By Georgia Cook
Halloween does nothing but scream thriller after Brighouse Town were invited back into the FA Trophy after the disqualification of Kendal Town after a breach of FA rules. Brighouse Town were previously knocked out by The Mintcakes after the 1-0 defeat down at Parkside road. West Yorkshire side Brighouse Town invited the Derbyshire team to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium on Saturday 31st October 2020 for a 3pm kick off.
The game was evenly contested in the early exchanges, with both teams trying to get into the game and there was lots of possession in the middle third of the pitch.
In the 8th minute a quick one-two from a Buxton corner, forced keeper Matt Smith to come off his line to collect the ball but whilst doing so he dropped the ball into a dangerous area – however James Hurtley was able to pick the ball up and drive up the left side of the pitch and play a ball into Eli Hey who took a shot from16 yards out, but his effort was blocked and that was the first chance of the game for the home side.
Brighouse went looking for the first goal of the game yet again just four minutes after but this time it was Alhasanne Keita who had his shot blocked on the edge of the box.
Buxton had their first chance of the game in the 19th minute after a pass from midfield allowed Diego De Griolamo to take a shot on the edge of the box which went just wide of the keepers left hand post.
The away side were on the attack just one minute later but this time it was Tom Elliott who drove through the Brighouse defence taking the ball round the keeper and registering a shot on goal, but Joe Wilkinson was there to clear the ball off the line and out of danger however Elliot may feel he probably should of scored.
The chances kept on coming for the away side when in the 22nd minute Walshaw tried to play the ball to Reece King on his right but the pass was too heavy, just moments later King had a shot 30 yards out but this time it went over the bar.
In the 29th minute De Griolamo turned and had a shot from the edge of the box causing Smith to scramble across the goal to see the ball roll out for a goal kick.
Diego De Griolamo was clearly at the races for Buxton as another chance fell to him in the 31st minute, when he had a shot at Smith who was able to produce a very good block to keep the score line at 0-0.
Half time Brighouse Town 0 Buxton FC 0.
Both sides returned to the pitch for the second half but as they did it began to drop cold and the extra layers were on.
Tom Haigh had the first chance of the second half when his shot from 30 yards out bounced in front of the ex-Brighouse Town keeper Tommy Taylor who punched it out for a corner.
In the 52nd minute Keita headed the ball just wide of the post after a nice cross in by Javelle Clarke.
One minute later a free kick for Buxton 20 yards out allowed Matt Kilgallon to whip the ball into the box with Matt Smith once again coming off his line and after a poor punch he managed to get down and collect the ball at the second attempt.
However it was Buxton who got the breakthrough in the 55th minute, after a long ball forward James Walshaw looped the ball over an on rushing Smith who committed himself and the ball bounced into the back of the net giving the visitors the lead.
In the 63rd minute Brighouse went in search of an equaliser, a ball into the box allowed Hey to take a shot that was blocked once again four yards out but Captain Kurt’s follow upshot and powered it over the bar 4 yards out. The biggest chance of the game for the home side.
In the 73rd minute there was a huge penalty appeal from the Brighouse Town players and also the fans after substitute Jack Boyle was clipped in the box, but the referee was quick to ignore it and play continued.
Buxton were soon back on the attack through Walshaw whose effort from from the edge of the area was deflected past the post for a corner.
In the 85th minute Buxton substitute Reece Styche crossed a ball into the box and Elliott was a yard out and managed to put the ball wide of the post, however substitute Boyle was called into help out his fellow defenders and showcased some excellent defending and after being trodden on several times, he managed to prevent a second goal.
Buxton were looking to get a second when Styche had a shot 30 yards out which went just over the bar. With an additional 3 minutes to be played, Buxton were on the front foot and sealed the win in the 92nd minute. after a drive up the pitch by Elliott, he squared the ball to substitute Styche, who dinked the ball over Smith to round off the proceedings and put Brighouse out of the FA Trophy at the Third Qualifying stage.
