Midgley and Falls goals see B Team return to winning ways
- Huddersfield Town B Team win against Salford City
- Ben Midgley and Conor Falls score in 2-0 win
- Young Terriers return to winning ways
Goals from Ben Midgley and Conor Falls in the first half, as well as a penalty save from Michael Roxburgh after the break, secured the win for the Huddersfield Town B Team against Salford City.
The Young Terriers looked very organised throughout the game at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex, strong in defence when they needed to be combined with being smart when they pushed forwards and attacked.
The first half was dominated by our eager B Team as they dominated the game and kept possession well, allowing Ben Midgley and Conor Falls to score both telling goals inside the first 45 minutes.
The opening chance for the Terriers came shortly after kick-off as possession was kept well and Midgley crossed the ball into the box and found Falls, but his effort was saved by Joel Torrance.
Following that move, it was our defenders turn to stand strong as Alfie Henderson’s shot from outside the box was blocked, with the Terriers then going on the counter-attack. This resulted in the woodwork being hit twice in quick succession, as Myles Bright had his chance and hit the right post and then Connor Shanks went for the rebound but then hit the bar and Salford City remained in the game after two very good chances.
Ernaldo Krasniqi soon sent Donay O’Brien-Brady free on the right, who then crossed the ball into the box and found the head of Falls, but this was anticipated well by Torrance and saved.
Defender Shane Maroodza had his own chance to put Town into the lead moments before the opening goal was actually scored, as a Town corner was headed back towards the centre of the box and volleyed just wide by the full back and out for a Salford goal kick.
Town’s first goal came in the 21st minute after Midgley won back the ball high in the attacking third, following the goal kick taken by Torrance. Our captain drove the ball into the Salford area and fired past the opposing ‘keeper to put the Terriers in front.
Our opponents had a chance to equalise almost immidately, but their shot from the edge of the box was blocked well by Loick Ayina.
Liam Humbled then fancied his chances against Nicholas Bilokapic, also from the edge of the box, but the Australian ‘keeper read it well and made the save comfortably.
The second goal for the Terriers came in the 30th minute as Falls doubled the lead with a fantastic header and diverted O’Brien-Brady’s cross into the top corner.
Salford tried to get one back just before the break as Kelly Nmai wanted to make the second half closer for his side, but his shot went straight to Bilokapic.
The second half saw the Devils work hard to try and get past the Town defence, but our Young Terriers stood strong to keep the clean sheet and secure the win.
Djavan Pedro was the first to try and get one back as he took the ball into the box, but his shot was just wide of the Town goal.
Eager to find the back of the net, Salford pushed forwards again and crossed the ball into the Town box, but substitute ‘keeper Michael Roxburgh punched the ball away from danger.
Not wanting to lose their hold of the game, Tom Iorpenda sent the ball to Shanks, who carried the ball to the edge of the box and took his shot – but this went just high and over the bar.
Towards the end of the game, Salford were awarded a penalty after Ayina was adjudged to have made a foul in the box. Pedro stepped up form the penalty spot but Roxburgh made a brilliant save to keep the clean sheet for the Terriers.
Town’s team (4-2-3-1)
Nicholas Bilokapic (Michael Roxburgh, 46’); Neo Eccleston, Loick Ayina, David Adewoju, Shane Maroodza; Ernaldo Krasniqi (Sonny Whittingham, 46’), Ben Midgley (c) (Tom Iorpenda, 49’); Donay O’Brien-Brady, Myles Bright (Michael Stone, 41’), Connor Shanks; Conor Falls (Charles Ondo, 80’)
Goals
Ben Midgley (21’); Conor Falls (30’)
