Extra time win sees Development Squad progress
Huddersfield Town’s Development Squad progressed to the 2014/15 Professional Development League 2 Play-Off Final on Tuesday afternoon after winning an all-action, end-to-end semi-final over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Frankie Bunn’s side took the lead on four separate occasions in the eight goal thriller, but it took extra-time to separate the two sides.
The Under-21s will now face either Nottingham Forest or Swansea City in the final, who face off in the second semi-final on Wednesday evening.
The Terriers started on top and scored inside seven minutes when first year Academy scholar Jack Boyle bent a 20 yard free-kick into the top corner courtesy of a deflection off the underside of the crossbar.
Both goalkeepers - Lloyd Allinson and Chris Kettings – made saves before Flo Bojaj shot inches wide from 18 yards out before the Palace ‘keeper made a tremendous double save to keep out Jack Senior and then goalscorer Boyle just after the half-hour mark.
Palace grew into the half and equalised after applying pressure in the 39th minute when midfielder Kyle De Silva cut infield from the flank and beat Allinson with a powerful low effort.
The same player hit the post barely three minutes later and the sides went into the interval level.
Town retook the lead in the 55th minute when Sondre Tronstad finished off a good move by powering a shot between the goalkeeper and the near post, but 15 minutes later Da Silva scored his second of the game after a goalmouth scramble.
Duane Holmes smashed the ball home from close range to make it 3-2 to Town with just five minutes remaining, only for substitute Sullay KaiKai to take the game to an extra 30 minutes deep into added time with a comprehensive finish.
In extra time, substitute Jake Charles stole the show for Town. Coming off the bench upon his return to fitness after a recent injury, the Welsh winger converted a low cross in the 104th minute before grabbing a second in the dying seconds. With the Palace goalkeeper venturing forward for a late corner, Jake collected the clearance and sprinted the length of the pitch before side-stepping the final defender and slotting home.
htafc.com will have comments from Frankie Bunn on Tuesday, with match highlights being uploaded to www.youtube.com/officialhtafc too!
Town’s Under-21 team:
Lloyd Allinson, Joe Wilkinson (c), Jack Senior, Sondre Tronstad (Jake Charles), Joe Wright, William Boyle, Duane Holmes, Philip Billing, Jack Boyle (Ronan Coughlan), Flo Bojaj, Rekeil Pyke (Danny Kane)
Unused substitutes:
Ed Wilczynski, Regan Booty
