By Dave Parker
BRIGHOUSE TOWN’S pre-season programme got off to flying start last Saturday with a 5-0 home win over Sheffield FC, and manager Vill Powell could not have been more pleased.
“I thought we were tremendous and despite the lack of a crowd, the players played with all the intensity and professionalism as if it were the first league game of the season.”
The first half was scoreless and Powell acknowledged with steadier finishing Town could have had several more goals.
“The pleasing thing was that there were numerous chances, which is good, and the players hadn’t been in a competitive game since early March,” he added.
Javelle Clarke and Eddie Church had plenty of space down their flanks and got the ball in to the box, while Josh Grant was really on top of his game in midfield along with Tom Haigh and they also opened up the Sheffield defence. The normally reliable striker Joe Jagger could have had a hat-trick in his 45 minutes.
The manager changed things around for the second period and new striker Eli Hey was on the scoresheet after a minute and was a handful throughout the period. However, the player who stole the show was former Huddersfield Town and Clyde attacking midfielder Jack Boyle who showed superb finishing prowess in the 65th, 80th and 86th minutes to leave visiting keeper Jonathan Hedge, ex-FC Halifax Town, Cambridge United and Grimsby Town clutching fresh air.
A trialist added the third goal in the 71st minute and the committee allowed in were pleased to see Alhassane Keita showing more of the form he is capable of with some good runs and one particular fine ball through the Sheffield defence which brought a goal.
Defensively in both halves Town were sound with keepers Matt Smith and George Clarke having a relatively quiet time, apart from a tip over by Carke, as Kurt Harris, Harrison Beeden and trialists in both halves repelled most of what the South Yorkshire boys could throw at them.
Town’s next home game is scheduled for Tuesday night at home to Huddersfield Town’s U-19 side (7.45), which again, unfortunately, will be behind closed doors. This is followed on Saturday week, August 15 by a visit from Matlock Town (3.0) and Scarborough Athletic come the week after.
Town officials have sent their congratulations to Harrogate Town and their former player of only a season ago, Aaron Martin in winning the Vanarama National League play-off final at Wembley on Sunday. Vill Powell was particularly delighted for his cousin Aaron and his former boss at Harrogate, Simon Weaver.
Town have been informed they will be in the Preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup 2020-21 and that will be drawn on Monday week and the game scheduled for Saturday, September 12. They are also in the Buildbase FA Trophy and the first round for that is Saturday, September 26.
