Huddersfield Town Under 18s eased through their third round tie in the FA Youth Cup 2-0 against Crystal Palace at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Goals by Jack Boyle in the 24th minute and Rekeil Pyke in the 59th sealed the win in front of 190 fans to put Town into the hat for the fourth round, writes Steven Downes.
Tony Carss, who is in charge of the team, said: “I think the team performance was very good.”
The game began scrappily as both teams seemed to be just testing each other out and finding their opponent’s weaknesses.
Town’s defence held strong, and the young Terriers knew they would cause trouble for the Palace defence.
Town’s midfield really started to tick with Boyle pulling the strings with some impressive passing and Jamie Spencer protecting the back line with a number of good tackles.
Carss explained his delight about Town’s midfield, saying: “We competed well in midfield and retained the ball well under pressure too, which we wanted to do.”
Town opened the scoring with a lovely goal, Pyke skilfully evading his opponent and crossing the ball to Boyle just outside the box, and he drove home his fourth goal in seven starts this season from the 18-yard line.
Pyke couldn’t convert a superb chance moments later as the Palace keeper mis-kicked the ball, putting his effort wide.
The Palace keeper made a superb save 10 minutes to the break as Adam Porritt powered a shot towards goal which was tipped around the right hand post.
After the break both teams had early chances with Town’s Regan Booty whipping a delightful free kick just past Palace’s far post.
Pyke and Boyle were involved again as Town grabbed their second goal on 59, with Boyle turning provider and sliding a great ball through for Pyke to finish smartly with his seventh goal of the campaign.
Both teams had plenty of chances in the second half, with Town’s impressive winger Boyle having a final chance in the closing minutes when hitting a powerful drive towards goal – but a good save stopped Town grabbing a third.
Carss explained: “Players who go on to have good careers put in performances when it matters – and the FA Youth Cup is a big stage for these lads.”
Town: Tadhg Ryan; Brad Carroll (c), Fraser Horsfall, Jacob Hanson, Nathaniel Pells; Regan Booty, Jamie Spencer; Jack Boyle, Ronan Coughlan, Adam Porritt (Liam Coogans, 84); Rekeil Pyke. Subs not used: Owen Brooke, Danny Kane, Dylan Cogill, Sam Warde.
