By Dave Parker
ALTHOUGH THERE is an air of normality surfacing with the Emirates FA Cup Draw and a date for the start of the Northern Premier League next month- September 19-Brighouse Town continue with their plethora of behind closed doors pre-season friendlies.
On Saturday they entertain Scarborough Athletic (3pm) and next Tuesday EFL new boys Harrogate Town (7.30).
The FA have informed the NPL that club’s can allow between Saturday, August 22 and the 29th 15% of their ground capacity and in Town’s case that is 200 spectators. Details are on the club’s website and also those of Scarborough Athletic and Harrogate Town what spectators of both clubs should do to obtain tickets before they all go.
Tuesday night’s friendly at NCEL club Maltby Main in south Yorkshire was called off as the home side’s landlords would not open the dressing rooms.
Last Saturday, Town entertained Matlock Town who were captained on the day by Siddal-based Reece Kendall who left Town in the closed season for the Derbyshire NPL Premier Division club in what was the locals first ever transfer-fee transaction.
The game turned out to be a stalemate at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium as defences played a major role, with Town’s skipper Kurt Harris and the player alongside him, Harrison Beeden having `blinders’. Along with their teammates and goalkeepers, George Clarke in the first half and a diminutive trialist keeper in the second half, they kept the visitors well in check.
Beeden gets stronger and oozes more quality with each game and you have to question how Championship club Rotherham United could release such a promising teenager.
A smart one-two between Joe Jagger and Tom Haigh, early in the first half, set up former Clyde and Huddersfield Town striker Jack Boyle and he rattled the foot of the post and the Gladiators replied with experienced Callum Chippendale steering a looping header on goal but Clarke dealt with the danger. Javelle Clarke and Alhassane Keita, with their pace and skill, ran Matlock ragged at times and there was real skill from Haigh and Josh Grant.
Alex Burn put in a great cross early in the second half for the visitors but Louis Potts put his shot wide. It was end-to-end football on a great surface and in the dying minutes both sides had a chance to break the stalemate. Spencer Harris whipped in a free kick and it met the head of Kade Coppin but Town’s keeper dealt with, while at the other end Eli Hey escaped his markers and turned just inside the box and his left foot shot just went narrowly wide of the keeper’s near post.
Three clean sheets in the first three games and manager Vill Powell was delighted with the commitment and football on show from his young charges against a much more experienced side.
“Everyone of the players turned up today and put in a real shift and I am particularly pleased with our defence, while we are also creating chances at the other end.”
Brighouse-based midfielder Jake Lawlor will return on Tuesday with Harrogate to his first ever club. Lawlor signed last week for the newly promoted club after being one of eleven players to leave Wrexham who he joined from Guiseley two seasons ago. Lawlor, well known to Town fans, has sold his share in a Bradford fitness centre and gone full time with Simon Weaver’s side.
Town will travel on Saturday, September 12 to the winners of the Runcorn Town v Thackley Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round on September 1, while in the Buildbase FA Trophy second round qualifying, Town are away to Kendal Town on October 17.
