Huddersfield Town’s Elite Development Team produced a defensively resolute performance to earn another valuable point in the Central League as they drew 0-0 with Morecambe Reserves behind-closed-doors at PPG Canalside.
Three members of Danny Cowley’s First Team featured for Danny Schofield’s EDT side on Tuesday afternoon. Joel Coleman, Jaden Brown and Herbert Bockhorn helped the Young Terriers to produce an assured defensive display against an experienced Morecambe Reserves side.
Chances were few and far between in the first half, but it was the visitors who managed to manufacture the first significant opening of the half courtesy of Kevin Ellison. The 41-year-old forward received the ball in a pocket of space inside the Town penalty area but dragged his left-footed effort wide of the mark.
Town responded by creating an opportunity of their own when Josh Austerfield released left-back Brown in an advanced position on the left-flank. Brown delivered a low cross towards Tim Akinola, who was arriving at the back post, but the stretching forward was unable to get on the end of the cross.
Brown was involved again moments later when his deflected attempt fell invitingly to Sam Sharrock-Peplow on the edge of the box. The winger swiftly manipulated the ball into a shooting position and released a shot which flew just wide.
Coleman produced an outstanding save to ensure that the score line remained goalless going into half-time. Morecambe purposefully broke forward and looked destined to take the lead but for the intervention of Coleman, who dived to his left to claw an effort out of his top right corner.
Malik Dijksteel and Kieran Phillips replaced Ilounga Pata and Brown in the second half as Town looked to take the game to the visitors. The substitutions almost paid dividends when Will McCamley located Phillips at the far post, who controlled with composure under pressure and released a convincing effort with was matched by the goalkeeper to deny Town the lead.
Phillips came close again when he turned well in the area, but his shot was deflected, which took the sting out of it, and the ball looped comfortably into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Huddersfield Town EDT (4-2-3-1)
Joel Coleman; Jaden Brown (Kieran Phillips 62’), Herbert Bockhorn, Mustapha Olagunju (C), Ilounga Pata (Malik Dijksteel 47’); Josh Austerfield, Jaheim Headley; Sam Sherrock-Peplow, Tim Akinola, Will McCamley; Kit Elliott
Unused subs
Jacob Chapman
