HUDDERSFIELD TOWN succumbed to some slick second-half passing from the Spanish as Barcelona B chalked a 2-0 win at the John Smith’s Stadium last night.
A crowd of 7,951 enjoyed some enterprising play from both sides before Gerard Deulofeu (penalty, 63) and Araujo (68) settled it for the visitors, who play Bolton tomorrow.
Led by Peter Clarke, Grayson’s promotion-winning players got a rousing reception from the crowd – most seeing them for the first time since Wembley – and especially striker Jordan Rhodes who has been the subject of much transfer speculation.
Click on the image below to see match action.
New signings Joel Lynch, Paul Dixon, Keith Southern, Oliver Norwood, Adam Clayton and Sean Scannell were in the starting line-up at home for the first time in Town colours.
Anthony Gerrard, who completed his move only hours before the game against the Segunda Division side, was not in the squad.
Town adopted a 4-5-1 formation for much of the early stages as the Spanish side dominated possession, but the best chance of the first 10 minutes fell to Grayson’s men, when Norwood releasing Rhodes into space for a shot across goal which screwed well off target.
Barca showed a glimpse of their skills on 13 minutes when Grimaldo found an opening for Dongou, but the burly striker clipped his shot wide with Alex Smithies advancing from his line to narrow the angle.
Jack Hunt and the impressive Scannell both enjoyed surging runs towards the Barca box and Norwood caught the eye, but he badly wasted a free-kick, firing high after Rhodes had been tripped five yards outside the box.
Southern announced his arrival with a scything challenge on Espinosa, while Clayton received treatment to his right leg after clashing accidentally with Roman.
Scannell fired a shot across the face of goal as Town completed a satisfactory first half hour with some neat touches and passing from the midfield.
With Lee Novak operating wide right and Scannell on the left, there was plenty of room for Norwood to probe and for Southern and Clayton to get involved behind lone frontman Rhodes.