By Georgia Cook
It was a dark and cold monday night at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium, with the visitors Runcorn Linnets making the hour’s drive to West Yorkshire. It was captain Kurt who lead the home side out whilst Peter Wylie lead out the opposition.
Eddie Church created the first eye catching moment of the game in the third minute when a ball into the box allowed Khan to create space to shoot but unfortunately he was unable to take a touch and it went out for a goal kick.
After an excellent ball by Grant to Sorhaindo, this allowed the striker to turn and shoot but it went over the bar and Brighouse missed out on an early chance to take the lead. Runcorn looked to have their first chance of the game when a ball was played through to Iwan Murray but he was caught offside. They had another chance just 4 minutes later in the 11th minute when Jacques Welsh was able to get round Grant to fire a shot that went over the bar.
In the 25th minute a miskick from the home team allowed the ball to land at Murray’s feet but the shot was blocked and went out for a throw in. This could have been a crucial counter attack for the away side but the Brighouse defence was quick to retaliate. Brighouse were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, however as both teams were getting ready to attack and defend, the linesman called the referee over. Shiraz Khan was then sent off for an off the ball incident and the reason is yet to be confirmed. Once they could take the free kick it was Sorhaindo who fired it over the bar. But four minutes later in the 38th minute, Eddie Church was able to take a shot due to the keeper committing himself early allowing the ball to roll past the defenders into the bottom left and put the
home side in front. A very good goal.
Just one minute later Josh Grant booted the ball and somehow landed it in the back of the net from the half way line! An astonishing goal by the midfielder and I don’t think by the looks of things he could believe it went in either. A superb strike! Runcorn’s Josh Brizell went down in the penalty area on the half way mark but referee Lewis Dawson waved the appeal away and continued play.
Half time: Brighouse Town 2 Runcorn Linnets 0
Runcorn came out looking to try and get back in the game and in the first minute Louis Hayes took a touch and once again fired it over the bar.
But it was Brighouse Town who were wanting to steal the three points and seal the deal in the 51st minute when Tinker’s superb thrown in to Sorhaindo allowed him to slip the ball to Church who cleverly took it round the defender and scored in the right side of the net. An excellent team goal.
The reaction on Jack Tinker’s face was one to remember. The passion shone through. Runcorn’s James Short was fouled and a penalty was awarded to the away side, Kurt Sherlock fired the ball past Matt Smith and got a goal back for them.
In the 70th minute referee Lewis Dawson sadly pulled his hamstring and had to go off the pitch. With there being no fourth official due to COVID 19, our very own media manager Sir Damian Wales had to go on and save the day. With the referee now Keiran Dawson and linesmen now Anthony Murphy and Damian Wales the game was able to continue. Brighouse were almost caught out when a scramble in the box forced keeper Matt Smith to softly punch the ball away allowing Iwan Murray to take a shot but put it wide. Matt Smith produced an excellent save in the 91st minute when a powerful shot looked to be going down the centre of the goal was blocked by his legs and his hands punching the ball away.
A minute later things got worse for Runcorn when manager Callum McIntyre was sent off after a clash with the linesman.
However in the 95th minute a free kick 25 yards out allowed Brizell to grab another goal for the away side and bring hope to the game. The ball went top left and it was a technically excellent goal. Some form of miracle happened for Runcorn when in the 97th minute with a minute to go, Iwan
Murray was caught in the penalty area and the penalty was given. Sherlock took this one too and managed to find the equaliser in the bottom right.
Brighouse Town played some excellent football tonight and that is something we shouldn’t take away; it is looking promising for the continuation of the season.
