Friday 14 April 2023

Scunthorpe United (U18s) 2-0 Huddersfield Town (U18s)

Scunthorpe United (U18s) 2-0 Huddersfield Town (U18s)
EFL Youth Alliance
Friday 14th April 2023

One thing I love to bits about this Scunthorpe United youth team is the lads’ willingness, desire, drive and determination to roll their sleeves up, graft, and work relentlessly (even in the most challenging of circumstances) and all their very best attributes were on show in this game as they beat Huddersfield Town.

At the end of a few weeks where the SUFC Academy has been in the spotlight so much, this was a performance that everyone associated with the club can be proud about.

Amidst a torrential downpour from near enough the first minute until the last which was relentless and probably the worst I’ve seen anywhere for a good few seasons, the Iron produced another ‘gutsy’ performance which they should be buzzing about - not just because they took three points but also because they battled right to the end to register a clean-sheet thanks in no small part to Josh Murtagh who pulled off two or three class saves!

In fairness, Huddersfield certainly gave a much better account of themselves than they did in the last meeting in January when they got smashed 5-0 - and this game was in the balance for a long while, but once Scunny went 1-0 up through Harrison Poulter, there was only ever one team who looked like scoring again and it wasn’t a surprise when Jake Harman slotted home a second to seal the points late on.

Now in the Merit League following the completion of the regular-season campaign, there was no doubt that Huddersfield were keen to avenge that 5-0 humiliation, and they actually started positively, had an early chance when Fope Deru fired over, and they eventually forced Murtagh into his first save around the 20-minute mark with Ben Pike making a block and clearance in his own six-yard box during another spell of pressure.

But Scunthorpe - always a team I enjoy watching because of their characteristics which are so admirable - were the side who just about showed more intent; mixing it up with some problematic balls over the top in the first half (shout-out to Ben Pike and Harry Elliott-Bell on their good distribution) and nice bits of play on the deck as the rain really started to lash down on Glanford Park.

Charlie Burden-Whittleton caused problems up top and when Ben Pike’s inch-perfect floated ball over the top reached him - and he stayed onside, he wasn’t quite able to find Harrison Poulter in the centre. Unlucky! Poulter himself also had one excellent run where he put the defender on toast by accelerating directly at him and reaching the byline (and Bambi just didn’t know what to do) before his cut-back came to nothing. Then, Poulter had a shot which went narrowly wide around the half-hour mark, whilst Charley Strouther tested the Huddersfield ‘keeper with a near-post effort and Lucas Dickinson put a header on target in an earlier chance!

Harry Elliott-Bell, wearing the unfamiliar No.11 shirt, also played a great ball over the top towards the edge of the area which almost caused problems for the visiting ‘keeper who had to rush off his line and deal with it in another move where Scunny signaled their intentions.

All that said, Huddersfield got on top in the five minutes or so immediately before half-time and a spell of pressure nearly resulted in a goal. 

With Scunthorpe pushed back deep into their own box and struggling to get out, someone in a claret and blue shirt made a challenge before Josh Robertson then made a block from a follow-up shot. The resulting loose ball went to Temi Okuwa on the edge of the area whose effort looked as if it was turned onto the post by Murtagh before the rebound fell to Cian Philpott (I think) who somehow sliced the ball wide from about six yards out.

Phew… and so it remained 0-0 somehow!

Still in lashing rain, Huddersfield had a handful of shots in the early stages of the second half. The first from Hakeem Sandah was routine for Murtagh, the second went into the side-netting, and then the next one (by which point the rain was seriously hammering down) was palmed by Murtagh with Ben Pike on-hand to mop up the danger before anyone in a black shirt could react. Excellent reactions from both lads when the conditions could have easily led to a mistake!

With the energy and tempo of the game growing really nicely at this point - and Huddersfield clearly on top and going close once again with a ball that flew at head height across the six-yard box, Harry Elliott-Bell offered some respite and almost swung the momentum right in Scunthorpe’s favour. Just a minute or so after he unleashed a speculative shot which went over, when Charlie Burden-Whittleton slipped him through for another chance, the odds seemed stacked in HEB’s favour - only for him to see his attempt charged down by the on-rushing Terriers ‘keeper.

Another shot by a Huddersfield player cleared the upright on 66 minutes and almost immediately, Scunthorpe got in-behind at the other end only for Burden-Whittleton (good strength) to be wrestled to the floor with nothing coming of the resulting set-piece.

How it was still 0-0 at this point was a mystery - especially as Murtagh made his best save yet by showing quick reactions to get in the way of an attempt right on his goal-line and keep things goalless but within seconds of that chance, Scunthorpe transitioned in devastating style as they turned defence into attack; moving the ball forward quickly and aggressively with an advancing Harrison Poulter being found through the middle (not sure who got the assist - sorry lads) from where he rounded the ‘keeper to slot home.

BOOM! At last a goal, thoroughly deserved - and by one of the main talismen in the North-East Youth Alliance this season! Harrison. Poulter. Scores. Goals.

Lucas Dickinson took a knock during the build up to the goal and had to be substituted but it was clear and obvious that breaking the deadlock had galvanised Scunthorpe and given them so much confidence because they totally dominated the latter stages.

Poulter would have made it 2-0 on the back of some fine link-up stemming from Burden-Whittleton and then Jake Harman, only for the Huddersfield ‘keeper to pull off a miraculous diving save in which he somehow also managed to palm the ball over the upright for good measure. Unreal technique and one that will end up in his clips for definite!

However, it didn’t matter because soon enough it was 2-0 with Harman perfectly positioned at the far-post to steer the ball home after Charley Strouther did the hard work and found him in acres of space to claim the assist.

Huddersfield had no answer by this point. They looked beaten, were beaten, and even with the three points in the bag, there was a gritty undertone of resilience and determination about Scunthorpe’s play to ensure they got the clean-sheet too.

On the whole, it was a fantastic result - and the perfect way to start the new Merit League campaign where points earned will be added to the regular table.

Yes, Huddersfield had their chances and if just one of them had gone in then it might well have been a different outcome. And, yes, they started the game well and had a decent spell on top just before half-time and then for around a 15-minute period after the re-start, but aside from that, Scunthorpe showed more intent and had more territory, there was more resilience and determination by players in claret and blue shirts who rolled their sleeves up, grafted better, and just showed all their best qualities which I’ve loved seeing from them this season.

Once they made the breakthrough through Harrison Poulter (who now has more goals for the season than Jack Goodman at Doncaster - something he’ll be happy to know) all their dominant qualities came to the fore and there was only ever one team that was going to win.

Individually, there were so many good performances.

Harry Elliott-Bell; better feet than I’ve ever given him credit for (an immaculate first touch demonstrated a few times), should have scored, but played two quality long-range passes to feet - one in the first half towards the edge of the box where he had the ‘keeper worried, then one early in the second half to the feet of Lucas Dickinson. Inch-perfect both times, pure quality, and a top and lively performance which deserves respect.

Ben Pike; quality. Read things superbly at the back, good distribution evidenced in the first half with a ball to release CBW, but used his intelligence to make so many good blocks and interceptions that were pivotal in foiling Huddersfield. Had a little clash of heads just before half-time but soldiered on and was so intelligent with his reading/understanding of the game - all very noticeable. Loved seeing it! Happy Fridays!

Josh Murtagh; looked absolutely filthy at the end because mud really stands out when it's on a luminous green ‘keepers kit, but pulled off two or three fantastic reaction saves (so important), pure instincts, and he should be beaming tonight. Couldn’t fault the other aspects of his game either and a top all-round performance. Top saves. Well-earned clean-sheet. Keep right on with those performances and ‘Up the Blues’ against Sunderland tomorrow!

Harrison Poulter; like a young Michael Owen with his great bursts of pace at times - including that one in the first half where even though the defender was a lot bigger and much more imposing than him, he just went round him with the ball and had him on toast! Superb! Then a goal which would have been two had the ‘keeper not pulled off a worldie. But another game, another goal. Harrison. Poulter. Scores. Goals. And a successful afternoon! Job done!

Charlie Burden-Whittleton; some excellent bits of link-up play that brought others into the game and a really eye-catching performance. Massive respect to him for his part in the chance just before the second goal where he used his body very well in the first instance to set-up the chance. So much time for that! He’s got bits to get better at (two offsides in quick succession in the first half) but lots of good link-up play, moving the ball cleverly, and qualities that created a good impression. Good contribution. Liked it a lot. Raw, will get better in time, and based on this performance he’s someone I can’t wait to watch more next season. Also had the Huddersfield bench furious when he tried to take it round the ‘keeper in the first half but slipped (genuinely) in doing so before they realised he wasn’t diving!

Finn Abraham; led by example at the back, involved in a few duels - including one in the second half by the dugouts where he was right to defend aggressively, even if it led to a Huddersfield player wanting to start on him (calm down lad). Put his body on the line just a minute or so after that to block a shot too. Another steady showing and a clean-sheet. Can’t ask for much more than that!

Charley Strouther; seen him be so good on so many occasions and always sets a high benchmark which is why I love watching him. Lovely left-foot, good little burst of pace in the first half where he beat his man and left him chasing shadows, then the near-post shot, and the assist at the end. Good player, steady performance, and deserves so much respect considering what I’ve continuously seen from him all season.

Lucas Dickinson; another little warrior. Energetic, good standing up of his marker at times and getting up and down the flank to offer support in different scenarios. Will be an even better player when he ‘puts a name on it’ - something to learn from about a pass in the first half, but a performance he should be pleased about, plus he nearly scored. Contributed a good deal. Gave a good account - and I loved the signal to the bench just as the goal went in (got a lot of time for that sort of stuff and buying a few seconds when it’s possible).

Josh Robertson; the absolute bulldog of this team. A quieter game than some I’ve seen him have but every quality this team has is personified in his character and the way he plays, and it would be a weaker team without him. Old school, hard, aggressive, an enforcer in his No.8 role. So much time for him!

Josh Cunningham; bits to learn but some good little aggressive traits in his performance and how he carries himself which reminds me of a few other players elsewhere. That was notable in a steady display, nothing major, but another player who I genuinely want to see more when I watch these lads next season.

Adam Rowe; the youngest in the team and filling in for Harvey Cribb. Probably gulped a bit when one of Huddersfield’s attackers went down inside the box with him in close proximity in the first half (never a penalty, get up lad) but some nice and neat touches in midfield, will be happy to have got a start, probably not happy so much with the weather, but always good to be on the winning team.

Jake Harman; scored one and took it well, would have got an assist had Huddersfield’s ‘keeper not decided to morph into prime Gigi Buffon and somehow tip over Harrison Poulter’s shot, got into good positions and a decent little cameo showing off the bench. Definitely on the pitch at the right time as the game had opened up, and reaped the rewards from it. Looked a good player.

Dylan Corbett and Oakley Hill also got on (shout-out to Ewan Oxborough who didn’t but at least got wet warming up).

Again - and on the whole, it was such a difficult and challenging game because of how horrendous the weather was but all the lads rose to it admirably - and it needs to be said that whatever has been thrown at these Scunthorpe lads this season, they’ve responded and took it in their stride, and it’s been an absolute pleasure watching them.

On the crap pitch at Appleby Frodingham, they have constantly rolled their sleeves up and had to graft to get results. When they’ve been underestimated (dangerous game that is but it has happened at times) they’ve responded and steam-rollered opponents - just ask Doncaster Rovers about that one. When they’ve been favourites (like the Pontefract Collieries or Telford United games in the FA Youth Cup), they’ve not got cocky; instead they’ve gone out and earned the right to win. When they’ve been massive underdogs (Barnsley away who are currently one of the best Category Two teams in the country) they’ve played out their skin, gone down fighting and been the best team on the pitch.

They have so many qualities and I’ve got so much RESPECT for them - and that’s before you even consider the relentless off-the-pitch stuff which has been never-ending at times. Technically; they’re maybe not the best, but in terms of character, commitment, application, attitude and desire, rolling their sleeves up and doing it - they are absolutely superb, they deserve all the plaudits thrown their way, and they have qualities that are strong as Shay Larkin’s beard (and some beard that is by the way).

All the first team staff and hierarchy who watched this game from the back of the stand must be buzzing with the attributes that were on show - even writing this now I’m still buzzing because the characteristics were so strong, and it’s brilliant that the academy will still be in operation next year, allowing the vast chunk of these lads to show again what they can do!

They deserve that chance - and this performance, beating a Championship’s U18s team for the FOURTH time this season, ought to give an indicator to everyone of what they’re about and what can be earned through graft, good attitudes and just by being a top set of lads.

A thoroughly enjoyable game! Well done! What a win! But I do feel sorry for the kit man because after that soaking, he’s got his work cut out get it clean and dry in time for Tuesday’s game at Mansfield.

Team: Josh Murtagh, Lucas Dickinson (Jake Harman), Charley Strouther, Josh Cunningham (Dylan Corbett), Finn Abraham, Ben Pike, Adam Rowe (Oakley Hill), Josh Robertson, Harrison Poulter, Charlie Burden-Whittleton, Harry Elliott-Bell. Unused Sub: Ewan Oxborough.















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