Victory for Young Terriers at John Smith's Stadium
- Huddersfield Town win 2019/20 Clarets Cup
- Ben Midgley took the Young Terriers ahead with penalty
- Well-deserved end to the season for side
Huddersfield Town’s Young Terriers won the 2019/20 Clarets Cup at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 victory over Burnley in the final.
A 69th minute Ben Midgley penalty sealed the cup victory for the Young Terriers.
The previous season's tournament consisted of players aged under 17 at the beginning of last season.
Town stopper Nicholas Bilokapic produced a cup winning save in the 78th minute, denying late Burnley pressure.
The Cup final got off to a tense start with both sides reluctant to commit men forward in the early stages.
Town eased themselves into the game by dictating possession on the half-way line and building from the back in their robust 3-4-3 formation.
The Young Terriers found their first opening after five minutes as winger Myles Bright advanced down the left. The 18-year-old cut inside before curling an edge-of-the-box effort into the gloves of Sam Waller.
Town's constant pressure ensured their next opportunity would come just seven minutes later. Bright again found space wide right before linking up with Donay O'Brien-Brady whose inswinging cross was nodded wide by Shane Maroodza lurking at the back post.
The home side's best opportunity to take a first half lead came in the 32nd minute as Town attacked through the middle. O'Brien-Brady slid through Brodie Spencer from the edge of the box, but the wingback was denied by a late sliding challenge in front of goal.
Ernaldo Krasniqi attempted a trademark goal from distance in the 38th minute, however the Albian's effort sailed wide of the left post to leave the score goalless at the break.
Town resumed the second half on the front foot as Brahima Diarra found space to drive through the midfield in the 51st minute. However, the French man's effort from outside the box was lifted narrowly over the bar.
Myles Bright continued to cause problems for Burnley and almost put Town ahead after 62 minutes. The winger cut in from the left to curl a low shot narrowly wide of the bottom right corner with the 'keeper beaten.
Town took the lead in the 69th minute as substitute Conor Falls won a penalty ten minutes after leaving the bench. Falls dispossessed Burnley centre back Jake Rooney before being tripped by onrushing 'keeper Sam Wallace.
Midgley showed good composure to fire the spotkick into the right side of the goal having returned to the squad from a long-term injury just a month earlier.
Despite going behind, Burnley reminded the hosts of their presence in the 78th minute. Having won the ball back, forward Michael Mellon found space in the box to turn and shoot, but Bilokapic reacted well to palm the effort away.
Diarra had an opportunity to seal the victory for Town with three minutes to go. The midfielder's effort from the edge of the box lost pace as it skidded across the wet surface, allowing Waller to get a glove to it and keep it out.
The cup final was concluded by late controversy as Etienne Camara and Jacson Coppack were both sent off following a coming together in the 92nd minute.
Town’s Team (3-4-3)
Nicholas Bilokapic; David Adewoju (Charles Nduwuisi-Ondo, 84’), Etienne Camara, Loick Ayina; Shane Maroodza, Ben Midgley (c), Ernaldo Krasniqi (Conor Falls, 59’), Brodie Spencer; Myles Bright, Brahima Diarra, Donay O’Brien-Brady
Unused Subs
Michael Roxburgh, Josh Okpolokpo, Neo Eccleston, Sonny Whittingham, Charles Nduwuisi-Ondo, Michael Stone, Jeremy Stewart, Evander Grubb
Scorers
Ben Midgley (69’)
Town Red Card
Etienne Camara (90+3’)
Final Score
Young Terriers 1-0 Burnley FC
