FOLLOWING TWO what can only be described as two frustrating results for Brighouse Town on the commencement of their 2021-22 Pitching-In Northern Premier League East Division season, this Saturday they switch their attentions to the Emirates FA Cup.

Town drew 0-0 at home to Gateshead club Dunston last Saturday and then lost 2-1 in south Yorkshire to Frickley Athletic on Tuesday night.

Against Dunston Town were thwarted after 12 minutes when striker Laurence Sorhaindo buried the ball in the net only to see the assistant referee’s flag go up.

Both clubs had their chances in the first half and Town survived an anxious moment when Matty Nebard headed off the line following keeper Brett Souter being stranded just outside the box.

In the second half Town should have had a penalty when Mossimo Ciccarelli was pushed over the box but referee Majid Ali waved their claims away.

At the other end the match official also turned down three penalty appeals by Dunston, who also had two free kicks in dangerous areas but fluffed their lines when taking them.

After the goalless draw manager Vill Powell said he was particularly disappointed in the first half work in the final third but was more pleased with the way the side worked hard in the second half and in the defensive area.

On Tuesday at South Elmsall, Town were a goal down against the run of play after 14 minutes when Kieran Wells took advantage of a defensive error and then picked his spot to beat Souter.

Within three minutes Town had equalised through Sorhaindo who headed in from six yards out from a corner out on the right.

Town’s energetic efforts and playing up the slight slope against the strong wind looked as though a second goal could be on the cards but it was the home side who in the 34th minute took the lead from a set piece almost on the dead ball line to Souter’s right. Straight from the training ground the ball via a snappy one-two was played into six yard box and Brad Wells was there to poke the ball home and the 2-1 scoreline stayed that way to half-time.

In the second half Town had at least half a dozen chances to take the lead and then secure the game but their finishing was woeful.

Thomas Haigh was clear on goal and seven metres out only had Frickley keeper Jake Askew to beat but he scuffed his shot and the home side breathed a sigh of relief. Sorhaindo, Danny Racchi and Mossimo Ciccarelli had good chances to bury the ball in the net after their side had played the only football in the second half and the score remained 2-1 at the final whistle.

Frickley only went into the Town half around half-a-dozen times in the second half and Powell was clearly frustrated along with his assistants Stacy Reed and John Francis as they walked off at the end. Reed shouted: “I don’t believe what I have seen there.”

The finishing aspect of their game will have to improve away to Durham club Shildon on Saturday (3.0) in the preliminary round of the FA Cup or there will be no progress in this year’s competition like last term when Town went out after extra time and penalties at Runcorn.

This season its back to replays if there is a draw and Town will, if they draw, after postpone Monday’s planned home league game with Sheffield FC (7.45) to play the replay. That could also be the case if Sheffield draw their BBC televised home tie on the red button and iplayer with Sherwood Colliery (12.30). At least under the pump club officials on not knowing what game they will be preparing for will have one possible hurdle out of the way if there is a result in that tie before they kick off against the current joint league leaders Shildon.

The newly promoted club from the EBAC Northern League have beaten Pickering 4-0 last Saturday and then Dunston 2-0 in their derby game on Tuesday night. Liversedge, another newly promoted club, are also unbeaten as are Frickley Athletic, Town are in 10th place going into the tie.

Town will be checking tonight (Thursday) on Haigh who went off in the 79th minute with severe cramp, central defenders Harrison Beeden (head injury) and James Hurtley (hamstring) plus wide player Mohammed Ibrahim who retired in the 42nd minute of Saturday’s game with an ankle injury and missed the Frickley game.

In the meantime, Pickering have made an inquiry for the services of wide player Alhassane Keita who is currently playing in the NCEL Premier Division for Leeds club Albion Sports to gain some game time and match fitness.

The coach for Shildon leaves the club car park at 11am and the fare is £10.00