Brighouse Town’s five game unbeaten run, which propelled them from sixteenth to eighth in the NPL East Division table, came to an end at Long Eaton last Saturday as they lost 3-0.
United were on the board after two minutes when centre forward Alex Marshall headed home from a corner out on the left.
Town then quickly took charge of the game and played some lovely football up to half-time but could not get the ball in the net. Jack Boyle saw a 25 yard shot on the angle tipped over by home keeper Ross Durrant just as it was dipping to go into the net and five minutes later a free kick into the six yard box should have been tapped home.
Town were lacking the services of potent finisher Mohammad Qasim and it cost them dearly.
Town went in at the break 1-0 down but the travelling support felt they had a more than a chance in the second half with skipper Tom Haigh and Corey Gregory bossing the show on 45 minutes and having great support from the talented duo Sam Reed and Javelle Clarke.
However the home side scored a second, a weak effort in a goalmouth scramble just five minutes into the half from interval substitute Tom Cursons, so it was always going to be an uphill struggle after that.
Matty Nebard came on for his first game in five matches after 67 minutes and was only on the field for five minutes when United got their third and ensured they would be travelling to Hebburn on Tuesday night in the play-offs.
A high ball into box and Jamie Walker beat Town keeper Jamie Hassall to the ball and it was 3-0, game over.
A disappointing end to the campaign but the main thing was that Town in seventeen days ahead of the game had made sure they were not looking over their shoulders at a possible relegation play-off game.
On Tuesday evening’s play-offs in the NPL East Division Stockton Town and Long Eaton United made it through to Saturday’s final
Stockton drew 2-2 with Stocksbridge and then won 4-2 on penalties while Hebburn Town also drew 2-2 with Long Eaton but then lost 3-2 on penalties
The winners will be promoted to the Premier Division with champions Worksop Town.
Liversedge after one season in the Premier Division have been relegated.
The Calderdale Schools finals will be played at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium home of Brighouse Town on Wednesday and Thursday May 10 and 11 from 3.30 each afternoon
There will be three finals on the first day and two on the second from Year 7to Year 11.
