Brighouse Town, minus the services of quality players Curtis Peters (injured) and Cameron Bedford (virus) saw Sheffield claim a double at the home of Gainsborough Trinity last Saturday with a goal in each half.
The Northern Premier League management had made Sheffield leave their ground owing to its waterlogged state in midweek and play the match elsewhere. The Sheffield management had wanted to forgo home advantage and play the match at Town’s Heffernan Utilities Stadium but that was turned down and so they moved 45 miles away to the Northolme Stadium, home of the Northern Premier League club and paid £850 rental as a result.
The pitch, on the banks of river Trent, was in excellent condition but the time kick off came the early morning sunshine had gone in and there was a cold, swirling wind and despite this `lush green carpet’ both sides played a lot of ariel balls.
Town, playing towards the river end, had the better of the opening stages but it was Sheffield who took the lead in the seventh minute when Town defenders failed to take out a lofted ball to experienced ex-Belper Town striker Cameron Johnson who just volleyed home from 25 yards out to leave Jamie Hassall grasping fresh air!
Matthew Nebard and Samuel Drake worked hard on the right for Town and Myron Gibbons had the beating of his man for pace but nothing came to fruition. It was out of the left where Brandon Webster, Josh Grant and Jack Wilson caused problems for the `home’ side but the end product was into the side netting instead of the goal.
Leading scorer Mo Qasim did not look himself and never won a ball in the air and he also failed to find the net when well placed in the box after coming in from the left. Manger Vill Powell revealed after the game he had a knee problem and that was why he was subbed midway through the second half by Kieron Ceesay.
Wilson also had the beating of his man and he got some crosses in and also a cracking second half shot from the edge of the box that just swerved away from the post at the last minute.
He was substituted by Jack Normanton late in the second half and very little time to show his skills. Town were still looking for the equaliser and Gibbons sent in a great ball but Drake’s shot was taken in his bread basket by Edd Hall, the former Town keeper.
Then came a sickening blow when they gave away a penalty in the 79th minute as Ash Butterworth was alleged by referee Arran Williams from Elland to have brought down Johnson. He got up, dusted himself down and then whacked in the spot kick to which Hassall at least got his hands to.
This was Town’s fourteenth defeat in 30 games and with eight games left they only have Ossett United between them and the bottom two, namely Winterton Rangers and Grantham Town. Town have a stiff run in commencing on Saturday with a home game against Hebburn who put six past them on March 5 at their Newcastle base.
Hebburn, who beat Bridlington last Saturday, are third in the table behind leaders Stockton and Dunston.
The match, played on Non League Day and also an attraction for Groundhoppers with no Premier League or Championship matches being played owing to the international break, is being sponsored by Rastrick Cricket Club who get behind the club each season.
