Wideman Fraser Preston and goalkeeper Dan Wallis were the standout performers in the Under-23s’ 1-0 win over defending champions Huddersfield and head coach Neil Thompson was delighted with his side’s victory in an “old-fashioned game” of contrasting halves.
Preston’s strike after the break separated the sides at Sheffield FC and Thompson said following the confidence-boosting win over the Terriers: “We knew it was going to be a battle and a scrap, and it was.
“They had the better of the first half. We didn’t get close to them and put them under pressure.
“We had a chat at half time and I told the players to get closer, compete, and not to stand off them.
“When Huddersfield are playing their way around the back, you have got to put them under pressure in their half of the pitch, which we did.
“We affected the game in the second half, created several good chances and got our goal.”
He continued: “It was an old-fashioned game – a lot of tough play out there, and our two centre halves Connor O’Grady and Jordan Thorniley were terrific.
“Dan did really well in goal and Fraser’s come up trumps for us as well.”