Brighouse Town, despite a workmanlike 2-0 home victory on the last day of the season at home to play-off hopefuls Carlton Town, were officially relegated once they heard Bridlington Town, two points ahead of them, had drawn 1-1 at Consett and then relied on their better goal difference.
Earlier in the day on Saturday following secretary David Parker, following up on word there could be reprieves for Thame United in the south and Brighouse Town on points per game for second from bottom clubs, had communicated with NPL chairman Mark Harris, it was confirmed that was something the FA were looking at doing as they reconstructed divisions at Step 4 level from the English Channel to the border with Scotland.
Town lost out on promotion through this some five years ago after winning at Pontefract Collieries in the Play-off final but were kept down because they had not scored enough points in the regular season.
There have also been several resignations in the season and at the end, with the most prominent being Marske United and Loughborough Dynamoes, while Carlton Town have asked to play in the Central Midlands section next term, and, it is understood Grantham Town would also like to move there from Division One East.
Going into the new week it was certainly fingers crossed for Town officials and their supporters who turned out in numbers for the last game to cheer them on.
Caretaker-manager Paul Quinn would not be drawn into committing himself for next season after the game which saw him gain two vital victories-six vital points-from the remaining five games. He did reveal he was meeting a club official during the week when by then there maybe news of a reprieve.
He has certainly got the players working for him since the departure of Vill Powell and they have played some good football, including last Saturday when a neutral would have thought that Brighouse Town for the most part was the promotion chasing team.
Leading goalscorer Mohammed Qasim opened the scoring for Town in the 14th minute with a 20-yard pile driver. Carlton looked for an immediate response and they had a chance to equalise when a header from skipper Niall Davie went across goal and just inches wide of going in at the far post.
Myron Gibbons had a shot from distance easily saved by Carlton’s former Ghanaian international keeper Felix Annan before, on the half-time whistle, Jack Wilson doubled the lead with a shot into the bottom corner. Town’s players were clapped and cheered off the pitch but they still had a job to do over the next 45 minutes.
Town’s defence coped with anything that came their way in the second half, including Josh Dacre clearing his line with keeper Jamie Hassall stranded, and their attacking force had a goal disallowed for offside which would have put the game to bed.
Almost at the end of the second half Town’s Jack Normanton and Carlton’s Lamin Sisawo-Danso both saw red. Normanton had only been on the field for five minutes.
Back in the dressing rooms Quinn and his assistant Steve Waide thanked the players for their response to their five -match tenure and they were applauded in return.
Town officials will announce when their presentation night will take place. In the meantime there is a busy period of semi-finals and finals taking place.
Today (Thursday) Brooksbank School, Elland will take on Trinity College, Halifax in the Calderdale Schools Final at 4pm and following this game there will be a Halifax & District FA Cup Final at 7pm.
