BRIGHOUSE TOWN manager Vill Powell has been very active in the past seven days in signing on several players, taking his players on a bonding session to Chester-le-Street and putting to bed his last two pre-season friendlies with Bradford Park Avenue and Farsley Celtic.
Ahead of the opening NPL East Division league game on Saturday week at home to Gateshead club Dunston he has captured a very exciting winger with an eye for goal who was born in Winnipeg Manitoba and has actually played for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and a forward who was born in Sydney, Australia.
Alexander O’Connor since coming to the Northern Hemisphere has played for Sheffield FC, Rochdale and Hyde United. Those two notable captures join another winger in Marshall Getty who has been with FC Halifax Town’s academy side, Morgan Butcher, a centre-midfielder with FC Halifax’s academy and Bradford club Thackley plus 19-year-old centre-back Harry Wilkinson, younger brother of Joe Wilkinson who has just left Town to join Tadcaster Albion.
“I have at least two more pretty warm irons in the fire which I hope to get over the line by the weekend,” informed Powell.
“One is currently trying to win a contract at a National League club but if that doesn’t come to fruition he is coming to us and I have seven days notice in on a fellow NPL player who is keen to come.”
Town lost their home friendly 5-2 with Mark Bower’s Bradford Park Avenue, but there was little to choose in the first half which ended 1-1, Town scoring an equaliser in the 29th minute through Javelle Clarke. Park Avenue regained the lead a minute into the second half and then added two more goals to make it 4-1 before Town hit back via Mohammed Ibrahim after a strong angled run in on goal by Lawrence Sorhaindo who then crossed for his teammate to steer home. In the last few minutes of the game Park Avenue made it 5-2 to ensure their following in a 170 crowd on a wet night got their moneysworth.
Powell’s charges took part in an It’s A Knockout competition in the Durham town, another way of introducing more competitive edge to the squad who have also been put through their paces at Brighouse gymnasium MP Fitness on Bradford Road.
All eyes in the Town camp and with supporters will be on Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup Extra-Preliminary round tie between North East club Shildon and Garforth Town, the winners then entertaining Powell and his team on Saturday, August 21. Following the Dunston game Town will be away on the Tuesday night at south Yorkshire club Frickley Athletic.
Brighouse Town AFC Women have had an excellent pre-season on the pitch, with a number of new recruits, set to be announced, having contributed towards three wins from three. The first was a 1-0 win at home against Liverpool Feds with a trialist on the score sheet; this was followed up with a resounding 6-0 win away at FC United of Manchester, goals from Amy Woodruff, Leah Embley, Danielle Whitham, Ellie White (2) and a trialist. The final game was a mid week fixture away at Chorley which resulted in a 3-1 win, Embley and Whitham scored again with Ellie Dobson grabbing the third.
Town will be announcing several new signings over the next two weeks as manager Rob Mitchell looks to finalise his squad ahead of the new season. The opening game of the season is a mouth watering game against one of the league favourites; Derby County. The game will take place on Sunday, August 15 at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium HD6 2PL. with a 2pm kick-off.
Town Women have also agreed a sponsorship with Brighouse’s largest employer Quickslide Windows and Doors who have sponsored the men’s team for the past four years.
The company’s Marketing Manager, Denmark-born Sandra Berg, has agreed to see the company name on the back of the team’s home kit.
“We are delighted to be getting on board with the women’s team who will be playing in tier three of the English game and wish Rob Mitchell and his players all the very best for the coming season,” said a delighted Berg.
Town drew their Tuesday night game 2-2 with Farsley Celtic after a very powerful performance.
Town took the lead in the 29th minute through their talented winger Javelle Clarke, but only three minutes later the National League North side had equalised through Sam Walker and that is how it stayed until the break.
In the second half it was a case of wave after wave of Town attacks with Laurence Sorhaindo leading the line and giving Celtic’s defence plenty to think about. Sorhanido could have had a second half hat-trick, shaving a post, having a powerful shot saved and then, after holding off three defenders from 35 yards out, he powerfully placed the ball in the net to make it 2-1.
Celtic equalised with four minutes to go through Adam Clayton in a game refereed by Premier League official John Moss who was full of praise for the Brighouse Town stadium, pitch and facilities.
