Youngsters' understanding of Terriers Identity increasing
- Under-17s show deeper understanding of Terriers Identity
- Young Terriers apply learnings from training against Port Vale
- Leigh Bromby impressed with steps forward from the players
Town’s Under-17 players came off the pitch knowing they had executed the game plan well at Port Vale on Saturday, according to Academy Manager Leigh Bromby.
The Young Terriers, playing against older opposition in the U18 Youth Alliance Cup, have been applying the ‘Deep Fight Zone’ that they’ve been working on in training for the last three weeks and, despite a 2-1 defeat on the day, showed a good understanding of the system.
“The players knew that, despite the result, they had done what we’ve been working on and asked of them on Saturday,” Leigh told htafc.com.
“With the ball, we played on the pitch and dominated throughout the entire game. Credit to our three midfielders – Jaheim Headley, Tom Bell and Josh Austerfield – who were excellent on the day.
“Striker Kian Harratt deserves credit too, as he scored when he was nursing a very sore back as we had brought all three substitutes on already.
⚽️ Here's goal number nine for the season from #htafc Under-17 striker @KianHarratt at Port Vale this weekend!
— HTAFC Academy (@htafcacademy) October 8, 2018
The forward tucked home a great low delivery from right back @AlfieriGeorge, who made his return from a recent injury as a second-half substitute.#YoungTerriers (DTS) pic.twitter.com/5qGNe8T9Nv
“On and off the ball, the players kept their structure very well too. Our passing, and the patience we showed, allowed us to create a lot of chances and we should have scored more goals.”
The hard work will continue for the Young Terriers this week ahead of Saturday’s Youth Alliance League match at Lincoln City, with Leigh looking for consistency, application and improved levels of concentration from the players.
“We need to back Saturday’s performance up with another good one this weekend, which they players have been doing more consistently of late. We should aim to consistently dominate possession against the opposition in our way.
“That challenge will get progressively harder, as opponents will watch our previous performances and try to press us high. However, the players have recently shown the confidence to stick to the plan and play through that.
“Concentration is still a big learning point for us, but that’s to be expected. A high number of our players have come from grassroots football and are still becoming accustomed to the rigours of the professional environment and the ability to focus in every second on the pitch and in training. We’re getting punished for errors right now, but they’re getting fewer and fewer and you can see the improvement.”
Mark Hudson’s Under-19 side is back in action on Wednesday afternoon, welcoming a Rochdale side to PPG Canalside for a 1pm kick-off.
Town’s U17 team vs Port Vale (4-2-3-1)
Giosue Bellagambi; Sam Sharrock-Peplow, Mustapha Olagunju, Nassim Kherbouche (Seth Meeson, 46’), Mohammed Diaby (George Alfieri, 46’); Tom Bell, Josh Austerfield (c); Remi Thompson (Andrew Ijiwole, 46’), Jaheim Headley, Darnell Mintus; Kian Harratt
Final score
Port Vale 2-1 Huddersfield Town U17s
Scorer
Kian Harratt, 65’
