Bradford City Under-18s recorded an impressive 2-0 victory over local-rivals Huddersfield.
Goals from Connor Shanks and Matt Birchall ensured the Terriers would head home empty handed, moving the Bantams into sixth spot in the EFL Youth Alliance North East division.
City started the match as they wished to go on and enjoyed the better chances during the opening exchanges.
Kielen Adams, who was on the bench for the first team last night, proved a constant threat and almost opened the scoring. Birchall’s ball through the backline allowed him a shot on goal, only to be saved by the keeper, and the flag being raised on the follow up.
It was a case of déjà vu 20 minutes later, as a Birchall chip over again found Adams - but the striker was unable to convert when one-on-one with Town keeper Luke Mewitt.
Adams then turned provider for the opening goal. After good pressure from the back, his defence splitting ball found Shanks and he put it low under the keeper to give the Bantams a deserved lead approaching half-time.
The second came just moments into the second period.
Captain Jeremie Milambo’s driven run down the left flank allowed him to create an opening to get the ball across the goal-line. Adams’ movement was key in dragging the defender wide, leaving Birchall to fire home unopposed in the centre of the area.
Adams was again left frustrated at the sight of the linesman’s flag, after again being caught offside. Jake Maltby’s perfectly weighted free-kick found the frontman in the area to put the ball home, only for the goal to be disallowed.
Hayden Smethurst tried to create a final chance to finish off the game for City with a marauding run into the Huddersfield penalty area from right back. Only the goalkeeper came between his ball across to substitute Dan Aitken, stopping a certain third goal for the home side.
The young Bantams next travel to St George’s Park to face Burton Albion on Friday (2.00pm).
BANTAMS: Alfie Darke; Hayden Smethurst (Kian Scales 82’), Jorge Sikora, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Jeremie Milambo (C); Jake Maltby, Raeece Ellington, Matt Birchall (Dan Francis 82’); Eddy Prata (Dylan Drovi 66’), Connor Shanks (Wade Ripley 84’), Kielen Adams (Dan Aitken 66’).
GOAL SCORERS: Shanks (30’), Birchall (48’)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Cousin-Dawson