BRIGHOUSE TOWN warmed to this Saturday’s opening Pitching-In NPL East Division One home game with Hebburn Town (3.00) with a scintillating 4-1 home win over NPL Premier Division side Whitby Town.
Manger Vill Powell without eight regulars through holidays and injuries was overjoyed with the performance, arguable the best by a country mile from the other pre-season games across July.
Town were on the board after 22 minutes though Jack Normanton and it was no more than they deserved as they continually pressed forward. Town’s centre backs Matty Nebard and Harrison Beeden were more than a match for the seasiders strikeforce from a higher division who finished just outside the top six last term.
On the stroke of half-time Town increased their lead to 2-0 as powerul midfielder Elliott Harrison rifled in a 35-yarder which had the Whitby keeper grasping fresh air!
Town continued to hold sway, although in the 74th minute, Whitby centre forward Bradley Fewster came into the box from the right and fired home across the trialist keeper.
Three minutes later and Town restored their two goal lead when Copley-based Travis Atherton made it 3-1 after an all action assault on the Whitby goal.
The 148 crowd were treated to a fourth in 85th minute when Bradford City loanee Bobby Pointon, who looks a gem of a capture, finished off another first rate attack on the Whitby goal.
Two senior players who were missing through injury were last year’s leading goalscorer Laurence Sorhaindo with a groin injury and midfielder Corey Gregory who is back training following ankle ligament damage sustained at Liversedge late last season. They are unlikely to figure against the Gateshead-based side who Town did the double over last season with 3-1 victories at both venues.
Hebburn played last Saturday in the Emirates Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup and lost 3-1 away to Northern League Division One club Sunderland RCA.
Town could give debuts to new signings in the past week in midfielder Sam Drake who has come on a dual registration from National League North club Farsley Celtic and Travis Atherton.
In fact, after last Saturday’s performance manager Vill Powell will have a selection headache to pick his side and those on the bench but its a good position to be in, he enthused.
Town’s management and players found out as they came off the pitch who they will play on Saturday week at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium in the Preliminary round of the FA Cup. Northern Counties East Premier Division club Penistone Church had gone to Anfield and beaten local side Lower Breck 2-0 with a goal in each half.
Town have over the past six years had several pre-season friendlies with Penistone and had mixed results. The supporters are looking for a cup run this time around after several lean years and the tie also sees after covid-19 the return of replays if all is level on 90 minutes. The FA Trophy, in which Town entertain Worksop Town on September 10, will remain with penalty shoot-outs if the scores are level on the final whistle.
