Dave Parker

BRIGHOUSE TOWN returned to the field of play last Saturday with a behind closed doors warm up game against Thackley for a possible return in the next three weeks to spectator-attended League football.

While the League have been in touch this week to say all games are postponed on and up to Saturday, December 19, they have also informed that clubs within the same government imposed tiers on that Saturday date can mutually arrange to play with spectators. Town officials have in the past 24 hours contacted Workington in Tier 2 asking them if they are prepared to come down if Calderdale is lowered back in to Tier 2 after the December 16 reassessment date.

If Calderdale is lowered, then the Boxing Day home game with Tadcaster Albion, already in Tier 2, would be able to go ahead.

“All ifs and buts, but we need to keep our fingers crossed,” said director of football Charlie Tolley, adding:” as these are two real money spinning games for us and also encounters we would like to think we could attain points from.”

Town looked good value for their 2-1 win over Thackley, and had striker Eli Hey had more luck then he would have had at least four goals to his name.

Mytholmroyd farmer Hey has yet to score since his close season move from Colne but he is having some terrible luck with countless blocks, goalkeepers stretching every sinue and the woodwork preventing the ball going in. Committeemen present at the game reckon that once the prolific scorer over the past few seasons breaks his `duck’ then they will come thick and fast.

Town did open the scoring through the experienced Danny Raachi before Town keeper Matt Smith brought down a Thackley striker and Ben Grech-Brooksbank stepped up to level the scores before half-time.

Town were very lively in the opening exchanges in the second half and striker Laurence Sorhaindo was put through on goal, beat a man and then sent a sweet strike into the net and the then 2-1 scoreline stayed despite Hey being a busy bee in the Bradford side’s box.

Town go to Eccleshill United on Saturday lunchtime for a another behind closed game and then on the Tuesday night they go to the Marley Stadium, Keighley for game with Steeton.

Town’s Academy side are playing competitive football under the education banner and last Thursday on resumption of their fixtures played at Skelmersdale United, losing out to a goal in the 70th minute. Today (Thursday 1.00) they are at Ossett United.

MORE GOOD news on the playing front for Brighouse Town with the announcement that left fullback Michael Starkey is back in training after a 14 month absence and looking to some action in the new year.

Starkey, 25, formerly of AFC Emley and Huddersfield Town, suffered a very bad tear of the knee cartilage in the Emirates FA Cup tie with Marske at the start of last season and with having to take his turn in the NHS queue he wasn’t operated on in Dewsbury Hospital until early autumn this year.

“I had keyhole surgery and its been successful and I am now four to six weeks off playing and fully back into training and building up the knee,” said the Newsome-based workhorse defender.

“It is great to be back with the lads again and I can’t wait for a piece of the action.”

Town’s other long term injury worry, Mohammed `TJ’ Ibrahim, was back in action last Saturday after a similar length of time out with a cruciate injury that also needed an operation and he got 20 minutes on the pitch last Saturday for Thackley in Town’s 2-1 win in the warm up game. Striker Ibrahim will have a couple of games on dual registration for the NCEL club but looked well in his time on the pitch, nippy and clinical with his passes.