Vaughan and Paterson net in defeat
James Vaughan and Martin Paterson were on the score sheet as Mark Robins’ men fell to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of La Liga outfit Real Betis.
Vaughan opened the scoring with a well-placed header before Betis scored four unanswered goals – three of which came courtesy of Chuli – before Martin Paterson shortened the deficit with a well-directed lob.
Like last season’s solitary home friendly, the sun was shining in Huddersfield to welcome Town’s Spanish pre-season opponents.
The setting sun had no effect on James Vaughan’s vision, though, as he rose above his marker on 12 minutes to plant home Sean Scannell’s superb right-footed cross.
Mark Robins’ men continued to dominate the opening exchanges with Scannell giving Betis’ right-back Markus Steinhofer plenty of problems on his debut.
Betis’ first effort on goal came from the boot of number 9 Chuli who saw a snapshot fly over Alex Smithies’ bar, while at the other end Oliver Norwood’s shot was deflected on to the roof of Stephan Anderson’s goal.
Chuli continued to cause Town problems as he curled a shot wide before his strike partner Joan Verdu deservedly levelled for the visitors on 33 minutes when he timed his run to perfection to head past Smithies.
Chuli grabbed the goal that his play had deserved two minutes later with a tap in from two yards after Town had failed to deal with a corner at the near post; and he very nearly repeated the trick five minutes later, but on this occasion Smithies was alive to the threat and palmed clear his effort.
Town had the final say of the half when Jordan Sinnott forced Anderson into a low save after Norwood had elegantly found Vaughan with a cross field pass.
Betis Manager Pepe Mel made nine changes at half-time, leaving on dangerman Chuli who continued to make life a misery for Town’s defence.
In combination with former Real Madrid midfielder Juanfran the 22 year-old tripled his tally inside two minutes with a near post header and a low strike from the edge of the area.
Martin Paterson had struggled to get into the game playing behind Vaughan, but he made his presence felt in the 54th minute when he cutely lobbed home after Oscar Gobern had done well to charge down a Betis clearance.
Trialist Cristian Lopez entered the fray on 62 minutes in place of Vaughan and worked hard as the Terriers looked to close the gap on the scoreboard. They almost did that with twenty minutes remaining, but Paterson’s flick header, from Jake Carroll’s excellent cross, went wide.
Robins’ men enjoyed the share of possession as the floodlights came into full effect at the Stadium and carved out two half chances. Firstly, Danny Ward headed wide from eight yards before Lopez raced clear courtesy of Adam Hammill’s ball and forced Guillermo Sara into a smart save with his legs.
Town’s team (4-2-3-1):
Alex Smithies; Paul Dixon (Jake Carroll, 46), Joel Lynch (Murray Wallace 75,), Peter Clarke (c), Jack Hunt; Oliver Norwood (Adam Hammill, 62), Jordan Sinnott (Oscar Gobern, 46); Sean Scannell (Danny Ward, 46), Martin Paterson (Matt Crooks, 73); James Vaughan (Cristian Lopez, 62)
Unused substitutes:
Ian Bennett, Tommy Smith
Attendance: 4,706
