Young Terriers beaten at Barnfield Training Centre
- Town B beaten 2-0 by Burnley
- First minutes back from injury for First Team’s Josh Ruffels
- Rolando Aarons also picked up minutes
Josh Ruffels returned to footballing action as Huddersfield Town’s B Team fell to a 2-0 defeat against Burnley at their Barnfield Training Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
The left back played a planned 45 minutes as he regained some match fitness after recovering from COVID-19.
Despite Town holding possession well, two first half goals sealed the victory for Burnley.
The hosts took the lead in the fifth minute of action, with Lewis Richardson drilling a low shot past Nicholas Bilokapic.
The Young Terriers had their first chance to get back into the game, with some good play between Jaheim Headley and Rolando Aarons seeing the later send an effort towards Burnley’s ‘keeper. Unfortunately, he was able to scoop it up.
Burnley took back possession not long after, and Bilokapic showcased two excellent back-to-back saves to give the scoreline level.
Kian Harratt was determined to find himself a goal. He broke through a sea of Burnley players as he headed towards the goal, but saw his eventual shot blocked by the legs of a Clarets defender.
Jon Russell was the next Town player to come close to finding an equaliser. He reached highest to latch onto a Ben Midgley corner, but just tipped the ball over the crossbar.
The second, and last, goal of the game fell to Burnley in the 42nd minute with Jacob Bedeau nodding a corner past Bilokapic.
The Young Terriers started the second half brightly, with Myles Bright providing Town’s best chance of the game. He sent a powerful shot goalbound, which the hosts’ ‘keeper did well to tip over the crossbar.
Burnley’s second half substitute Joe McGlynn threatened the scoreline on several occasions, but Bilokapic was quick to deny him.
As the clock continued to count down, Harratt had a final attempt to bring Town back into the game, but saw his effort go over the bar.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for the Young Terriers, whose attentions now turn to Stockport County on Tuesday 7 September 2021.
Town B’s line-up (3-4-3)
Nicholas Bilokapic; Josh Austerfield (c), Ben Midgley, Nasim Kherbouche; Jaheim Headley (Shane Maroodza, 73’), Josh Ruffels (Myles Bright, 46’), Jon Russell, Brahima Diarra; Abdul Abdulmalik (Connor Shanks, 66’), Kian Harratt, Rolando Aarons (Etienne Camara, 59’)
Unused Subs
Michael Acquah; David Adewoju, Donay O’Brien-Brady
