Resounding win in the Channel Islands for the U21s
- Town's U21s win the Mike Thomas Memorial Trophy- U18 midfielder Luca Colville scores four
- Cedwyn Scott & Olly Dyson also net
Young attacking midfielder Luca Colville took the headlines as Frankie Bunn’s side won the Mike Thomas Memorial Trophy against hosts Guernsey FC on Wednesday evening.
The second year Academy scholar, 17, scored four goals in the Channel Islands as a young Town side – featuring three U18 starters and a further four substitutes – ran out comfortable 6-0 winners.
The Mike Thomas Memorial Trophy was played in honour of Guernsey‘s club physiotherapist. Sadly Mike passed away last May from Motor Neurone Disease, having assisted local clubs and Guernsey representative teams for over 25 years.
Mike was originally from Huddersfield and was a big Huddersfield Town fan, returning to England whenever possible to watch the Terriers.
The funds raised from this fixture - watched by 551 fans tonight - are used to compensate Guernsey’s part-time players, who suffer a loss of earnings when injured.
The Green Lions, who play in the Ryman League Division One South, found it tough going against the reigning U21 Professional Development League 2 champions from the off, with Bunn’s side dominating the ball.
It took 21 minutes for the young Terriers to score the opening goal, with Colville netting his best of the night. The left-footed midfielder played off the right and cut infield before unleashing a stunning curler into the top corner from around 25 yards, leaving the home goalkeeper with no chance.
Town should have been further ahead by the interval, but found a clinical edge in the second half. Within five minutes Colville converted a cross for his second and three minutes later, it was 3-0; Academy striker Cedwyn Scott racing through to score after high pressing caught Guernsey out.
Colville completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute by heading home another cross before Bunn introduced several youngsters on the hour mark. They soon combined, with attacker Dom Tear releasing fellow scholar Olly Dyson through on goal to net in the 66th minute.
It was fitting that Colville grabbed the game’s last goal – and his fourth – to cap off the night in the 75th minute, scoring after the home defence failed to effectively clear left back Harry Clibbens’ cross.
The Green Lions came closest to netting in the 85th minute, but were denied by two excellent goal-line clearances from defender Jacob Hanson.
Highlights of the game will appear on HTTV over the coming days.
Town’s team (4-2-3-1):
George Dorrington (Tadhg Ryan, 46); Jack Senior (Harry Clibbens, 60), Fraser Horsfall (Rarmani Edmonds-Green, 60), Jacob Hanson, Jordan Williams; Regan Booty (c), Jamie Spencer; Sam Warde (Olly Dyson, 60), Jack Boyle (Dom Tear, 60), Luca Colville; Cedwyn Scott
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