By Dave Parker
BRIGHOUSE TOWN are still looking for that first elusive victory of the new season after a dramatic 3-3 home draw with Runcorn Linnets on Monday night in front of a 346 crowd.
Town, despite having Shiraz Khan sent off in the 34th minute for alleged stamping in retaliation to an unpunished first offence by a Runcorn player, went 2-0 up with ten men ahead of half-time and made that 3-0 in the 51st minute.
Two minutes after the dismissal by Halifax referee Lewis Dawson after consultation with an assistant, Eddie Church weaved his way in from the left and then steered the ball past Paddy Wharton. Three minutes later Eli Hey chased a long ball and beat his defender before Wharton came out of his goal to challenge and the ricochet off the keeper spun to Josh Grant some 35 yards out who just neatly lobbed the ball into an empty net.
Runcorn were stunned, and so were the home supporters, at the superb response by a weakened Town team, and they were to be shocked further when play came down the right for Town in the 51st minute with Laurence Sorhaindo prominent and with Tom Haigh they got a ball out to Church coming in from the left who then from 18 yards out curled a tremendous shot beyond the reach of Wharton.
Unfortunately for Town five minutes later they gave away a penalty and Kurt Sherlock sent it past Matt Smith to make it 3-1.
With under 10 minutes to play Mr Dawson puled up injured and an appeal went out to the crowd for a qualified referee to take over on the line.
After some consultation on the touchline, Town’s media manager Damian Wales, a qualified referee, took over, with Keiran Dawson (no relation) going into the middle.
As play went into added time of nine minutes, Town were holding on with fresh legs having come on in the second period through Jack Boyle, Jordan Deacey and Alhassane Keita. However, in the 95th minute as the visitors threw everything at Town’s defence, Runcorn full-back Josh Brizzell unleashed a shot which just beat a diving Smith.
Then, there was more controversy as Mr K. Dawson went to the Runcorn bench and sent off one of their officials for continued verbal comments about the match official. With just a minute left of added on time, the visitors were awarded their second penalty and Sherlock made no mistake to level the scores.
In the game Town had four bookings and a sending off and surprisingly not one Runcorn player saw a card.
Town’s assistant manager Stacy Reed, whose teenage son Sam Reed made his debut at fullback, said the final result was like a defeat after what had been achieved ahead of the extensive `Fergie Time”.
On Saturday, Town entertain City of Liverpool (3.0) and then again on Monday night Dunston from Gateshead are the visitors (7.45).
They should have been away on the Saturday but the Liverpool City authorities, with their well publicised covid problems, have closed the Bootle stadium for two weeks.
The Match sponsor is TOG24 clothing www.tog24.com
Match ball sponsor – Lightcliffe Cricket Club Under 11s
Man of the Match sponsor – Brighouse Juniors FC Under 11s
There will also be some TOG24 products thanks to Mr Paul Ramsden for the Man of the Match.
