Mark Hudson’s side wins first pre-season friendly
- Town’s U19s beat Vanarama National League South side
- Olly Dyson scored the winning goal
- Young Terriers overall winners at Brighouse tournament
Mark Hudson’s Under-19s side got off to a superb start to pre-season winning a tournament organised by Brighouse Town.
The competition gave the Young Terriers a physical stimulus as they faced the First Team of Vanarama National League South side Hemel Hempstead in the Final.
The youngsters were due to face Liversedge FC (Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division) in the Semi-Final of the competition, however, the game was cancelled, meaning Town progressed straight into the Final.
Hemel Hempstead beat Brighouse Town (Evo-Stik Northern Premier League) 1-0 in the other Semi-Final, which meant the Young Terriers faced the Vanamara National League South side in the Final at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium on Saturday 21 July 2018.
The games during the tournament contained three 30-minute periods, with roll on roll off substitutes and Under-19s Coach Mark Hudson utilised that to rotate his team during each break, allowing all his youngsters to gain valuable minutes to help their match fitness – a technique also used by First Team Head Coach David Wagner during the early stages of pre-season.
The Final against Hemel Hempstead was the first friendly ahead of the 2018/19 campaign for Town’s Under-19s and the youngsters had to be alert straight away. The Vanamara National League South First Team did well to create an early opening but blazed the ball over the bar.
Just before the end of the first period Olly Dyson - who impressed on loan at both Liversedge and Shaw Lane last season – gave Mark Hudson’s side the lead. The ball dropped to his feet after a scramble in the area and he managed to slot the ball into the back of the net.
The Young Terriers continued to create some openings and defender Harry Spratt had a great chance to double the lead. He was slipped through after a quick Town break but was unable to beat the ‘keeper.
The Vanarama National League side dominated the last 40 minutes of the game and created some big chances, but the young Town side battled and defended well.
With around 10 minutes remaining Hemel Hempstead had its best chance to equalise but Harrison Davison-Hale made a superb stop to deny a fierce effort.
The win meant Mark Hudson’s side was the overall winners of the tournament organised by Brighouse Town.
Team One Starting XI:
Harrison Davison-Hale; Mason O’Malley, Romoney Crichlow-Noble (c), Ben Jackson, Sam Gibson; Scott High, Kie Douglas (trialist); Jordy Hiwula, Olly Dyson, Aaron Rowe; Micah Obiero.
Team Two Starting XI:
Harrison Davison-Hale; Mason O’Malley, Harry Spratt, Sam Gibson, Ben Jackson (c); Dahomey Raymond, Kie Douglas (trialist); Ben Mills, Jordy Hiwula, George Danaher; Kit Elliott.
Team Three Starting XI:
Harrison Davison-Hale; Ben Jackson, Harry Spratt, Romoney Crichlow-Noble, Sam Gibson; Dahomey Raymond, Scott High; Aaron Rowe, Micah Obiero, Olly Dyson; Kit Elliott.
