Izzy Brown’s goal four minutes before the break has given Huddersfield a 1-0 lead over the Blues at the John Smith’s Stadium at half-time.
Jordan Spence was handed his Town debut, while Andre Dozzell, Kevin Bru and Freddie Sears all returned to the Blues line-up having been left out of the starting XI at Lincoln on Tuesday. Dean Gerken kept his place in goal with Bartosz Bialkowski unwell.
The Blues continued with their 3-5-2 system with skipper Luke Chambers in the centre at the back between Paul Digby on the right and Christophe Berra on the left.
New boy Spence was the right wing-back with Josh Emmanuel dropping to the bench. Jonas Knudsen continued on the left.
In midfield, Dozzell and Bru joined Cole Skuse with Jonathan Douglas and Grant Ward among the subs. Tom Lawrence started up front with Sears, who replaced Leon Best, who was left out of the 18.
Town’s other new signing Kieffer Moore was on the bench, alongside Tristan Nydam, who TWTD revealed was set to travel with the squad on Friday.
The 17-year-old midfielder was with the first-team squad for the first time for a competitive match, although having come on as a sub in the pre-season match at Cambridge, and was handed squad number 45. Michael Crowe was the sub keeper.
Huddersfield were without key midfielder Aaron Mooy, due to a back injury, while new German striker Collin Quaner's clearance didn’t come through in time for him to be involved.
The Blues, wearing their Barcelona-style third kit, started brightly and Lawrence curled a third minute freekick into the arms of Terriers keeper Danny Ward after he’d been fouled by Jonathan Hogg a couple of yards outside the area to the left.
The home side made a scruffy start but on 11 Elias Kachunga hit a low shot from the edge of the box which Gerken saved comfortably.
Huddersfield began to get their passing going and in the 15th minute Terriers skipper Tommy Smith crossed from the right and Gerken pushed Kachunga’s far post header onto the roof of the net.
On 21 Berra blocked a van La Parra strike after the Dutchman had cut in from the left, referee Andy Davies waving away ambitious appeals for a penalty. Soon after Kachunga headed Brown’s right-wing cross over from close range but with the linesman’s flag raised.
Huddersfield had been on top but up to then without being able to create many serious chances, but on the half hour Spence won the ball on the right and found Sears on the other flank with a raking pass. The former West Ham man brought the ball in on goal before hitting a shot which flew over Ward’s bar.
But the Terriers were still having most of the ball and on 34 van La Parra sent over a deep cross from the left but Kachunga’s header was too close to Gerken, who claimed.
On 37 Bru stole possession on the left and crossed to Lawrence, whose shot struck a Huddersfield player and deflected to Ward. The on-loan Leicester man appealed for a penalty but again referee Davies wasn’t interested.
A minute later, Huddersfield failed to deal with a Sears cross from the right and debutant Spence sent over a subsequent low ball from the same flank which flew across the six-yard box but with no Town player there to add the final touch.
Four minutes before the break Huddersfield went in front. Brown took a ball in to feet midway inside the Town half, turning a defender as he did so. The on-loan Chelsea man then brought the ball forward unchallenged before planting a 20-yard strike past Gerken.
The home side deserved their lead at half-time having been the better side having taken charge after a sluggish start, although without ever dominating in the manner that they have on occasion this season.
Prior to the goal, there hadn’t been too many clear-cut chances but Brown, who was on loan with Rotherham until earlier in the month, grabbed his first Huddersfield goal with great confidence.
The Blues had had a couple of opportunities, mainly on the break, but nothing clear-cut and an improvement is required in the second half if they are to avoid an already thoroughly disappointing week ending with a defeat.
Huddersfield: Ward, Smith (c), Hefele, Schindler, Löwe , Hogg, Billing, Kachunga, Van La Parra, Brown, Wells. Coleman, Whiteheas, Hudson, Bunn, Cranie, Lolley, Stankovic.
Town: Gerken, Spence, Digby, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru, Dozzell, Lawrence, Sears. Subs: Crowe, Emmanuel, Douglas, Nydam, Ward, Moore, Pitman. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).