U21s Bounce Back In Win Over Farsley

Town U21s 2-1 Farsley Celtic U23s

High-flying Farsley Celtic U23s were the visitors to The CNG Stadium this Monday night as Town looked to kick start their second half of the season with an improved performance.
 
Paul Barker once again fielded a very youthful side with 16-year-old Jack Wade continuing in goal with a place on the bench for fellow 16 year olds Oliver Lamb and Jack Annis.
 
With the remnants of Storm Dennis at their back in the first half, Town looked to start brightly and make the most of the conditions and it wasn’t long before midfielder Tom Johnson was testing the visiting keeper with a vicious shot from distance which was collected at the second attempt.
 
Town continued to probe away at the Celtic back line but each time coming up short as the visitors held firm.

As the second half wore on, the game became scrappy and fragmented with few moments of quality.

Just as both sides looked to of settled for a stalemate at the break, Farsley forward Akeel Francis got on the end of a quick counter attack as Town gave the ball away and hit a scuffed shot that eluded the Town keeper to give the visitors the lead at half time.
 
With the wind now firmly in their faces the young Town lads knew they would have to knuckle down to get a foot hold back in the game.

The introduction of second half subs Harley Lambert and Harry Boyer breathed fresh impetus into the Town side with Lewis Thornton pulling the strings and dictating play from midfield.
 
It was Thornton himself, moments after Lambert had rattled the upright with a thumping drive, who got Town back level on 65 minutes with a powerful shot from outside the area, giving the visiting keeper no chance.
 
As the belief flooded through the Town players that the game was there to be won, the U21s looked dangerous every time they ventured forward and didn’t have to wait too long before taking the lead as Boyer pounced on a loose ball in the area with a composed finish past the Celtic keeper.
 
While Town kept pushing for a third, the visitors still looked dangerous on the break looking to use their physical advantage to overpower the Town youngsters, but a succession of miss-directed shots and the occasional set piece were as much as the visitors could muster as the half came to a close.
 
The young Town lads were good value for their win on the second half showing alone. Now they need to be able to convert that and be more consistent as they face tough examinations in the next two weeks against Hemsworth and Ilkley, but for now they can savour this moment.

Town: Wade, Hardcastle, Gulzar, Stuart, Clark, Johnson, Lawn, Thornton, Humphries (Boyer 46), Anderson, Richardson (Lambert 46)

Subs not used: Lamb, Annis

Goals: Thornton 70, Boyer 78