A goal drought over four games since September 24 has prompted Brighouse Town manager to strive harder for a proven striker ahead of Saturday’s away game at Dunston (3.0).
Town have missed long term injured goalscoring talisman Laurence Sorhaindo and the loss of Mohammad Qasim to Guiseley, where he has been scoring and making several assists, has robbed Town of a potent twin-strike force and also seen them plummet down the table.
Saturday’s 3-1 home reverse to Grantham Town saw Town slide from fifth to 10th and yet, despite playing with 10 men for 76 minutes, they were the better footballing side. They did hit the crossbar twice through Tom Haigh from 25 yards out in the first half and then Jack Boyle from his own free kick which had come back to him on the edge of the box in the second half.
In the meantime, there had been three goals and the sending off after 14 minutes. Manchester referee Joe Cunningham in his first season at step 4 level handed a red to left wing-back Callum Charlton for allegedly pushing over Lee Shaw. Ashton Hall made no mistake from the spot and he was on target in the 33rd minute after another penalty award.
Town did pull one back on the stroke of half time when Zeph Thomas bustled the ball over the line to make it 2-1 and give Town and their supporters the hope in the second half they could rescue something from the game.
Town keeper Michael Roxburgh in the second half had very little to do as Town bossed the game but couldn’t find the back of the net and it was the visitors who got a late third goal through substitute Ricky Miller to make it 3-1 in the fifth minute of added on time.
Prior to that score Town substitute Myron Gibbon had a great chance to level matters when coming in to the box from the left unopposed but he took too long to pull the trigger and the chance was lost.
Manager Powell said after the game that with a full side he had no doubt Town would have won the game after his players had certainly played the better football with a man down but once more they were not clinical enough on goal.
The Town manager after viewing several angles of the Charlton sending off has appealed to the FA Disciplinary committee at Wembley with a view to having the red card rescinded and his player then hopefully being available for selection and travelling to the north east.
The hearing will be taking place today, Thursday.
The FA match observer for last Saturday, Denis McCarthy was unable to stay for the game following a serious car accident near to the ground. Mr McCarthy was in a collision with another car and did walk into the Yorkshire Payments Stadium where he was assessed by Town physio Emily Harnden.
The Stalybridge-based official then returned to his car to await the RAC coming for it and he later went to the A&E department of a Greater Manchester hospital to be treated for a neck injury and concussion.
Third-placed Dunston are having a good season and are also still in the FA Trophy, and Town, who won there last season, will find their 90 minutes this term a much harder challenge.
Injured centre-back Matty Nebard (fractured wrist) out of action since the September 3 win over Carlton Town was putting his hand up to be considered for selection with a special encasement over the wrist.
Town’s academy side are at home today (Thursday) to Skelmersdale (1.00) and hoping to land their first win of the season.
Town’s U-23 side went out of the Halifax & District FA Cup at the first hurdle last Saturday losing 5-1 to Old Earth, Elland-based Huddersfield Amateurs.
