BRIGHOUSE TOWN’S dismal run in the FA Cup continued last Saturday on the banks of the river Mersey when they lost 5-4 on penalties after the game with Runcorn Town ended in a 1-1 draw.
In normal times that would have meant a replay but not under current covid FA rulings, it was straight into penalties and Vill Powell’s men came up against keeper Adam Reid who saved three vital spot kicks.
Town could easily have been 3-0 up at the break for again Reid saving twice from Eddie Church and a Jack Boyle free kick being deflected away for a corner at the very last second.
It wasn’t until the 74th minute, after three changes made by Powell, Town got the first goal when, after pressure on the home goal saw Church finally get the ball over the line. Protests followed by the home players despite the assistant referee seeing it had gone over the line by at least a metre and as a result Joe Holt was shown a red card.
Down to 10 men, and with Powell asking his players to give him width, it was Runcorn who three minutes later came up the left and with no defence “at home” Marcus James cut in to the box and easily beat Matt Smith to level matters.
That is how it stayed until the final whistle ahead of the penalty shoot-out.
Tom Haigh, Joe Jagger, Joe Wilikinson and Shiraz Khan hit the target for Town but it was not enough as the home side were more accurate despite a good save from Smith for their second attempt.
So, out of the cup once more with their first outing and now its the North West Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League and the FA Trophy that is left for Town this term.
On Saturday, Town entertain Clitheroe who have beaten FC Halifax Town 2-1 in a pre-season friendly but then lost 1-0 to Warrington club Rylands 1906 in their preliminary round tie last Saturday.
At this moment in time the Bill Dyson Skip Hire sponsored game has a capacity of 405 with entrance on a first come first served basis after the Lancashire club asked for 100 tickets. Turnstiles will be open at 1.30pm and it is hoped the newly extended and decorated clubhouse and food kitchen is fully up and running in time for the game. Admission prices this season, see adults now paying £9 instead of £8 and concessions remain the same at £5.
There were no injuries in the game at Runcorn and it is expected that Alihassane keita will be up for selection after missing the game and also at the same time getting married.
Town have moved back their Tuesday night away game with Marske United that was set for September 29 to Saturday, September 26 at 3pm.
