Dave Parker
BOTH BRIGHOUSE Town men and women management teams have been busy sorting some post end of season matches to keep their players together.
The men’s Yorkshire Trophy inspired competition gets underway on Monday, May 17 when spectators are allowed in for the first time with a home tie against Penistone Church (7.30). They will be allowed 675 paying spectators in at £5 and £3 for concessions and then on the Wednesday they will play Liversedge away who lost 2-1 with several former Town players in their ranks last Saturday in the Buildbase FA Trophy 4th round away to Hebburn Town and on the Saturday, May 22 away to Wakefield City, before entertaining Golcar United on May 29. The top two clubs will then play in the final at Town’s Yorkshire Payments Stadium on May 31.
While Town have a behind closed doors friendly with Golcar United tomorrow night (7.30), Town Women on Sunday will entertain two sides from Bradford City at 2pm on both pitches, while on May 2 they will host Doncaster Rovers Belles and on May 9 Sheffield United. Huddersfield Town, who only just beat them on penalties last Sunday week in the 3rd round, moved into the last eight of the Vitality FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Derby County Ladies.
Former Town midfielder Iwan Heeley helped his local side North Ferriby into the last eight of the FA Vase with a 4-0 win over West Auckland.
Town will begin their pre-season friendlies with an away game at Golcar on July 3, followed by Penistone Church and Sheffield FC away, before Harrogate Town are the visitors for the first home game on July 17 after pitch maintenance. Bradford City follow on the 21st and then Matlock Town on July 24.
Town are also in talks with York City manager Steve Watson about a home game and there are matches also arranged with Worksop Town and Eccleshill United.
Spectators can be allowed in to Town’s ground this lunchtime (Thursday) socially distanced for an Academy game between Town and Skelmersdale United (12.00) as it is classed as grassroots football.
In the meantime Town are looking for assistance in kit washing and ground duties for a few hours a week after losing long term Steve Ambler who is currently caring for his wife. General manager Darren Laycock can be contacted at the ground.
