BRIGHOUSE TOWN left it late on Monday night to get their second win of the season after a frustrating home 1-1 draw with Pontefract Collieries on the Saturday.
Shiraz Khan latched on to a superb cross into the box from Mohammed Ibrahim in the 90th minute and it was 1-0 and three points but Town were lucky after a nightmare first half and some nervy moments in the second half which could have seen them lose or at best draw the game.
Within two minutes midway through the first half the Town goal first of all on 26 minutes survived when Matthew Nebard kicked an Andy Norfolk strike off the line, with keeper Brett Souter stranded, for a corner and then the Bridlington Town player manager Brett Agnew headed home strongly from a Leon Dawson cross on the right but the assistant had his flag up for a very close call of offside.
In a disjointed first half and with some poor passing in the second half Brighouse allowed their visitors to play on the front foot and at times cause them and their supporters in the 311 crowd some anxious moments.
Centre back Harry Wilkinson came on at half-time for Nebard who had retired with hamstring problems and it was fellow substitutes Jack Boyle and Ibrahim who pepped things up somewhat after James Hurtley had shaved a post with a rasping 30-yarder.
Assistant manager Stacy Reed came off the pitch at the end and commented:” A win is a win, although that was rather ugly at times.”
Town through a work call to striker Laurence Sorhaindo and a mouth injury to their skipper Danny Racchi had made tthree changes from the Pontefract game with also Boyle was on the bench.
Town, after what could be referred to as an indifferent first half against Pontefract, did take the lead in the 50th minute when Boyle beat two defenders on the right and then whipped in a ball that met the head of midfielder Tom Haigh who headed home surrounded by four defenders. Thirteen minutes later and the visitors were level after Vaughan Redford headed in off a post to thwart Souter after a fine move down the left that went unchecked.
The Pontefract line was being well led by former Mytholmroyd-based Town player Eli Hey who was booked in the 65th minute and then five minutes later saw his midfielder Jamie Williams sent off for an alleged violent attack on Town’s skipper Danny Racchi who also received a caution for retaliating.
It was a frenetic remaining 20 minutes plus added time as Town, hoping to make use of the extra man, did throw themselves forward but Pontefract defended well and also attacked at the other end before referee Garry Fletcher-Tindall blew time to what was a frustrating game.
Town have no game this Saturday owing to Hebburn Town being away to York City in the 2nd qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup. The rearranged date is very much looking like Monday, 19th October 7.45. just awaiting the NPL management are happy with the arrangements between the two clubs..
In the meantime Town have been drawn at home to Knaresborough Town in the first round of the West Riding County Cup and are trying to fix a date with their Northern Counties East Premier Division opponents. Brighouse have put Monday November 1st to Knaresborough and await their confirmation.
Their next meaningful action will be on Saturday week when they travel to Widnes in the Buildbase FA Trophy qualifying round. There will be a replay if the sides are level on 90 minutes.
Brighouse Town have been informed by the FA disciplinary Committee that their appeal against Brett Souter’s red card against Pickering last week has been successful and he will not now serve a suspension.
