Chris Forino got an hour’s competitive football into his legs but there were few other plus points as the U21s suffered a crushing second league defeat of the season, writes Pete Oliver.
Forino returned to action as one of four over-age outfield players for the Whites after missing the last six Championship games with a groin injury.
But the defender was unable to prevent Huddersfield going into a 3-0 lead inside the first half-hour at a wind-blown Lostock.
And even though goals from Max Lott and Jack Mawditt either side of the break hinted at a Wanderers’ comeback, Town finished with a flourish to wrap up a victory that could have been even more convincing.
Among the senior players Ryan Hardie was also given another run-out as he looked to build on a lively appearance from the bench in last Friday night’s loss to Liverpool but was withdrawn after just over half an hour with a knock after missing a couple of chances to pull a goal back.
Town - whose side included a a number of players with a handful of first-team appearances this season behind them - had earlier gone in front with a double from Jay Sway as winger Cameron Ashia wreaked havoc and then went three up thanks to a brilliant strike from powerhouse striker Samson Tovide.
Hardie couldn’t reduce the deficit before making way but three minutes before half-time Lott (above) did pull a goal back as he swept the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out following an excellent break-away triggered by Conor Lewis and Fin Wilkinson.
Left-back Mawditt then pulled another one back three minutes into the second half when he swivelled to drive the ball home and Julian Darby’s side looked well placed at that point to complete a comeback.
David Watson curled an effort just over the top but the pressure didn’t last as Town – superbly marshalled by senior professional Jonathan Hogg – hit back to get a crucial fourth goal when substitute Zac Bowker tapped in another cross from the outstanding Ashia.
That all but finished off the Whites, who remain top of the table but suffered a second loss in three league games as Tovide added a fifth with his second of the game and Jahkyah Ebanks Blake completed a victory which would have been greater had Nathan Broome not made a couple of excellent saves and Town converted further chances.
The U21s return to action next Monday night when they face QPR in the Premier League Cup at the Toughsheet Community Stadium (KO 7pm).
Wanderers: Broome; Wilkinson, Paye, Forino (Evans 60), Mawditt (Rice 60); Lott (King 60), Watson, Irwin, Lewis; McAtee (Leigh 60); Hardie (Lawrence 33). Substitutes: Lomax, Clement.
Huddersfield: Bennett, Murray, Tawodzera, Iorpenda (Bowker HT), Togo, Hogg, Schofield, Kasumu (Ebanks Blake 60), Tovide (Shelton 81), Sway, Ashia.
Referee: Tom Wall