Sorba Thomas made his debut in blue and white
- Young Terriers victorious against Grimsby in the Central League Cup
- Debutant Sorba Thomas bagged two assists
- Goals from Kian Harratt (3), Sam Sharrock-Peplow and Kit Elliott
The Young Terriers recorded an impressive 5-1 victory over Grimsby Town in the Central League Cup at a very wet Canalside on Wednesday afternoon.
Sorba Thomas bagged an assist within seven minutes of his first outing as a Terrier, while Kian Harratt netted a hat-trick to help the home side to victory.
Town began the game well by causing problems on the counter-attack in the opening stages. Thomas found an early opportunity in the second minute as he raced down the left wing before crossing to Harratt across the mouth of the goal, but unfortunately his shot was deflected wide by Grimsby's Joey Hope.
Just five minutes later the duo were successful, helping Town take an early lead. Thomas showed quick feet to find space down the left again to play Harratt in on goal before Harratt slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
The Young Terriers came close to doubling their lead in the 15th minute. A defence-splitting through ball from Brahima Diarra set Harratt up well, however, 'keeper Ollie Battersby raced off his line well to kill the opportunity with a sliding tackle.
Thomas continued to impress as he tested the 'keeper again in the 26th minute. The forward cut inside from the left before firing low towards the bottom left corner only to be denied by the 'keeper's right boot.
Town continued to press for a second goal, finding it before half time. Ilounga Pata was the instigator as he found space to drive down the right before whipping the ball to the near post. Harratt met the ball to tip it across the goal and past the keeper for his second of the game.
The youngsters found their third goal of the game minutes later as Pata picked up his second assist of the game. Sam Sharrock-Peplow was found in space on the right before cutting inside to curl an impressive left footed shot into the far side of the goal from the edge of the box.
The Young Terriers kicked off the second half with the same energy that that they’d had in the first.
Harratt linked up with Thomas once again to claim his hat-trick in the 57th minute. Thomas skilfully worked his way down the left before squaring to Harratt from the near post who couldn't miss from close range.
The visitors found themselves an opportunity to get back into the game when a long ball found Luis Adlard inside the box, but the forward's powerful shot was well saved by Huddersfield stopper Giosue Bellagambi.
The home side were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute as Matty Daly played Kit Elliott through on goal who beat the keeper to the ball before being taken down inside the box. Elliott stepped up and dispatched a powerful shot into the top left corner to find Huddersfield's fifth.
Grimsby reacted well to Town’s final goal by clawing one back in the 78th minute. Harvey Tomlinson was played through on goal, but saw his shot saved by Bellagambi before Adlard slotted home the rebound.
Grimsby grew in presence in the closing stages; however, the Young Terriers were able to see the game out to record an impressive victory.
Young Terriers (4-3-3)
Giosue Bellagambi; Ilounga Pata, Mustapha Olagunju, Josh Austerfield (c), Jaheim Headley; Etienne Camara (Matty Daly, 69'), Brahima Diarra (Nassim Kherbouche, 64’), Micah Obiero; Sam Sharrock-Peplow (Will McCamley, 60’), Kian Harratt (Kit Elliott, 60’), Sorba Thomas
Unused subs
Michael Roxburgh
Scorers
Kian Harratt (7’, 42’, 57’), Sam Sharrock-Peplow (44’), Kit Elliot (72’)
Final Score
Young Terriers 5-1 Grimsby Town
