Huddersfield Town

Manager Mark Robins fielded two completely different elevens during each half against the foreign visitors, who will soon compete in the third qualifying round of this season’s Champions League after finishing runners-up in their domestic league last term.

In red hot conditions on a sunny Saturday afternoon, a senior-looking Town side went into the interval two goals to the good – but it could have been even more had it not been for the visiting goalkeeper, who made a series of good saves. As it was, goals for Nahki Wells and Oliver Norwood were enough to give Town the lead.

A younger second-half side drew their 45 minutes 1-1; Limassol netted a penalty in the 72nd minute, but Town responded when Northern Ireland international Martin Paterson scored his own ‘Panenka’ style spot kick; Duane Holmes having been brought down just inside the area during a clever corner routine.

On a pristine pitch, both sides passed the ball along the floor in what was an excellent opening run-out and richly deserved 3-1 win for the impressive Terriers, as Manager Mark Robins explained:

“I’m very pleased. AEL Limassol provided a good test for us in our first pre-season game behind closed doors on a very hot and humid day. This was a test for the lads and they’ve come through pretty well.

“The main thing was that we created chances and took some of them, but we also passed the ball pretty well. Limassol were also a good enough team that we had to take defending seriously too in order to negate their attacking threat, which was great from my standpoint.

“We put some young lads in there during the second half and it was a little bit more difficult for us as we had a few players out of position in order to get minutes on the pitch, but we drew that 45 too. 

“Everyone has got minutes under their belt and most importantly we’ve come through without any knocks.

“We’ve got a really good week in store now in Portugal, when we can get the players and our new technical staff together and get the chance to integrate further. There will be a lot of hard work in the sunshine over there.”