A mix of Town’s U23s and U18s feature against Ossett Albion
- Town’s Academy drew 2-2 in a friendly away at Ossett Albion
- Game used to give youngsters different tests and experiences
- Mix of Under-23s and Under-18s play for Leigh Bromby’s side
Huddersfield Town’s Academy drew 2-2 in a friendly against Ossett Albion at the Our Physio Stadium on Tuesday 21 November 2017.
The match was organised to give the Young Terriers new experiences of playing on Tuesday nights under floodlights, in front of a crowd, against men who have a more physical style of play and in different facilities.
Not only that but the game also gave some of Town’s Under-16s – who will receive scholarships prior to the 2018/19 season – some extra minutes and allowed them to gel with some of the youngsters they will be playing with next season.
Two trialists also featured for Leigh Bromby’s mixed aged side. 18 year-old defender Russell Carter-Thompson started at centre-back and 17 year-old Aaron Rowe started in the number 10 role.
A number of Town’s youngsters who had picked up injuries throughout the season were also able to gain valuable match fitness ahead of future Professional Development League games.
The starting line-up selected by Professional Development Coach Leigh Bromby contained three Under-23s (Tadhg Ryan, Olly Dyson and Cedwyn Scott), three Under-18s (Oran Thompson, Sam Gibson and Dahomey Raymond), three Under-16s (Tom Bamford, Josh Austerfield and Remi Thompson) and the two trialists named above.
Ossett Albion created a number of early chances in the friendly. Young ‘keeper Tadhg Ryan produced a one handed save to deny Matt Dempsey before pulling off an incredible double save to deny the midfielder and Ross Hardaker moments later.
The Unicorns continued to keep the young Irish ‘keeper busy with Ryan saving at the feet of Lebrun Mbeke shortly after.
Leigh Bromby’s young side enforced the Terriers Identity on the Ossett Albion First Team and despite not creating many meaningful chances, grew into the game.
Despite this and just after half-time, Ossett Albion took the lead. A deflected cross from Bates was guided past Ryan by the head of centre-back James Hurtley.
Albion’s Scott Metcalfe had a good chance to double the lead after he broke the offside tap but put his effort wide of Ryan’s goal.
The Young Terriers continued to develop during the match and drew some good saves out of former Town Academy ‘keeper Owen Brooke before eventually finding an equaliser.
17 year-old trialist Aaron Rowe, who can play on the wing or in the number 10 slot, fired in a rebound in the 58th minute after Brooke saved an earlier effort.
The goal inspired the youngsters who took the lead in the 75th minute through Cedwyn Scott. The striker, who recently returned from injury, ran through one-on-one with Brooke and placed the ball into the back of the net.
However, with just three minutes remaining Ossett Albion drew level. A misunderstanding from a Town free-kick saw substitute Danny Blacker run straight through on goal and fire the ball past a helpless Ryan.
TOWN'S STARTING LINE-UP (3-4-2-1):
Tadgh Ryan; Tom Bamford, Oran Thompson (c) (Scott High, 46’), Russell Carter-Thompson; Sam Gibson (Ben Jackson, 46’), Josh Austerfield, Dahomey Raymond, Olly Dyson (Matty Daly, 46’); Aaron Rowe (Dom Tear, 70’), Remi Thompson; Cedwyn Scott
UNUSED SUBS:
Luke Mewitt, George Danaher, Isaac Marriott, Micah Obiero
