BURTON Albion’s Professional Development Phase side earnt themselves a deserved 2-1 victory against Huddersfield Town at St George’s Park in the EFL Youth Alliance League.
Two goals from Callum Niven made the difference as the Young Brewers came back from 1-0 down after Evander Grubb opened the scoring.
The home side could have had more in the second half, as they showed lots of composure to control the game throughout that period.
It was a cagey start to proceedings, with both teams trying to feel each other out and not trying to give anything away.
Ben Raine had the first chance of the game as Tristan Bennett intercepted a loose ball and set it back to Raine, whose shot was saved by Sam Taylor.
Huddersfield captain Michael Stone came close with an attempt from range, after getting on the end of a Burton clearance.
Tommy Hill was a real threat for the Brewers throughout the first half and almost put his side ahead after 22 minutes, after Luke Redfern’s header fell into his path but Taylor was on hand to deny the wing-back with a double save.
Greg Lewis was called into action, after a fantastic bit of skill from Hakeem Sandah helped him lay the ball off to Stone, whose shot required a fingertip save from Lewis to prevent a goal.
Huddersfield kept the pressure on and two brilliant last-ditch tackles from Raine and Redfern helped Burton keep the score at 0-0.
However, the away side were able to open the scoring as Stone intercepted a loose touch and Grubb found himself in behind the defence and he coolly slotted past Lewis.
Burton were not behind for long though, as four minutes later NIVEN fired a 20-yard free kick past Taylor to level up proceedings on the 41st minute.
Niven almost added a second just before the break as he created some space for himself and curled a shot towards the top right corner, but it was met by the hands of Taylor.
Bennett was next to go close before the half time whistle, as he got on the end of a Raine through ball, but he fired his shot over.
The Young Brewers' first half momentum carried over to the second, as Bennett took on his man before putting a cross into Niven, but his header went wide.
Thierry Latty-Fairweather drove forward from defence to play Bennett in behind who once again found Niven, but Huddersfield defended well to force a corner.
Niven fancied his chances from another free kick, but unfortunately, he could only send his 25-yard free kick over the bar.
The second half was almost all Burton, as they played the ball around Huddersfield, especially as they transitioned through the opposition’s midfield.
Hill burst down the left wing, putting a cross in for Niven who at first couldn’t quite get a hold of the ball, but after a bit of a scramble his off-balance shot went just wide of the goal.
Huddersfield did have a chance against the run of play as Joseph Johnson got in behind the Burton defence, but his shot was straight at Lewis.
It was the home side that took the lead, as Bennett’s cross deflected off Raine’s chest which fell into the path of NIVEN who smashed home from close range.
Burton almost added to their lead straight away as Huw Emery passed to Joseph Nyahwema who played in Connor Pace, but his shot was well saved by Taylor.
With 10 minutes to go, the home side were unlucky not to have a third as Redfern’s header was saved by Taylor, but the clearance fell to Drew Robinson whose fierce drive from range hit the underside of the bar and was cleared by Huddersfield.
The Young Brewers will have a chance to end 2021 on a high as they travel to Harrogate on the 18th of December.
BREWERS: Lewis, Emery, Hill, Hazell (Pace 45), Redfern, Latty-Fairweather, Raine, Robinson, Niven, Bennett, Nyahwema. Subs not used: Laban (GK), Maginness, Noon-Brandy, McLean.