BRIGHOUSE Town had their NPL Division One East home game with Pontefract Collieries abandoned after 11 minutes on Tuesday night. Visiting goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson was badly injured to the head when going down to make a save from the advancing Town centre forward Elliot Harrison.
His physio was soon on the pitch, and she was joined by Town’s Emily Harnden and they treated the wound and at the same time made sure he wasn’t moved and covered in medical foil and jackets from the bench to keep him warm. An ambulance was called as he was in a concussed state, and he was later taken to the Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.
Referee Joe Moss, son of former Premier League referee Jon Moss and now Head of Referees with the FA, consulted his two assistants and both managers and said there was only one thing he could do after a 45-minute delay and that was to abandon the game.
Some of the visiting supporters took a refund but the Town committee thought quickly on their feet and the re-arranged game will be free entry to all those who want to attend.
Town went into the game without experienced centre forward Zeph Thomas who collected an Achiles injury at North Shields. Elliot Harrison was recalled from his dual registration with Eccleshill United and may well be involved at Bridlington on Saturday.
Today (Thursday) manager-coach Harry Birro makes his managerial debut as his Town Academy side welcome Mossley (12.00) to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium. Admission is free but the clubhouse will be open for beverages.
Town came back from north of the Tyne with a valuable point from a 0-0 draw with North Shields.
Watched by The Robins club president Malcolm `Supermac’ McDonald, the ex-England and Newcastle United star striker, Town had to defend in the first half against a very strong wind and spirited home attack on the cliff tops above the North Sea and then, guess what, the wind subsided considerable for the next 45 minutes.
In a world wind five minutes into the game the Town goal survived with good blocks and some astute keeping from Michael Roxburgh.
It took Town around 20 minutes to start imposing themselves on their hosts and when they did there were some narrow escapes for the home side with Jack Normanton really stinging the fingers of keeper Finlay Hodgson as he turned a goal bound shot over the bar.
Skipper Tom Haigh and Corey Gregory worked hard in midfield against the wind to provide widemen Normanton and Javelle Clarke with some ammunition to break the deadlock. However, despite the home side also having chances at the other end it remained goalless on the break.
Again, in the second period there were chances for both sides and manager Vill Powell also brought on fresh legs to try and get the all-important winner via Myron Gibbons, Callum Charlton and Sam Drake but to no avail despite hairaising moments in the home defence.
In added on time, the hearts of the away supporters almost stopped as Liam Doyle whipped in a cross across the six-yard box, but Brad Hird could not get his head to it, and they all breathed again as the ball went for a corner.
Assistant manager Stacy Reed said he was well pleased with the draw from a feisty game in the conditions, and in which seven players were cautioned.
Town have been drawn away to Doncaster club Armthorpe Welfare in the first round of the West Riding County Cup and hope to play the game on Tuesday, October 25 (7.45). The Northern Counties East Division One Club, currently fourth from bottom, have said they don’t want to compete, but WRCFA official Lee Ashforth has told them its mandatory. Town officials await the outcome of the impasse later this week.
On Saturday, Town have a trip to the seaside as they visit Bridlington Town (3.0) who have started the season far better than they did last term. They follow this up on the Tuesday, October 11 (7.45) with a trip to the oldest club in the FA, Sheffield FC.
On Saturday, October 15 they return home to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium with a game against Grantham Town who were relegated at the end of last season from the NPL Premier Division.
*Please note that if you purchased a Golden Goal ticket or a Half-Time Draw ticket, the tickets will be honoured at the replayed game with Pontefract Collieries so please hang on to them……..and bring them with you to the game.
A reminder from the PA announcement, the Town committee have decreed that it will be free entry for the game when it is replayed.
We wish the Pontefract goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson all the very best and will update the Twitter and website accounts as soon as we have up to date information.
