Young Terriers put in complete performance in Doncaster win
- Huddersfield Town Under-17s display promising signs against Doncaster
- Young Terriers 2-0 victors on fantastic day for the Club
- Conor Falls and Ernaldo Krasniqi on scoresheet
Huddersfield Town’s Under-17s played their part in a successful day for the Club with a 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers at Canalside on Saturday morning.
The Young Terriers went into the match with one eye on their next Clarets Cup fixture in midweek, and Under-17s Coach George Danaher put pressure on his side to come away with a result.
This method of build-up paid off as his side put in a complete performance at Canalside on Saturday.
Town got off to a strong start, creating chances and effectively holding their defensive line high up. The early pressure resulted in a goal midway through the half, when Conor Falls tucked away an opportunity after a successful team press.
The visitors looked to push back before half time, although Michael Roxburgh made two saves to keep the lead in-tact heading into the break.
In the second half the focus was on game management. On the hour mark the Young Terriers were awarded a penalty for a handball in the area, with Ernaldo Krasniqi dispatching the spot kick to double Town’s lead. From then on, the focus was on shutting out their opponents.
Doncaster managed to strike the post from a headed effort late on, however, the young side, featuring a number of trialists, managed to do their jobs effectively and hold for a well-deserved win.
Afterwards, George Danaher was full of praise for his side and their performance.
“I thought it was a great game for what we were practicing.
“We changed the style and the way we play to win the game – don’t get me wrong these games are great for development and I’m keen to push players to try and experiment in these games – but today as we’re coming towards the back end of the season, we put a real challenge on ourselves to try and perform and win the game.
“When we create chances, we look to get people in positions where one, they’ll score goals, but two, have enough players around the ball to win it back should we need to. Today, I think the reactive pressure was fantastic, we were able to sustain the attacks really well, and that goes for everyone throughout the team.
“That first goal was a fantastic example of this – it showed exactly what we’re about. As a Coach I’m really pleased, for the lads to go and do that was excellent.
“Game management was another objective from the outset, and especially in terms of managing the lead when we went ahead, I think we were excellent.
“It’s something that the young lads need to learn because at First Team level it’s incredibly important. We will continue to put these types of challenges on the youngsters and see how they react, but today they passed a massive test in terms of game management.”
Danaher also highlighted the impact of the trialists that came on in the second half.
“They were fantastic. I think it can be hard coming into a new club, but they’ve come in, settled well and played matches. I can tell already that they’re listening and concentrating to everything I’m saying.
“That shows from their performances on the pitch where they’re coming on and impacting games, which at 16 years old is excellent.”
Huddersfield Town U17s Team (4-3-3)
Michael Roxburgh; Charles Ndwuisi-Ondo, David Adewoju (Michael Parker, 58’), Josh Okpolokpo (c), Brodie Spencer; Donay O’Brien-Brady (Michal Stone, 58’); Ernaldo Krasniqi, Sonny Whittingham (Dylan Heliwell, 58’); Evander Grubb (Fope Deru, 58’), Conor Falls, Neo Eccleston (Cian Philpott, 58’)
Scorers
Conor Falls 25’, Ernaldo Krasniqi 60’
Final Score
Huddersfield Town Under-17s 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
