Huddersfield Town keeper Alex Smithies was happy to catch up with opposite number Simon Eastwood after the draw with Blackburn Rovers.
The pair both came through Town’s academy and won England junior honours, with Eastwood, at 25, a year older.
Eastwood had a spell as deputy to Matt Glennon before falling behind Smithies in the pecking order.
His sole Town appearance, in the 1-1 League I draw at Leyton Orient on the final day of the 2008-09 season (Andy Booth’s final game), came with Smithies out injured.
Eastwood, who had loan spells at Woking and Bradford City, joined Oxford United on a two-year deal in June 2010.
Having failed to break into the side, he was transferred 12 months later to FC Halifax Town, where he competed with another ex-Town player, Phil Senior, for the keeper’s shirt.
Eastwood was set to start the 2012-13 season at Bradford Park Avenue before being added to a hastily-assembled squad at Portsmouth.
He played 30 times for Pompey before joining up with former Fratton Park goalkeeping coach John Keeley at Blackburn, where he is under contract until the end of next season.
Eastwood’s outing against Town was his 20th for Rovers.
“Simon and I grew up together and I know him well from our academy days,” said Smithies, who faced another former Town teammate in Jordan Rhodes.
“He’s not had it easy because he’s had to drop down before coming back up. But he’s taken his chance at Blackburn.
“I remember seeing highlights of their game against Middlesbrough (a goalless draw in December), and he made save after save.
“I also thought he had an excellent game last Saturday.”
