Four goals gave Young Terriers away win
- Young Terriers ran out winners against Stockport County
- Second half goals secured Town’s victory
- Goals from Josh Austerfield, Sam Peplow, Ernaldo Krasniqi, Kit Elliott
The Young Terriers twice came from behind to beat Stockport County 4-3 with a much-improved second half display at Carrington Training Complex on Thursday afternoon.
Josh Austerfield and Sam Peplow both netted equalisers in a relatively poor first half showing from Town.
However, goals from Ernaldo Krasniqi and Kit Elliott were enough in a better second period, which also saw County score late to create a nervy ending.
County had the game’s opening chance, breaking through on goal inside three minutes, only to be thwarted by Jacob Chapman, who spread himself well to deflect the effort over the bar.
The home side then took the lead with a powerful effort from the edge after eight minutes, as they took advantage of their early dominance.
Moments later, trialist Aaron Pilkington was required to sprint from right wing-back to the far post to block a rifled effort from Stockport’s burly forward after he got the right side of Nassim Kherbouche.
Town rarely threatened in the first half, but benefited from a moment of brilliance from Kit Elliott, which helped the visitors draw level.
Elliott superbly brought down Chapman’s goal-kick before spinning his man and being sent through on goal by Matty Daly. Elliott forced the ‘keeper into a save down low, but he could not hold onto the shot, allowing Austerfield to pinch the loose ball and roll it into an empty net.
Just before the half-hour mark, County regained the lead with a well-worked team goal.
The Young Terriers, however, drew level 11 minutes later through forward Peplow.
The leveller again came through Elliott’s hard work, as the forward chased down a lost cause and kept the ball in play before pulling it back to Peplow, who stroked home.
Town ended the half well, and continued their progress into the second period, as they looked to stay level-headed, and not succumb to County’s dogged tactics.
Despite this, however, it was the home side who enjoyed the opening efforts of the second half. But they saw both opportunities flash across goal and wide on the counter.
Chapman then produced a magnificent save to turn the ball behind on the hour, with the following corner being headed over.
From that point, though, Town took control of the game, going ahead thanks to a spectacular effort from Krasniqi, who found the top corner with his left foot from 25 yards.
Five minutes later, Elliott provided the Young Terriers with some breathing space, linking up well with Daly before rifling the ball under the goalkeeper’s dive.
Elliott almost had a second just after, carrying the ball from deep and running goal-wards. But the final effort was stroked wide of the near post.
Town slightly took their foot off the gas, allowing Stockport to create a nervy ending, as they scored a third from a corner.
The home side then struck the face of goal, with just two minutes remaining, after benefitting from a rare Crichlow lapse in concentration on the edge.
In stoppage time, Stockport thought they had found their equaliser at the death; however, the linesman raised his flag and ruled the goal out for offside and the Young Terriers came away with the win.
Young Terriers Team (3-5-2)
Jacob Chapman; Josh Okpolokpo, Nassim Kherbouche, Romoney Crichlow; Aaron Pilkington, Josh Austerfield (C), Matty Daly, Ernaldo Krasniqi (Brahima Diarra, 66’), Will McCamley; Sam Peplow, Kit Elliott
Unused Substitutes
Nicholas Bilokapic, Etienne Camara, Loick Ayina, Sonny Whittingham, Luke Daley
Scorers
Josh Austerfield (18’), Sam Peplow (37’), Ernaldo Krasniqi (66’), Kit Elliott (71’)
Final Score
Stockport County 3-4 Young Terriers
