Young Terriers win an action-packed game!
- Huddersfield Town Under-19s 4-3 Harrogate Town
- Young Terriers three goals up at half time
- Thompson & Tonge’s side show resilience with 10 men
Our Under-19 side came out on the right side of a seven goal thriller on Saturday morning, defeating visitors Harrogate Town 4-3 in the EFL Youth Alliance at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex.
Having failed to score despite a good performance during the midweek 1-0 defeat at Burton Albion, Oran Thompson and Michael Tonge’s side were in free-scoring form during the opening 45 minutes, putting four past their opponents.
However, a late first-half red card changed the dynamic of the game and the Young Terriers had to show a different skillset in the second 45 minutes to secure all three points.
The boys in blue and white enjoyed most of the ball in the first half and took the lead inside 14 minutes when striker Danny Isaac won the ball in the centre circle and immediately played Hazeem Bakre through on goal with a fantastic through pass. Bakre made no mistake, advancing to 15 yards out before smashing a right-footed shot between the goalkeeper and his left-hand post.
It was 2-0 only four minutes later, with Town taking advantage of a wide free kick won by Aaron Ojungu. Midfielder Dan Vost played a great ball to the back post for centre back Anthony Gregory, who stooped to head past the goalkeeper at close range.
Bakre and trialist Joe Nicholson had both had efforts saved before the third came in the 34th minute thanks to some great skill from Hazeem. Having played a one-two with Isaac close to the right touchline, the forward drove infield and straight through the Harrogate defence before dinking the ball over the advancing goalkeeper in fine style for his second of the game.
Harrogate got one back almost immediately from kick-off, although goalkeeper Alex Walpole was unlucky to see his great save come to nothing when the ball ricocheted back off the forward and into his net.
However, the Terriers restored their three goal lead in the 41st minute. Bakre won the ball just inside the opposition half, allowing Vost to set wing back Nicholson away down the right; his pull back was swept home by Isaac six yards out.
Unfortunately, Town’s free-flowing style of play was dealt a blow a minute later when Bakre was sent off for his reaction to being fouled twice in close succession, with the forward appearing to react in front of the referee.
Despite this, Town’s coaches stuck to their plan of taking off three of our most senior players just 10 minutes into the half, with three Under-16 players coming on in their place. The young players fared well and when they were breached, goalkeeper Walpole twice came to their rescue with fine saves in the 57th and 70th minutes.
At the other end, sub midfielder Marlie Neil sent a free kick from the edge of the box just over the crossbar after a foul on Isaac.
When Harrogate finally did score, sub goalkeeper Hugo Bennett – brought on for a taste of the action – could do nothing about it, with a shot from just inside the area flying through a crowd of players.
Bennett made one brave low save as the minutes ticked down to prevent Harrogate getting back into the game, although they did net a third from a corner with the final action of the game.
Town’s team (3-4-3)
Alex Walpole (Hugo Bennett, 78’); Omari Mrisho (Luke Schofield, 55’), Anthony Gregory, Freddie Fletcher; Joe Nicholson, Dan Vost (Mo Fikri, 55’), Dylan Helliwell (c) (Marlie Neil, 55’), Ben Morrison; Hazeem Bakre, Danny Isaac, Aaron Ojungu
Town goals
Hazeem Bakre (14’, 34’); Anthony Gregory (18’); Danny Isaac (41’)
Town booking
Alex Walpole (65’)
Town red card
Hazeem Bakre (42’)
