Young Terriers gave complete performance
- Huddersfield Town’s Under-17s faced Mansfield Town
- Conor Falls bagged a brace for the Young Terriers
- George Danaher pleased with side’s performance
A young Huddersfield Town’s Under-17s showed their ‘Terriers Identity’ on the pitch when they played Mansfield Town on Tuesday afternoon.
It was the visitors who started the game well, taking the lead in the sixth minute. An excellent cross from a Mansfield forward was collected by their winger and slotted past the right of Nicholas Bilokapic.
Town responded well to the threat and found several chances throughout the first half, including a shot from Conor Falls that just slipped wide of the left post.
The Young Terriers came out for the second half ready to build on their chances and got themselves back into the game in the 50th minute. Right back Neo Eccleston provided Falls with the ball after dribbling to the dead ball line, and the forward made no mistake in slotting it into the top corner of the net.
The youngsters continued to pile on the pressure and dominate proceedings for the final 40 minutes.
Their persistence paid off in the closing minutes of the game. Falls headed clear a Mansfield corner, with Evander Grubb able to win possession of down the left touchline. Falls broke forward from the resulting defensive header and was played through on goal by Grubb to give Town the win.
Under-17s Coach George Danaher was delighted with his side’s performance.
“I think it was the complete performance in terms of what we’ve been working on and also the ‘Terriers Identity’.
“I think the players performed to a standard that I was really proud of and the game itself was a really good opportunity for the players to really show their ‘Terriers Identity’ and perform to a high level.”
Danaher was particularly pleased with the win, having seen his side fall behind in the opening minutes.
“The mentality of the players to come from behind to equalise and then go on to win is fantastic.
“I think sometimes for young players in games, goals can affect them and I think today even when the goal went in we continued to perform in the way that I would like the players to perform and it’s something that the players should be really pleased with.”
The Under-17s side that played against Mansfield was a particularly young side, including three Under-16 players come on as trialists, something Danaher admitted he was impressed with.
“It’s fantastic and a credit to the programme.
“We’re trying to get young players to play in the Under-18 games and challenge the Under-17s to play in the Youth Alliance League. I think it’s a great challenge.
“The confidence those younger players can take from that game is massive. They can believe in themselves and believe that they can easily play in any Under-18s team and further.”
The youngsters are back in action on Saturday 13 March 2021 when they host Rotherham United at Canalside.
“Hopefully Saturday will be a repeat performance!" George concluded.
“The players put in a really good account of themselves out there today and also there might be a few changes in terms of personnel for Saturday. I hope in terms of performance it’ll be very similar to the one that we’ve seen today.”
Town’s Under-17 Team (4-3-3)
Nicholas Bilokapic; Donay O’Brien-Brady, David Adewoju, Josh Okpolokpo (c) (Michael Ailemen, 60’), Neo Eccleston; Michael Stone (Dylan Helliwell, 75’), Sonny Whittingham, Brodie Spencer; Evander Grubb, Conor Falls, Charles Nduwuisi-Ondo (Lil Jordan Rey Francisco, 61’)
Unused Sub
Robson Shipley
Scorer
Conor Falls 50’, 87’
Final Score
Huddersfield Town Under-17s 2-1 Mansfield Town
