A winning start to the Central League Cup campaign
- The Huddersfield Town B Team wins at Rotherham United
- Winning start to the Central League Cup campaign
- Goals from Brahima Diarra and Kian Harratt
Another goal from in-form striker Kian Harratt sealed a 2-1 victory over Rotherham United to start the new Central League Cup campaign on Tuesday afternoon.
French midfielder Brahima Diarra put Huddersfield Town’s B Team into the lead in the first period, but an own goal from Ben Jackson levelled the game on the hour.
However, the Young Terriers ensured victory in South Yorkshire through Harratt’s penalty kick.
It was a fast start for the Young Terriers, as midfielder Ben Midgley saw a curling effort from the edge of the area deflect wide off the head of Jake Hull in the opening minute.
The following corner saw Josh Austerfield have a looping header tipped over the bar from the Millers ‘keeper.
On 10 minutes, Harratt could have put Town ahead after being threaded through after good build-up play on the edge, but goalkeeper Vickers raced off his line to smother the ball and thwart the chance.
However, the pressure told when the Young Terriers took the lead on 17 minutes.
Firstly, Diarra saw an effort from a tight angle cannon against the post before Billy Carroll steered the ball behind for a corner.
The following set-piece saw Diarra glance home from Ben Jackson’s out-swinging corner.
On 21 minutes, Harratt almost created a second goal of the game, latching onto a ball through from left back Jaheim Headley before beating his man and pulling the ball towards the penalty spot, where Midgley was arriving. However, Rotherham’s Archie Day made an important tackle to take the ball away from the midfielder’s foot.
Moments later, Harratt was causing problems again, as he linked up with Midgley on the left-hand side, but the forward could only place his effort into the side netting.
Rotherham barely threatened in the opening period due to Town’s resolute back three, with their only chance of the first half coming through Hamish Douglas, whose snapshot was held by Nicholas Bilokapic.
As the half ended, Jaheim Headley forced another good low save out of Vickers from 25 yards.
Town had the second half’s first opportunity, as Jackson’s well-struck free-kick was superbly tipped wide by Vickers.
The home side then enjoyed their best spell, as Jacob Gratton managed to sidestep Nassim Kherbouche on the right before the forward bent his shot just wide of the far top corner.
Carroll then headed wide from Will Jenkinson’s corner several minutes later.
The home side equalised on the hour mark in unfortunate fashion, as Jackson’s back pass was misplaced, and the ball rolled past a helpless Bilokapic.
However, Town didn’t lull on that error as they equalised from the penalty spot just six minutes later.
Micah Obiero took a high ball into his stride before jinking past Vickers, who brought him down. Harratt stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to put the Young Terriers back ahead.
Bilokapic then made two excellent stops in quick succession to deny Gratton with 15 minutes to play.
Obiero could have sealed the victory in the dying moments, as the forward executed a volley that flew across the target and onto the frame of goal.
Town held possession well to see out a solid victory over the Millers.
Town’s B Team Line-up (3-4-3)
Nicholas Bilokapic; Ben Jackson (c), Josh Austerfield, Nassim Kherbouche (Loick Ayina, 71'); Jaheim Headley, Ben Midgley, Etienne Camara, Brodie Spencer; Micah Obiero, Kian Harratt, Brahima Diarra
Unused Subs
Michael Roxburgh; Luke Billam, Josh Okpolokpo
Scorers
Brahima Diarra (17’), Kian Harratt (70’)
Final Score
Rotherham United 1-2 Huddersfield Town B Team
