U19s end Pre-season with a 3-1 win at Halifax

On Thursday 8^th October, Town U19s played their final pre-season friendly as they travelled to the Stafflex Arena in Huddersfield to take on Halifax Town U23s.

From the kick off, the home side looked to establish themselves and get on the front foot and created a couple of decent openings only to be thwarted by keeper Leon Heppell and some powerful defending from new boy Kieran Burton.

With the early onslaught weathered, Town gained a foothold in the game but still found chances hard to come by and were restricted to a couple of long range efforts from forwards Harry Boyer and Joe Gosling, while the home sides early creatively dried up as Town’s defensive line and hard working midfield got on top and the half ended goalless.

The second 45 started brightly for Town as they set about dominating their opponents in all areas of the pitch and on 55 mins they got their rewards as a ball in from the right hand side saw midfielder Ben Barker finish neatly at the back post on his weaker foot.

With the visitors now in the ascendency and looking dangerous each time they went forward. A second followed, a composed finish past the home keeper by second half substitute Gabe Hopkinson saw Town double their lead.

There was still time for some late drama as the home side prodded in a goal from close range after Town were caught ball watching for once after giving away a free kick. But the Halifax players renewed energy was short lived as Harry Boyer found Hopkinson again to slot home his second of the night and give Town a comfortable final few minutes.

Next week the U19s start their West Yorkshire Championship North campaign away against a strong Stanley Utd U23s before visiting Pontefract Collieries on match day two.

Town U19s: Heppell, Hields, Burton, Dobson, Whelan, Navier, Thorpe, Mason, Barker, Gosling, Boyer

Subs: Calvert, Mutch, Hopkinson, Hardcastle

Goals: Barker (52) Hopkinson (77, 85)