THREE GAMES in to the 2020/21 season and Brighouse Town are still looking for their first win after their latest 3-0 setback at Marske United last Saturday.
Not the best of conditions with a gale force northerly wind off the sea which prevented both sides getting the ball down for the most part and playing some football.
Town’s goalkeeper Matt Smith was the busier of the two custodians, and, apart from an error for their second goal when he should have denied Curtis Round a through ball from Adam Wheatley, he pulled off some great reflex saves to keep the scoreline down.
The home side went 1-0 up after 10 minutes when Glen Butterworth sent Adam Boyes clear and he made no mistake hitting the target from 12 yards out.
Town hadn’t produced one useful attack on the home goal, but going a goal down did bring them into the game, with Eddie Church and Jack Boyle doing their utmost to bring Town back on level terms.
Eight minutes before half-time Town should have had had a penalty when striker Joe Jagger was manhandled by two players to the floor but referee Jonty Gill just waved his claims away. Two minutes later and Boyle brought a tremendous save with his powerful left foot strike from Ryan Catterick who was to feature shortly afterwards.
On the stroke of half-time, Boyle was brought down in the box and this time Mr Gill pointed to the spot. Jagger picked up the ball but his weak attempt was saved by Catterick, who did spill the ball, and then Jagger, following up, was alleged to have fouled the keeper and was booked.
Marske went 2-0 in the 53rd minute and a minute later Laurence Sorhaindo replaced Jagger as manager Powell looked to pull a goal back and make real game of it in the final 30-odd minutes. Eli Hey replaced Alhassane Keita on 60 minutes and new midfield signing from Belper Town, Jordan Deacey was next on the pitch for Jacob Mattock four minutes later.
Town did go close with Church and Jack Tinker but it was Matthew Tynon who wrapped matters up for Marske with four minutes to go.
Town did miss the midfield tenacity and skill of the suspended Tom Haigh, who will be back in contention for selection on Monday when Runcorn Linnets are the visitors (7.45). The NPL have given clubs with the 10pm curfew on clubhouses, and serving post match food and drinks for the players and match officials, the option of 7pm, 7.15pm or 7.30 kick-offs for midweek games instead of the mandatory 7.45.
On Saturday Town have no game, their turn to sit out with the loss of Droylsden on the eve of the season, but the clubhouse will be open for the televised Leeds Utd v Manchester City game.
