Young Terriers used the game to build up match fitness
- Town’s EDT drew 1-1 with Sheffield United
- Matty Daly scored the opener
- Young Terriers built up vital match fitness
Huddersfield Town’s Elite Development Team kicked off the New Year with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.
The behind-closed-doors game was organised to give the Young Terriers extra minutes after the Christmas period to prepare them for their upcoming tests.
After a slow start from both sides, the Young Terriers broke the deadlock midway through the second period courtesy of a fine effort from Matty Daly.
Town preserved their lead right up until the fifth minute of added time when the referee awarded the home side a controversial penalty. Jacob Chapman saved the initial spot-kick, but the officials were quick to award the hosts a re-take and at the second attempt, the Blades got themselves on level terms.
Leigh Bromby’s side began the game on the front foot and inside the opening 20 seconds, they went close to breaking the deadlock. A neat one-two between Kian Harratt and Josh Koroma ended with the latter forcing the goalkeeper into a comfortable save.
Following the early sighting of goal, both sides struggled to find any sort of rhythm with clear-cut chances few and far between. The home side should, however, have taken the lead when an excellent ball across the face of goal was somehow steered wide from close-range.
On the stroke of half-time, the Young Terriers thought they had taken the lead. A low ball in from Koroma was spilled by the ‘keeper into the path of Harratt, who fired an effort towards goal which was then tapped home by Aaron Rowe. After much deliberating from the officials, they eventually adjudged it to be offside to ensure the two sides went in level at the break.
The Blades began the second half in the ascendancy and were close to opening the scoring when Chapman was forced into a fine save with his feet, before the following corner resulted in an effort crashing against the crossbar.
Despite that scare, moments later the Young Terrier should have found themselves in front when Harratt headed wide an inviting delivery from substitute Will McCamley.
Just two minutes later Town did find an opener. McCamley was in the thick of the action, once again, as he cut the ball back for Daly who curled a first-time effort exquisitely into corner.
Following the concession, the Blades began to fashion openings but a string of excellent saves from Town ‘keeper Chapman preserved the youngsters’ one goal lead.
With the hosts pushing on for a leveller in the final 10 minutes, Bromby’s side were beginning to cause problems on the counter attack and twice had the ball in the net courtesy of Koroma and Harratt, but just like in the first-half, the linesman’s flag frustrated the away side.
Town will feel they should have sealed the game in the second minute of stoppage time when Sam Sharrock-Peplow’s low ball across the face of goal was diverted against the post by Harratt.
In the fifth minute of added time, the Blades eventually found their route back into the game. The referee adjudged Chapman to have fouled a Sheffield United attacker in the area and pointed to the spot.
The Australian ‘keeper saved the penalty, but a re-take was awarded, which was this time dispatched to ensure a share of the spoils.
The match was a vital one for the fitness of the Young Terriers ahead of the upcoming matches.
Huddersfield Town (4-2-3-1)
Jacob Chapman; Luke Daley (Jaheim Headley 46’), Mustapha Olagunju (Nassim Kherbouche 53’), Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Ilounga Pata 76’), Demeaco Duhaney (Tim Akinola 76’); Josh Austerfield (Trialist 46’), Scott High (C); Josh Koroma (Sam Sharrock-Peplow 84’), Matty Daly, Aaron Rowe (Will McCamley 53’); Kian Harratt
Unused sub
Giosue Bellagambi
Final score
Sheffield United 1-1 Huddersfield Town EDT
Scorer
Matty Daly (61’)
