A week without a victory from their two games but Brighouse Town thoroughly deserved one at home to Newcastle side Heaton Stannington last Wednesday before having to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw.

It was a different story on the Saturday away to Ossett United when Town went down 4-2, but at 3-2 into the second half and for a good period commanding the game, they could have at least come away with a point before an own goal and then a dismissal on 76  minutes saw them play the game out with 10 men.

Against Heaton Stannington, Town went 2-0 down after the first 15 minutes but fought their way back to 2-1 on the break after a tremendous in-swinging corner from Rhys Plater deceived the visiting keeper.

Town levelled matters in the 64th minute through a great shot again by the in form Plater and they went ahead on 82 minutes when Niah Payne headed in to the net to the delight of the home crowd as they were 3-2 to the good.

However, minutes later the visitors broke from near the half way line and had the left flank to themselves and went up and grabbed the equaliser with keeper Shea Callister on his own. In that second half Town had two chances to score via the hard working Akeel Francis, but unfortunately narrowly missing the target.

At Ossett, Town were on the board after 12 minutes when Plater swung in a cross right across the box and Akeel Francis rose up and expertly headed home.  

Town’s lead last ten minutes before Ossett went 3-1 up with goals from Lewis Stephens, Josh Burns and Joe Crosby.

Town in the second half took the game to Ossett from the off with Myron Gibbon looking very sharp down the right. He was brought down in the box and Francis stepped up to belt home the spot kick and make it 3-2. Town’s good following got behind their team but they had a setback when in the 68th minute Kevy Tarangadzo put through his own net as he desperately tried to stop a goal-bound shot . Eight minutes later he was sent off for after a coming together with an Ossett player.

At 4-2 down and with the loss of their centre half, Town had a mountain now to climb if they were to get anything out of the game. No more goals for either side and Ossett celebrated a very welcome three points in their own relegation battle which continued for Town on Tuesday night at Bridlington.

On Saturday they have another derby game when they travel the short distance to Liversedge (3.0pm).

Manager Grant Black has been trying to strengthen his squad in the past few days as next up after Liversedge is a home game against high flying Emley next Wednesday at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium 7.45pm.                        

Brighouse Town participated in their first action of 2025 last Saturday away to Grimsby Borough, all other games having been postponed.

They came away from the Lincolnshire coast with a 1-1 draw but could easily have won the game had lady luck been on their side.

Town’s players worked their socks off for the whole game and the extra time in both halves.

Before Grimsby got their 42nd minute penalty, Town did have goal bound shot off Akeel Francis glanced onto the cross bar and away to safety.

Grimsby had twice appealed for a penalty but been turned down but on the third occasion it was a stonewall certainty as very promising FC Halifax Town loanee Harvey Coates brought down a striker in the box.

Hull City loanee keeper Shea Callister, who had a superb debut, dived the right way and just got his finger tips to the ball but Sam Topliss’s effort went in.

Town came out for the second half and to be fair bossed certain stages of the game and were unlucky not to equalise on 60 minutes when a shot beat the home keeper and hit the foot of the post.

However nine minutes later they got their just reward when a superb corner from Rhys Player was headed in by Francis who led the line superbly.

Town sniffed a victory but it was not to be but they were worth their point. They lost wing-back Darius Smith with 10 minutes to go with a hamstring injury but it allowed striker Danny Edwards on for his first game back since August through a medial ligament injury.

Town’s supporters gave their heroes a rapturous round of applause has they left the field against a side in eleventh position.

Town travelled to Gateshead on Tuesday night for a re-arranged game with fifth-placed Dunston.

On Saturday they are at home to Newton Aycliffe (3.pm) who are in sixth place, so it doesn’t get any easier as they try to fight their way out of the relegation zone.

In the meantime Town have parted company with experienced goalkeeper Kyle Trennery who fancies his chances at playing back up at a higher level again.

They have also lost wing-back Ethen Vaughan who has signed for League of Ireland club Dundalk United after playing successful trials with them while the cold snap was present over in England.   

Vaughan, 24, the former Norwich City, Burnley, Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United player has gone with manager Grant Black’s blessing and best wishes.

NCEL club Goole Town have come in for defender Jack Durkin who was on the bench at Grimsby as an unused sub. 

Town lost 4-1  away to Dunston on Tuesday night, their consolation goal coming from Matty Nebard in the 82nd minute when his cross-cum-shot evaded the home keeper.

Those who travelled there reckoned  Dunston were the best side we have come up against all season and we had a very thin squad to choose from with injuries and unavailability.