BRIGHOUSE TOWN surrendered a two goal lead at Pickering Town on Tuesday night, the equalising goal coming in the twelfth minute of added on time after controversial circumstances. What rubbed salt into the wound even more was the fact that both goalscorers for the Pikes were former Brighouse players!
Once Brighouse had settled down on the undulating pitch they took control and were rewarded in the 29th minute with a thunderous strike from Lawrence Sorhaindo collecting a through ball out on the left and then when just in the box unleashing a shot to beat Adam Kelsey.
It remained 1-0 at the break although the visitors had more chances to increase the lead through Jack Boyle and James Hurtley.
Brighouse began the second half playing some lovely football and giving the home defence nightmares and their reward came in the 55th minute when Tom Haigh played a lovely angled ball over the top and Javelle Clarke latched on to it at the far post and rifled home.
However, four minutes later and the home side had pulled one back as Alhassane Keita beat three defenders out on the left and then unleashed a screamer to beat Brett Souter.
Nine minutes later and Brighouse’s attacking rhythm was broken as the impressive Sorhaindo had to leave the field with a head injury. He was replaced by Zeph Thomas and six minutes later Clarke was replaced by Mohammed Ibrahim. The visitors looking for game management to see out the game 2-1 up suffered a big blow in the 80th minute when referee David Holmes award the home side a penalty.
Wayne Brooksby had his penalty attempt saved by Brett Souter down at his far post, but the linesman informed the referee he had been off his line and Mr Holmes asked for it to be taken again. A home player appeared to kick out at Souter who was hugging the ball and then the player fell to the ground in front of Souter and the referee who showed Town’s keeper a red card.
At the same time Town’s skipper Danny Racchi was shown a second yellow card for a further caution and he was sent off as well reducing Town to nine men. With no stewards to shepherd Souter and Racchi to the dressing rooms an altercation broke out and Town officials were yesterday looking at footage for a possible appeal on Souter’s dismissal and alleged physical attacks on Racchi.
Tall midfielder Elliot Harrison went into goal for the first time in his career and was very calm and collected in keeping the home side out. Harrison lined up to face his first penalty-the retake-but he needn’t have worried as Jackson Jowett, now in the 84th minute, blazed well over the bar.
There was no announcement of added time and Town manager Vill Powell was asking the referee who only replied to say there was two minutes left but in the fourth minute after that fact Pickering’s Devonte Morton scrambled the ball just over the line from a corner as 12 minutes added time approached on the clock.
Town’s players and officials did not enter the pavilion for an after match meal and were escorted in a group to the car park of which NPL official were being notified yesterday.
Town on Saturday entertain Pontefract Collieries (3pm) and on Monday night Bridlington Town (7.45) will be the visitors. Their September 18 away game at Hebburn Town has been postponed with the Newcastle side progressing in the FA Cup.
Former Town manager and Brooksbank, Elland schoolmaster Paul Quinn has left Tadcaster Albion to become academy manager at Sheffield United.
Town’s youthful academy side fell at the first hurdle of the FA Youth Cup against a bigger, stronger Farsley Celtic team last Wednesday evening. Town got off to a horror start when conceding early on after a long ball over the top caused a defensive mix up. They did level the score on the half hour mark when Paul Ikoe controlled an aerial through ball before slotting home.
Manager Simon Ward said the message to the players at half- time was to manage the re-start by developing more composure in possession, and pressing ferociously out of possession. This was thwarted, however, with goals for the opposition in the 50th 70th minute marks. Town hit back late on after excellent work by Bobby Hamer who created a chance for vice-captain Kian Butterworth to fire home, albeit too little too late for our lads who can hold their heads up high competing against an older, more experienced and physical side. Five of the team were invited to train with the first team on the back of the performance and took part in a training game last Saturday with Vill Powell’s men.
There will be a Memorial and Celebration game next Wednesday night at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium (7.0) between Brighouse Town U14s and Bradford City U14s in memory of Brighouse High School student Tomi Solomon aged 13 who drowned in the river Calder on June 1.
Tomi, born in Leiden in the Netherlands, was Bradford City academy player for the past three years and very highly thought of and so much so they have retired the No8 shirt right across the Bantams’ academy.
He was a friend of the Andy Pearson coached U14s team at Brighouse and also went to school with many of them, several of whom were with him on the day he got into trouble in the river and drowned.
There will be no admittance charge on the night but a bucket collection in memory of the very popular Tomi.
Town officials have organised a race night on Saturday, October 9 for membership right across all they encompass at the progress club. Funds will be raised to support the junior boys and girls teams, youth teams for boys and girls, the academy side and the men’s and women’s teams.
In the meantime, all coaches will be getting their playing staff to sell sponsorship and for the horses in the races.
