Bojaj scores in defeat at St. Andrew’s
- Town Under-21s lose at Birmingham City- striker Flo Bojaj scores Town's goal
- Highlights on HTTV on Friday
Huddersfield Town’s Under-21 side was defeated for only the fifth time in the 2015/16 season on Monday afternoon, with hosts Birmingham City coming from behind to win at St. Andrew’s.
Flo Bojaj’s 10th goal of the Under-21 season had given Frankie Bunn’s side the lead at the interval, but two second half goals from the Blues condemned the young Terriers to defeat.
The defeat made no material difference to the Professional Development League 2 North table – Town has already won the league – but Bunn will want his side to finish the regular fixtures with a flourish at Coventry City on Monday ahead of the PDL2 Play-Offs.
Bunn named four Under-18 scholars in his starting line-up and was without the services of Ronan Coughlan (knee) and Jacob Hanson (hamstring), although William Boyle – on a Youth Loan at York City – did start the game.
The first chance of the game fell to the hosts, with former Borussia Dortmund centre back Emmanuel Mbende seeing his effort from a corner blocked by a defender.
Birmingham had a penalty appeal turned down when striker Alex Jones went down the in area soon after, but the home side kept up the pressure and forced Town’s young Irish goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan into a smart low save from Koby Arthur.
At the other end, the Terriers converted their first real chance in the 16th minute. Bunn’s men are always a danger from set pieces and it was no surprise that a corner was the source of the opener; Jack Boyle’s deep delivery being headed down by namesake William for Bojaj to fire into the roof of the net.
Jake Charles saw a 25th minute effort hit Mbende before flying into the outside of the side netting, before Arthur went up the other end to head overage player Mitch Hancox’s cross wide of target.
Hancox saw his shot after a good run blocked well by defender Boyle as the second half got under way before the Terriers had a couple of efforts, with Charles and Jack Boyle forcing home goalkeeper Weaver to push the ball away.
Unfortunately Ryan could do nothing about the Birmingham equaliser just before the hour mark, which saw Arthur turn towards goal and dispatch a powerful left footed effort into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
That goal spurred Birmingham on – and brought Ryan to the fore. His 64th minute save from defender Maxwell’s header was OK, but his 70th minute leap to stop Mbende from heading a point blank effort into the top corner was worthy of any stage.
Sadly Tadhg’s efforts were in vein when 6’ 5” defender Mbende headed a 78th minute winner. Town cleared an initial free kick into the box, but 23 year-old Danish striker Nicolai Brock-Madsen returned the ball and Mbende headed home at the far post.
Jake Charles had Town’s best effort of the closing stages, but his side-footed volley from a deep right-sided cross was saved by the ‘keeper.
Highlights of today’s game will appear on HTTV on Friday.
Town’s team (4-2-3-1):
Tadhg Ryan; Jack Senior, William Boyle, Fraser Horsfall, Danny Kane; Regan Booty (c), Lewis O’Brien; Jake Charles, Flo Bojaj, Jack Boyle; Rekeil Pyke
Unused subs:
Ryan Schofield, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Jamie Spencer, Luca Colville, Cedwyn Scott
Town booking:
Danny Kane (63)
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