TOWN Reserves were put to the sword by a dominant Birmingham outfit at the Galpharm yesterday.
The game was effectively over inside the first 20 minutes with the visitors racing into a 3-0 lead which they never looked like relinquishing.
In glorious sunshine, Town got off to a dreadful start as they fell behind within four minutes.
John McCombe conceded a free-kick near the edge of the box which was taken quickly by the impressive Neil Kilkenny. He picked out Gary Dicker in the six-yard box, who had the freedom of Huddersfield to volley home.
And just as John Dungworth's men tried to bring themselves back into the match they were stunned by a terrific solo strike from Mikael Forssell in the 10th minute.
He doubled their advantage thanks to a rampaging charge forward by Kilkenny. His through ball sent the Finn on his way, and he glided past Martin McIntosh before dispatching a left-foot drive out of Simon Eastwood's reach.
Town were completely shell-shocked, and the match was put to bed seven minutes later when the lively Forssell earned a penalty after McIntosh was judged to have tripped the former Chelsea star in the box. The striker confidently stroked the ball home, sending Eastwood the wrong way.
However, Town's fighting spirit was commendable and in the second period they came closest to scoring on the hour mark when James Berrett's long-range drive was blocked, with the loose ball falling kindly to Luke Malcher. Unfortunately, Blues' stopper Adam Legzdins denied the youngster expertly.
Despite being outclassed for much of the contest, the hosts stuck to their task creditably and Berrett warmed Legzdin's hands with a firm header from a smashing free-kick by Danny Racchi in the 68th minute.
Town - Eastwood, Wilson, Killock, McCombe, McIntosh (Codman 55) Racchi, Berrett, Bailey, Hand, Akins, Malcher (Hallam 74). Subs not used: Smithies, Roberts, Jackson.
