Brighouse Town bounced back after a disappointing defeat to lowly Long Eaton United with two tremendous victories away to Consett last Saturday and then away to Bradford Park Avenue on Monday night in the West Riding County FA Cup second round.
High up on the Durham hills, Town, after settling down, played their hosts off the park led by man of the match Lawrence Sorhaindo with two goals and two assists.
He put his side ahead in the 21st minute after a sharp piece of football with the ball being zipped about until it landed at the feet of last season’s leading goalscorer who made no mistake hitting the target from some 12 yards out. Jack Boyle, back on form, banged home the second on 40 minutes and there was time for a third on 43 minutes after a home defender had `saved’ a blistering shot from Elliot Harrison with his arm which saw the ball head over the crossbar. Middlesbrough referee Liam Smith pointed to the spot, and up stepped Sorhaindo to beat keeper Ross Coombe and make it 3-0. However, the home defender only got a caution as the referee said after the game, he didn’t deem it a goalscoring opportunity!
The Steelmen were given a lifeline after 51 minutes when Town’s acting skipper Corey Gregory was sent off for hands ball in the six-yard box with Brett Souter beaten. He was given a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Town were down to 10 men.
Zak Atkinson just managed to beat Souter with his spot kick which made it 3-1.
Town, knowing they had a long time to defend that lead, soon substituted wideman Javelle Clarke with utility player Sam Drake and manager Vill Powell worked his two remaining subs for fresh legs-Josh Grant and Callum Charlton- well as Town soaked up pressure and then counter-attacked with purpose.
Town went on to make the game well and truly safe in the second minute of added time as Sorhaindo, turned and broke free before providing Charlton with a sublime ball and he did the rest to make it 4-1.
On Monday night in the fog Town took on the National League North side at the Horsfall Stadium and went a goal down in the 15th minute, keeper Jamie Hassall saved an initial shot, but Zak Kersey followed in to score.
Town took up the cudgel for an equaliser but faced a very competent goalkeeper in Liam Hall and were constantly denied. Their equaliser did not come until the 57th minute when Alex King raced clear from just over the halfway line and then beat Hall with a deft finish to level matters.
Town did have their chances to grab a winner with Zeph Thomas going near and Charlton before referee Joe Moss blew for full time.
In the penalty shoot-out Town went into a 3-0 lead thanks to Gregory, Thomas and Clarke before former Town player Eddie Church converted his spot kick for BPA.
Substitute Myron Gibbons made it 4-1 to send Town through to the next round.
Town have injury and suspension problems ahead of Saturday’s home game with Lincoln United at the earlier kick-off time of 1.00 and in a game sponsored by Rastrick Cricket Club.
Skipper Tom Haigh, who missed the Consett and Bradford games with a swollen ankle bone which is not broken or chipped after an x-ray, is very doubtful and utility player Elliot Harrison picked up a badly bruised calf in the first half at Park Avenue and was substituted at half-time.
Gregory was handed a two-match ban by the FA on Monday after his dismissal at Consett and will miss the Lincoln game and Friday week’s visit to Pontefract Collieries.
Town had an approach from Cleethorpes Town for centre-back Matthew Nebard but he turned it down, saying he wanted to stay at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium, and bottom club Tadcaster Albion came in at the weekend for wide player and defender Callum Charlton, but manager Powell says the Halifax-based player is very much part of his plans and he won’t be going anywhere.
Town have been drawn at home in the third round to leading Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One club Campion from Manningham, Bradford on a date to be decided.
FC Halifax Town will play their second round West Riding County FA tie with Albion Sports at Brighouse Town’s ground on Wednesday, December 7 (7.45). The Shaymen tried to switch from the Shay to Farsley Celtic’s ground at Throstle Nest but the National League North side wouldn’t agree to the proposal and so they turned to Brighouse who are pleased to host the tie and help their neighbours out.
