Match Day Thread Udders U21 v Hull City AFC U21 - Premier League Cup semi-final

Unusually, we've got two games on today...

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The Under-21s are in U21 Premier League Cup semi-final action against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday evening (KO 7pm).

The Tigers have won four games to reach this stage of the competition, beating Sheffield Wednesday in the qualifying round before victories over Crewe Alexandra and West Bromwich Albion in the Round of 32 and Round of 16 respectively.

Tony Pennock’s side then came from behind to register an impressive 3-1 victory over over Millwall at the Den in the quarter-finals to book their place in the last four of the cup competition.

Opponents Huddersfield, managed by former Tigers striker Frankie Bunn, currently top in the U21 Professional Development League 2 North table and have defeated Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, holders Southampton and Charlton Athletic en route to the semi-finals.

Admission to the game, which is being played at the Terriers' John Smith’s Stadium, will be priced at £4 adults and £2 concessions.

Both teams are permitted to play a maximum of three overage outfields and an overage goalkeeper in the tie. The winner has to be decided on the night, so extra time and penalties will be utilised if required.

 

Pennock Proud After Semi-Final Success

Tony Pennock admitted he was ‘extremely, extremely proud’ of his players after they overcame Huddersfield Town to reach the U21 Premier League Cup final.

After 120 goalless minutes in a closely contested match at the Terriers’ John Smith’s Stadium, it was the Tigers that held their nerves to claim a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win and Pennock was quick to praise his side for their achievement after the game.

“It’s pretty unbelievable really considering it’s only our first year as a Category Two Academy,” said Pennock.

“All credit to the staff and the lads. They’ve put a lot of effort in since they came back in the first week of July, and that’s one thing we said to them going into extra-time and penalties.

“We told them to believe in all the hard work they’ve put in this season and they’ll get their rewards. We all know penalties are a bit of a lottery but it was great to see the lads hold their nerve in the shoot-out.

“It’s a first for our club. Opportunities to reach cup finals don’t come around too often and when they do you have to make the most of them. The players did that on Tuesday night with an excellent team display and they deserve a huge amount of credit for what they have achieved.

“I’m extremely, extremely proud of the players and everyone connected to the Academy because it’s been a real team effort. Everyone should take great pleasure in seeing our Under-21 group reach the final of a national cup competition.”

Reflecting on the game itself, Pennock believes his side were worthy winners on the night.

“I think we shaded it. In the first half, I thought we were really bright and created a number of chances and their keeper had to make a couple of decent saves to prevent us from going in ahead at the break.

“But, we knew Huddersfield would have a good spell of their own and that happened in the second half.

“We had a couple of good chances following the restart but after that they grew into the game after changing their shape and had a 25-minute spell where they were on top.

“Being totally honest, it was backs to the wall stuff from us during that period but the lads deserve so much credit for how they handled themselves. We dug in, stayed strong and prevented the ball from going in the back of our net, which was vital.

“I think we were the stronger side in extra-time though. We had more of the ball in the additional 30 minutes but we just couldn’t find that all-important goal.

“After that it went to penalties, which is always a lottery at any level of the game, and thankfully the lads got the job done in order to see us progress to the final.”

Pennock stated before the game that Huddersfield were the best side he and his players had faced in their first season as a Category Two Academy, and the Tigers’ Academy Manager praised the Terriers for the part they played in a tie that he beleives was a fantastic advert for Under-21 football.

“I’ve said all along that Huddersfield are the best team we’ve played this season and there’s not been too much between us in the three times we've come up against each other,” he added.

“We’ve won one, they’ve won one and the semi-final was technically a draw before we won the tie on penalties.

“But everyone who was at the John Smith’s Stadium last night was treated to a thoroughly entertaining game of football. I thought it was a great advert for Under-21 football.

“Fair play to the Huddersfield fans inside the ground, they made an awful lot of noise from the first minute until the last, which added to the overall experience for our lads.

“It was a great advert for Category Two Academies and showed that clubs operating at that level have got good teams and can play good football. Every player on the pitch deserves a lot of credit for the entertainment they provided in the 120 minutes.”