11am 22 April 2023
EFL Youth Alliance, North East, Bottom Section
Mansfield Town U18 4 Huddersfield Town U18 2 (att 47)
Mansfield Town's youth team have been nomadic in the past but recently the club opened a new training ground and academy venue.
The Radford and Hymas Academy, in Pleasley on the outskirts of Mansfield, is impressive. There are three full-sized grass pitches and an enclosed 3G pitch that's equipped with floodlights and a stand.
This game was played on 'pitch one', the main grass pitch. The near side was roped off for spectators, while on the far side there are dugouts and a scaffold tower from where games can be filmed.
As far as I'm aware the EFL Youth Alliance remains a competition for under 18 sides, although both Mansfield and Huddersfield's Twitter accounts billed this as an under 19 fixture. That might be a throwback to post-covid flexibility on age limits.
There was little a stake on the pitch, although I guess players' hopes of being kept on for next season create an added dimension to their performances. Whatever the motivations this was a good game.
Mansfield struck first, after 30 minutes, and held their lead into half time. Goals flowed after the break, with Huddersfield equalising soon after the restart before the home side went back in front.
A third home goal, 15 minutes from time, looked to have settled the outcome, but Huddersfield hit back almost immediately. Their hopes of a comeback were brief though, as a fourth for Mansfield completed the scoring.
Comments
Post a Comment