Boothy primed now to press!

Jan 31 2008 by Huddersfield Sport, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

BOOTHY PRIMED NOW TO PRESS!

ANDY BOOTH and James Berrett both came through Town Reserves’ defeat to Coventry City unscathed and are available for Saturday’s first-team trip to Yeovil.

Two goals from Donovan Simmonds (26mins and 70) and a thunderbolt from Aaron Griffiths (88) ensured the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

Booth, who went on as a late sub in Tuesday’s home win against Bournemouth, played 45 minutes in his comeback from a groin and back injury which has kept him out four matches.

Berrett, who also played the first half in order to maintain match sharpness, had the first shot on target after 15 minutes and his speculative 30-yard drive forced a decent save from keeper Daniel Ireland.

Berrett and teenage trialist Leon Quarless (from Walsall) were involved in Town’s best moves.

A neat one-two on the edge of the box with Booth allowed left midfielder Quarless to fire in a left-foot strike which warmed the hands of the keeper.

The 18-year-old was inches away from scoring just after the half-hour as Berrett found Daniel Racchi in space. When he fired the ball across the six-yard box Quarless just failed to get a touch.

On the stroke of half time, Quarless was again in the thick of the action, latching onto a deep cross from Berrett to volley straight at the keeper.

Daniel Broadbent went on for Booth and Daniel Codman replaced Berrett, meaning Tom Clarke moved up into midfield, and he appeared to enjoy the freedom, hitting a low right-foot shot from 25 yards, forcing another quality save from Ireland.

Town struggled to find rhythm in the second half in front of manager Andy Ritchie and the watching Ian Dowie, Brian Horton and Peter Jackson.

Town – Smithies, Hardy, Jackson, Bailey, T Clarke, Killock, Racchi, Young, Booth (Broadbent HT), Berrett (Codman HT), Quarless. Subs not used: Eastwood, Roberts, Pickering.