THREE SECOND half goals in nine minutes from the Hebburn Town strikeforce ensured Brighouse Town did not kick-off their NPL East season on a winning note.
The first half ebbed and flowed with both sides at times holding the upper hand but there were no goals despite some goalmouth action.
On a hot and humid afternoon the players took advantage of waterbreaks. They went in at half-time goalless but it was Brighouse who took the lead in the 61st minute through Bradford City loanee Bobby Pointon who got hold of the ball just outside the six yard box and then sent Hebburn keepoer Shaun Newbrook the wrong way.The lead lasted 13 minutes before substitute Sean Reid was left unmarked to head home from a cross from the left.
Four minutes later and Liam Murray had given his side the lead before Oliver Martin in the 83rd minute made sure the trhree points were on their way back to the north east.
With injuries and unavailability the Brighouse side was a youthful one and in the last quarter of the second half it really did look like men versus boys.
After the game manager Vill Powell said his side was `too soft’.
No-nonsense midfielder Corey Gregory said ahead of the game he was still four weeks away from being fully fit after his ankle ligament damage from the end last season, but striker Laurence Sorhaindo felt he would be fit for the Penistone Church Emirates FA Cup Preliminary round tie at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium on Saturday (3.0).The south Yorkshire side have played three NCEL Premier Division games so far and last Saturday beat Golcar United 1-0 to register their second win. To visit Town they beat Lower Breck of Anfield 2-0 in the Extra Preliminary round tie and they will be no pushover despite being a league lower at Step 5. Town fans are also desperate for a cup run.
If the tie is level after 90 minutes the replay will be next Wednesday night, August 25 (7.45).
That would rule out Monday’s home league game Town have with County Durham side Shildon (7.45). However, even if Town win and Shildon drew their cup game with Newcastle Benfield, the Monday night game would be off.
A lot of ifs and buts that can only be sorted out around 5pm on Saturday teatime.
Tues 16.08.22 KO 7.45pm Stocksbridge PS 1 v 1 Brighouse Town Att 141
Brighouse Town had to settle for a point after conceding a 90th minute equaliser to Stocksbridge PS, and although bitterly disappointed not to see the game out and collect maximum points, Vill Powell conceded a draw was probably a fair result.
The first half started at a frantic pace with both sides electing not to take any risks on the ball on a difficult surface, opting to go long, turn the defence and try play in the oppositions half. The first real chance came after 4 min when Charlie Oglesby had a header saved by Town keeper Michael Roxburgh and soon after Town had a penalty shout turned down when Jack Normanton looked to be dragged down in the area.
To sum up what was basically a fairly uneventful first half; Town had more of the ball and territorial advantage without really creating a clear cut chance and Stocksbridge’s more direct style did test Roxburgh on a couple of occasions but he proved up to the task.
Town clearly started the second half under instructions to start using the ball more and were rewarded for their endeavours almost immediately. Bradford City loanee, Bobby Pointon scoring a superb individual goal; picking the ball up near the half way line, turning away from two would be tackles before going on a run toward the box and leaving defenders in his wake before slotting a low shot into the corner of the net to give Town a 48th min lead. Town were now dominating but couldn’t get that potentially decisive second goal with Pointon, Normanton and Mo Quasim all going close.
Midway through the half, Stocksbridge started to get back into the game and put Town under pressure. Tom Poole came close to equalising from a free kick that grazed the outside of the post. The pressure finally paid off when the impressive Lewis Macaskill worked his way to the byline and crossed for the unmarked Jordan Lemon to take a touch and drill the ball into the far corner of the net for the equaliser.
