But that is what Town suffered at Spotland on Saturday, giving Ricthie perhaps his first poor performance since he took over form Peter Jackson late last season and plenty to think about before the Galpharm opener with Yeovil Town on Saturday.

Two things spring quickly to mind following yesterday's match. Firstly Matthew Glennon still looks rather flaky in goal and although will make a number of excellent saves in a match is likely to still make that one mistake that could cost Town the match - at Rochdale he did two inside the first four minutes, after which Town were 2-0 down.

The second, Town still look very light up front and a new striker perhaps should have been on the shopping list for Ritchie during pre-season.

Town took what appeared to be on paper a full strength side for what proved to be the toughest test of pre-season to date. And after just four minutes of the match with the Lancashire side hitting Town hard it proved to be just that. Within 90 seconds the home side took the lead with a stunning free-kick which wrong footed Glennon in the Town goal. The second moments later saw Glennon fluff a back pass from Frank Sinclair and Town were two down.

The normally bright and agile looking Sinclair certainly looked out of it at Spotland as moments later he almost gifted Rochdale a third but the Dale striker sliced his shot just wide.

Dale did cap off a fine first half performance with a third goal on 33 minutes. Jon Worthington gave away a penalty that the Dale player did not fail to score from.

Town's best effort of the match came on 68 minutes when they saw a shot cleared off the line, but it remained the home side that looked more hungry for more goals. Danny Cadamateri forced the home 'keeper into a smart save just before the end, but this proved to be Rochdale's afternoon.

For all the positives taken from pre-season matches before the defeat at Rochdale, the first match against a professional side certainly looks to have knocked Town backwards. Once again the Town defence and 'keeper appear to have been scared of pace and hungry attackers and upfront Town offered negligible offerings in a generally poor performance.

Manager Andy Ritchie acknowledge his Town side were "very poor today" as he stated he was forceful at half time following a disappointing first half.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill was naturally delighted with his side's 3 goals and clean sheet. He told the official Rochdale website that the performance was superb. He was happy with the shape his side showed after a comfortable triumph over their higher league opponents.

Town had lost the game in the opening four minutes of the match, and they never came back following the bright start from Rochdale, whose supporters were quite rightly ecstatic with the victory and the manner of it.

But lets get one thing into perspective this is still pre-season and Ricthie still has time to iron out the remaining faults in his Town side. Roll on UEFA cup bound Blackburn Rovers for the Galpharm open day on Wednesday a good opportunity for Town to bounce back!

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To thisisthebarmyarmy.co.uk squad numbers for the 2007/2008 season. Tomorrow evening at a gala dinner the squad numbers will be announced by Huddersfield Town. We will be getting them onto this website as soon as possible

Town are now preparing for what should be an even tougher contest at Rochdale on Saturday.

The shorts are plain black as well as the socks which share the same red piping as the shirts on the rim. HTFC and Mitre is knitted into the socks.

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Both Chris Brandon and David Mirfin completed training today despite being taken off during the victory at Bridlington Town on Saturday. Town destroyed the Unibond First North side during three 30 minutes periods with an impressive performance and both were brought off during the first 30 minute period.

Town who won the match 6-1 saw Brandon (hamstring) and Mirfin (grion) pick up slight injuries but both responded to treatment ensuring they took part in training.

Danny Cadamateri and fellow new signing Malvin Karama impressed with both scoring a brace. Andy Booth was the only member of the 23 strong first team squad that did not travel to Queensgate on Saturday still nursing the injury during last Wednesday's 3-0 victory at AFC Emley.

Town travel to Hucknall Town tomorrow and Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday. On Saturday they make the shirt trip over the Pennines to face their first real test in League Two side Rochdale at Spotland.

Following the sun-drenched game Ritchie would have been delighted with the win regardless that it was expected and although it was good to see Tom Clarke back on the playing field Andy Booth had to be replaced following a nasty clash of heads.

Town gave trials to Lee Snodin and Jack Kamara.

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The player who is on a week on week contract at Oakwell could still become a Town player when he regains fitness with manager Andy Ritchie "hopeful the deal can be resurrected".

Both Town and player are disappointed with this, although talks will take place on Monday between the Town management and board level to discuss the transfer. A gutted Andy Ritchie told the official site "The deal looks in serve doubt now, I enforce wearing shin-pads as a rule in training now".

Keep checking back for more details on the transfer of Robbie to Huddersfield Town.

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Robbie Williams has signed a three-year deal with Town subject to passing a medical. The left back will make the short journey north from Barnsley and will help fill a left-sided void currently in the Town squad. The deal for the 22 year old was finalised yesterday with Williams agreeing terms and he moves for an undisclosed fee.

Following his fourth summer signing manager Andy Ritchie told the official site, "The squad now has a good blend of players". With pre-season training intensifying for the players and the first pre-season match just four days away the start of the season in four weeks time cannot come soon enough for the new era of Huddersfield Town.

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With 92 Terriers appearances under his belt and 26 goals he joins his eight club in as many season for the striker who joined the Terriers from Lincoln City (on a free transfer in 2005) and signs for the Lancashire side on a two year deal. Taylor-Fletcher joins former Town 'keeper Paul Rachbuka at Bloomfield Road.

Town announced that they turned down two offers for the player, but in the end the player decided that he would like to move up the footballing ladder as he leaves with "great memories". Taylor-Fletcher will feature against Town as the Terriers travel to Blackpool during the first week of the new season for the League Cup first round match.

Andy Ritchie said that he wanted to retain Gary at the club, but did not want to stand in his way of playing football at an higher level. Good Luck to him at Blackpool.

The money involved as not been disclosed but it should mean some extra funds for Town manager Andy Ritchie to introduce fresh faces into the Town squad - perhaps a move for former striker Pawel Abbott should have been looked at now!

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Still only 25 years old Abbott has a lot to offer and is an excellent signing for the League Two side and their manager Dave Penney. Penney has bought Abbott for his goalscoring ability and his Town record shows he is very good at that with 51 goals in just 126 appearances.

Abbott featured in just 9 league matches for the Swans scoring once following his move from the Galpharm Stadium for a fee around the £150,000 mark in January 2007.

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Andy Ritchie has turned down an approach from Yeovil Town for skilful midfielder Danny Schofield. 27-year old Scholfield who has been with the Terriers for nine years since his move from Brodsworth Miners Welfare in August 1998 has played in over 200 games for Town scoring 44 times in all competitions.

Doncaster born Schofield who has played on the left wing for the Terriers came to Huddersfield has a striker and that is something that manager Andy Ritchie may look to exploit. The player is happy that Town did not consider accepting a bid for him and Ritchie will be keen to see what he can do in the match day format given Schofield was injured for the latter part of the season since Ritchie's appointment.

The move by the Glovers comes having sold Yeovil midfield duo Chris Cohen and the impressive Aaron Davies to Nottingham Forest in a £1 million deal as Forest look to rebuild following their failed play-off campaign last season.

Yeovil wanted to add Schofield to the recent captures of strikers Paul Warne and Lloyd Owusu with Russell Slade looking to add extra attacking quality to the losing play-off finalists.

Meanwhile two former Town defenders will feature in League Two next season. John McCombe has joined Hereford United whilst Danny Adams has extended his stay at Morecambe.

Ritchie is delighted with the fitness and shape of the players including Chris Brandon - who has heard nothing about a possible transfer to Blackpool the side Town play in the first round of the League cup in Lancashire.

Town's first pre-season match is the season regular with AFC Emley at the Welfare ground on July 18th with the regular season kicking off at the Galpharm Stadium on August 11th.

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June 2007 news archived