Brighouse Echo Sport – Town News by Dave Parker

BRIGHOUSE TOWN were cruising to what looked like a comfortable victory at three nil up over Leeds-based Yorkshire Amateur after 60 minutes last Saturday afternoon when several of the floodlight pylons failed.

It was particularly devastating for groundsman Wally Hemingway who had worked for five hours non-stop to get the pitch cleared of snow and then marked with the assistance of vice-chairman Charles Tolley to ensure it was the only game going ahead in the NPL East Division.

Manager Vill Powell, his coaching staff and the players, who had played so well up to that point, were left almost speechless when word came back to Barnsley referee Ashley Royston that the lights couldn’t be fixed. Yorkshire Amateur’s dressing was a completely different place as they had got out of jail.

Town opened the scoring in 35 seconds from the kick-off as Shiraz Khan took advantage of a lost ball and then went along the byline before squaring to Javelle Clarke who fired home inside the six yard box. The dominance continued as Town played directly into a gale force northerly wind and they increased their lead in the ninth minute when Zeph Thomas rolled back the years with a sublime turn and finish from some 15 yards out on the right of the box. They made it 3-0 in the 29th minute following Laurence Sorhaindo hitting the foot of a post and on the rebound Clarke bagged his brace.

Town were well in control up to half-time and the fifteen minutes in to the second half before their bad luck struck.

The game is now likely to be replayed on Saturday, February 12, a date the league have put aside for block postponements and games abandoned owing to weather related problems.

In the meantime Town officials were today (Thursday) having electrical contractors in to sort the problem ahead of them entertaining Thackley FC next Monday (7.45) in the 2nd round of the West Riding County FA Senior Cup. They also have on Saturday week Frickley Atheltic as visitors to commence the second half of the season.

To allay any fears of a floodlight problem Town’s Women’s team for their re-arranged FA Cup 2nd round home tie with Faresley Celtic will kick off at 1pm on Sunday.

The academy game with Runcorn Linnets (12.0) today at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium is a major doubt after the rain Tuesday night and then more heavy rain across lunctime Wednesday.

On Saturday Powell’s men are treading new ground as they travel to Stockton-on-Tees to take on the town’s former EBAC Northern League Division One club (3.0). Powell is hopeful that two of his senior injured players, central defender James Hurtley (hamstring) and fullback Mike Starkey (ankle ligaments) will be available for selection. Danny Raachi (ankle ligaments) will be another two weeks at least but he is doing some running with physio Emily Harnden.

There is a coach making the trip and it will leave the Old Pond at 11am.

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