City’s under-19s ended 2021 on a positive note as they made it eight wins in their last nine EFL Youth Alliance North East matches, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 triumph over Huddersfield Town.
Despite falling behind early on, the young Bantams turned the game around, and it was a late winner from substitute Freddy Jeffreys which earned them another three points at their Woodhouse Grove training base.
The visitors broke the deadlock with five minutes on the clock when Tom Iorpenda’s strike from the edge of the 18-yard box found the bottom corner of the net.
Martin Drury’s side had a chance to equalise moments later when Cole Roberts’ low cross was flicked just wide of the near post by Dylan Youmbi.
The Bantams did however draw level on the half-hour mark courtesy of a stunning solo effort from Olivier Sukiennicki.
The midfielder took possession deep inside the Town half, jinking away from one defender and beating another before unleashing a fierce long-range effort into the top corner.
With just over an hour played, things were made easier for City when visiting skipper Brodie Spencer was sent off for a second-bookable offence.
Bobby Pointon went close to giving the hosts the lead when his left-footed strike was pushed away by Terriers goalkeeper Michael Acquah.
It was then City skipper Charlie Wood’s turn to go near, but his attempt flew just wide of the goal.
City finally found a winning goal with just two minutes of normal time remaining, through super substitute Jeffreys.
Pointon worked space on the right and swung in a pinpoint ball to the midfielder, whose effort hit both posts before he tapped in the rebound from point-blank range.
This ensured the young Bantams stayed within touching distance of the top of the table, just three points off leaders Lincoln City.
CITY: Eric Hanbury; Louie Chorlton, George Thewlis, Sam Bentley, Noah Wadsworth; Charlie Wood ©, Olivier Sukiennicki (Freddy Jeffreys 71’), Bobby Pointon, Jack Wilson; Dylan Youmbi, Cole Roberts (Raekealan Jeffers 83’). SUBS (not used): Harry Ambler, Tanaka Muambe, Ian Kamga.
GOALS: Olivier Sukiennicki (30’), Freddy Jeffreys (88’).
HUDDERSFIELD: Michael Acquah; Michael Stone, Ajay Weston (booked 56’), David Adewoju, Brodie Spencer © (booked 53, dismissed 62’); Tom Iorpenda, Joseph Johnson, Cian Philpott, Conor Falls; Dylan Helliwell (Hakeem Sandah 55’), Fopefoluwa Deru (booked 58’), (Tyree Sanusi 76’). SUBS (not used): Donay O’Brien-Brady, Jeremy Stewart, Michael Parker.
GOALS: Tom Iorpenda (5’).