Goalless draw to start the Premier League Cup Group Stage
- Huddersfield Town Elite Development Team draws with Sunderland
- Young Terriers create several chances, but cannot capitalise
- Further Premier League Cup games to follow
Huddersfield Town’s Premier League Cup Group Stage campaign got under way with a goalless draw against Sunderland at the John Smith’s Stadium on Monday night.
The Young Terriers had an air of control over most of the game but couldn’t find the clear-cut chance that would have been needed to beat visiting goalkeeper Anthony Patterson on the night.
Dean Whitehead’s Elite Development Team has boasted the likes of Josh Koroma and Reece Brown in recent weeks, but they were not in the line-up against the Black Cats. There will still several names that will be recognisable to Town fans including Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Demeaco Duhaney, Herbert Bockhorn and Matty Daly.
Bockhorn played in a more advanced position on the left wing and tested the goalkeeper on several occasions as Town enjoyed most of the possession throughout. His first effort came from a 15th minute free kick that forced the goalkeeper into action and he had several other efforts from outside the area after cutting infield onto his right, only for his eventual shot to be placed too close to the custodian.
Sunderland couldn’t get past the centre back pairing of Edmonds-Green and 17-year-old Mustapha Olagunju in open play, with the pairing looking comfortable in possession and resolute without. Instead, their best chances came through two free-kicks, with Jake Hackett placing one first-half effort wide of target before forcing Australian ‘keeper Jacob Chapman into a save at his near post before the interval.
Town continued to enjoy the ascendancy in the second half, with the athleticism of Ben Jackson – who can play for the Club in the competition during his loan at Stockport County – causing issues down the Sunderland right.
With 20 minutes to go, ever-willing striker Kit Elliott hit the goalkeeper from a narrow angle after beating the offside trap and bearing down on goal from wide on the right.
Duhaney – whose delivery from the right was terrific – soon hit a deflected shot towards goal from range that was just gathered in by the goalie.
Town started to turn the screw with 10 minutes left. First Daly had a side-footed shot blocked well by a defender after some nice build-up play, and then prolific 17-year-old striker Kian Harratt headed over another excellent Duhaney cross at the near post.
Sunderland’s best chance of the game came from a corner in the final minute of normal time, when substitute Cole Kiernan got totally free at the back post – only to place his header tamely at Chapman’s feet.
It was Town who had the final chances in the four minutes of added time, as Daly had another effort blocked before Elliott headed a cross over the crossbar.
Town’s team (4-2-3-1)
Jacob Chapman; Ben Jackson, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Mustapha Olagunju, Demeaco Duhaney; Isaac Marriott (Will McCamley, 86’), Scott High (c); Herbert Bockhorn (Luke Daley, 75’), Matty Daly, Josh Austerfield (Kian Harratt, 70’); Kit Elliott
Unused substitutes
Giosue Bellagambi; Ilounga Pata
Town bookings
Mustapha Olagunju (27’); Josh Austerfield (50’)
Gate
186
