Defeat in Central League Cup Northern Final
- Huddersfield Town U19s lose to Carlisle United in Penrith
- Terriers defeated in Central League Cup Northern Final
- Youngsters punished for a poor first half display
Town’s Under-19 side failed to recover from a below-par first half display and subsequent two goal deficit, losing to Carlisle United in the Central League Cup Northern Final.
Town twice fell behind by two goals in a poor first half display and failed to complete the comeback despite improvement in the second 45, despite goals from Micah Obiero and Kit Elliott.
An error set the tone for the opening half, with Luke Daley – playing at centre back – losing possession on the touchline when a pass back to goalkeeper Jacob Chapman was available. That allowed one-time Town Academy striker Cedwyn Scott to break clear and his pull-back caused chaos in the area, with Taylor Charters eventually deflecting a shot home at close range.
Town winger Sam Peplow tried to lead an immediate fightback with a couple of blocked shots, but then another error gave Carlisle a second. On-loan Preston winger Ethan Walker turned inside Brahima Diarra, who was playing at right back, and the 17-year-old Frenchman rashly lunged into a tackle and gave away a penalty. That allowed Scott to step forward and hammer the ball home to double the advantage.
Obiero almost scored an immediate goal upon the restart after charging down the goalkeeper, only to send his shot wide, before Jaheim Headley headed wide from a deep Peplow cross. That spell of pressure eventually told just before the half hour when another Peplow drive was deflected straight to Obiero, who made no mistake against his former loan club with a low drive.
Sadly, Carlisle restored the two-goal advantage minutes later. Town’s ‘keeper Jacob Chapman came for a lofted ball into the area that hung in the wind and Scott won the first ball before placing the ball into the empty net for his second.
Chapman did better with a late shot from Walker, saving well down by his right-hand post.
Danny Schofield and Jon Worthington shuffled the pack for the second half, dropping Ben Jackson and Josh Austerfield into centre back and releasing Diarra into his natural midfield role. Town started to dominate the ball, but also had to be aware of a few good counterattacks from the hosts.
Ayina volleyed a deep corner wide before Diarra blasted narrowly over from 20 yards after good work down Town’s left side. Matty Daly had a shot blocked when he should have pulled the trigger earlier.
Town’s second gave them every chance when it came in the 71st minute. Luke Daley’s cross from the left found its way to substitute Kit Elliott, and the big forward expertly span towards goal before blasting the goal between the goalkeeper and the post.
Sadly, the charge for the equaliser never materialised and, despite having all the ball, the best Town could muster was a hopeful Peplow effort that drifted over the crossbar.
Town’s team (4-3-3)
Jacob Chapman; Ben Jackson, Luke Daley, Loick Ayina, Brahima Diarra; Josh Austerfield (c), Etienne Camara (Myles Bright, 67’), Matty Daly; Jaheim Headley (Kit Elliott, 38’), Micah Obiero, Sam Peplow
Unused subs
Giosue Bellagambi; Nassim Kherbouche, Will McCamley
Goals
Micah Obiero 28’, Kit Elliott 71’
