BRIGHOUSE TOWN are the first club through to the semi-finals of the West Riding County FA Senior Cup following their 2-1 home quarter-final win over Steeton on Monday night.
Campion were playing Farsley last night, Albion had their tie with Guiseley postponed on Tuesday night as the National League North club were playing at Stourbridge in the FA Trophy fourth round proper after Saturday’s game was frozen off and FC Halifax Town travel to Claybourn on Tuesday, February 1 to play NPL East League leaders Liversedge.
It was a rather controversial win for Town in a frenetic end-to-end tie to delight the fans. They were awarded a penalty on the edge of the box in the 54th minute when Alex King was in a tussle with Steeton’s Toby Jeffrey. Town fans were expecting a free kick to be awarded to the visitors but Holmfirth referee Jamie Waters pointed to the spot. When the Steeton complaints had died down and two players had been booked, Shiraz Khan stepped up and cleverly beat tidy keeper Stuart Cross with a deft chip spot kick,
This restored Town’s lead to 2-1 after the sides had gone in at the break drawing 1-1. The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute when the hard working Elliot Harrison had fired home on the tightest of angles.
Three minutes later and just ahead of the half-time whistle Steeton had equalised when Alistair Morgan rose above the Town defenders from some 16 yards out following a superb ball to loop a header over the despairing hands of Town custodian Brett Souter.
Town had had several chances in the first half to have been going in comfortably in the lead and they had chances in the second half but it was one of those games. The Town defence also found they had a handful in speedy Steeton striker and leading goaklicker Kayle Price and he was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet.
In added on time Town lost their skipper Thomas Haigh who was cautioned for a second time and then shown a red card.
In the first half they lost winger Javelle Clarke who was taken ill and substituted by Sam Reed.
Both Haigh and hopefully Clarke will be available for Saturday’s home game with fifth-placed Shildon who in two meetings so far at their ground near Darlington have beaten Town 2-1 in the FA Cup and 3-1 in the League
Striker Jack Boyle couldn’t play against Steeton after having lazer treatment on an eye, but could be available along with leading goalscorer Laurence Sorhaindo who has been out with a thigh quad injury since the away game at Dunston on December 18. The 13-goal talisman is set for a fitness test at training tonight (Thursday).
Saturday’s game will be first time this season Town have run a promotion day-they are allowed three a season- and this will see Huddersfield Town away at Reading,, FC Halifax Town away at Maidenhead,, Bradford City away at Rochdale and Shildon season ticket holders offered entry for £5.
Town’s league game away to Stocksbridge Park Steels last Saturday fell foul of a frozen pitch at a 10am inspection. The game has to be re-arranged and no date has been put forward yet.
