kick later in the half only to miss the target with a flicked header.
After a scrappy opening 45 minutes, the introduction of Jake Charles and Sondre Tronstad in the second-half led to a dominant half for Town in terms of territory, but chances will still few and far between. Winger Lolley was the stand-out for the Terriers, with his quick feet and direct style of play a constant menace to the United back line.
Sheffield substitute Jake Wright went close with a great shot from the angle on the break just after the hour mark that went inches wide of Lloyd Allinson’s far post
Duane Holmes – one of Town’s better performers on a cold afternoon – spurned a big chance thereafter; having outpaced the last defender to latch onto Philip Billing’s header, he drew the goalkeeper but slipped his low shot just wide of target.
With Town applying all the pressure, another breakaway cost them dearly. Winger Joel Coustrain led the counter and played a great ball into the box for striker Wright to control, but Allinson should have kept out the low shot that somehow squirmed past him and into the net.
Town were given a lifeline barely a minute later when substitute Daniel Carr volleyed Holmes’ chipped cross past the goalkeeper and looked to have capitalised with two minutes left, but somehow Carr and then Charles both saw efforts blocked from inside the six yard box by a combination of goalkeeper and defender.
Town’s team:
Lloyd Allinson, Joe Wilkinson, Anthony O’Donnell (Sondre Tronstad, 46), Duane Holmes, Joe Wright, William Boyle (c), Radoslaw Majewski (Jake Charles, 46), Philip Billing, Joe Lolley, Flo Bojaj (Daniel Carr, 78), Matt Crooks
Unused subs:
Ed Wilczynski, Ben Atkinson
