Brighouse Echo Sport – All the latest News from the Heffernan Utilities Stadium by Dave Parker

Despite a 5-0 reverse at Worksop Town last Saturday in their third pre-season friendly, Brighouse Town manager Grant Black was still pleased and came away with a smile with the performance against the Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit.

“Despite two sloppy goals, and being 4-0 down at the break, and minus several players through holidays,I thought the players on view performed very well indeed,” he enthused.

Town were without central defender Matty Nebard and midfielder and last season’s skipper Josh Grant  against a side that has been strengthened over the close season and looks certain to do well this coming season. Cameron Bedford showed up well in midfield and new striker Danny Edwards worked very hard without reward. Jamie Hassall also made three exceptional saves to also keep the score to 5-0 and those who travelled to the game thought a scoreline actually flattered the Nottinghamshire side who have signed former Town favourite and leading goalscorer in his time with them, Aaron Martin. The cousin of former manager Vill Powell, who since his Town days has been with Harrogate Town, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead and South Shields, was away holidaying in Dubai. Actually playing against Town on Saturday was their former goalkeeper Tommy Taylor who has since been with Scarborough Athletic and Darlington.

Town were away on Tuesday night this week to south Yorkshire club Frickley Athletic who at the end of the 2022-23 season were relegated into the Northern Counties East League from the NPL East Division. After a training session tonight (Thursday) they are at Wombwell Town on Saturday.

Last season’s custodian Hassall has been between the posts for all the games as new experienced signing Kyle Trenerry arrived at the club with a damaged hand

received at work which needed an operation. He trained for the first time last Tuesday without doing any work in the goals.

Town’s last pre-season friendly on Saturday week, July 27 at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels, will now kick off at 1pm as after the game both sides separately are having nights out as bonding exercises. 

In the meantime with their pitch extension and new floodlighting at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium, Town have had some more lights fitted this week to cut out some shadowing that was taking place after the lights had been tested at 10.30pm at night last week. The FA ground grading officer has given the club permission to leave the dugouts where they are until further work is carried out possibly at the end of this coming season.

Town will be running a coach to Barnoldswick Town on Saturday, August 3, for the Extra Preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup which will leave the Dusty Miller at 12 noon.         

Former Town star wide player Ryan Hall who has since played for Spennymoor Town and Curzon Ashton, has signed for Golcar United.