A goal in each half from Spencer Harris saw Brighouse Town come back from a goal down in the eighth minute against Bishop Auckland to go on and win 2-1 and move to fifth in the table of 20 clubs in the East Division.

The County Durham side went ahead on the counter-attack after Dean Briggs played Louis Johnson through and the soon-to-be troublesome centre forward took his chance to beat debutant keeper Paul Cooper.

It took Town just even minutes to draw level when, after some pressure and a second consecutive corner, Harris jumped above the defence and headed strongly into the goals to beat Ryan Catterick.

Johnson proved a handful for Town as he put himself about, but the home side kept the score at 1-1 going into the break.

Play was end-to-end in the second half with Town’s Bailey Thompson, Myron Gibbons and Niah Payne showing up well as they went in search of a second goal.

That came in the 71st minute when the visiting keeper and team captain Catterick spilled a header and there to stab the ball home was the experienced Harris who is showing his worth game- on- game.

Town went in search of a third but were denied despite two good efforts by late substitute Ezio De Santis.

Ahead of the game to cover for the injury loss of Kyle Trenerry Town signed Paul Cooper on dual registration from Buxton, who has previously played for the likes of Stoke City, Worksop Town, Ossett Utd and Ashton Utd.

The League game at home to Dunston on September 14 has been called off with the Gateshead-based side still in the Emirates FA Cup. However, the abandoned game at Emley on August Bank Holiday Monday owing to the injury to keeper Trennery has been re-arranged for Tuesday, September 17 (7.45).

Town will have to re-arrange the Dunston game for a Wednesday night within the next 28 days from Saturday week.

On Saturday Town entertain old foes Clitheroe (3pm) from the NPL West Division in the First Round Qualifying of the ISUZU FA Trophy.

Clitheroe, averaging 600 home gates, are currently mid-table in the division having warmed to this forthcoming tie with a 4-2 home win over WythenshaweTown.

Wide player Basile Zottos, who joined Town in the close season, has signed for Rossington Main (step 5), with Ossett United also wanting to sign him. He was in the Doncaster-based side who lost 2-1 to Knaresborough Town last Saturday, with both goals coming from Cameron Bedford who left Town midway through August.

Ossett Utd have in the past 24 hours completed the signing of Zottos.

Town’s U-18 FA Youth Cup away preliminary round tie with Golcar United will take place this Saturday evening (7.00).

Sunday 1st September was the day… a moment of history for Brighouse Town AFC… the 1st ever league game for the new Brighouse Town Women’s Development Team!

Going into the game we didn’t know what to expect, the whistle went and what a start. A cross from Isla deflected off a Crossley’s defender and straight into the back of the net! 3 mins in and 1-0 up.

From the restart we showed just how much talent there was on the pitch. With some great passing from Grace & Olivia they found Lauren in space & down the wing, a fantastic cross into the box found Isla at the back post and bang it was 0-2, after 5 mins.

It was all Brighouse and the inevitable came. A great free kick from Daniella found Lillia who’s shot was deflected but landed at the feet of Rihannon who made it 0-3 and there was still only 11 mins played.

The hosts managed to get a couple back. It was now 2-3 but then Lauren found space and a superb pass from Kacie found her heading for the goal again, the cross went in and, after a scramble landed at Daniella’s feet, she wasn’t messing around and the Belles keeper was picking the ball out of the back of net one more 2-4.

Half time loomed but there was no stopping this team. some excellent passing from the midfield once again found Lauren. She was putting crosses in like a dream, then one deflected off a Crossley’s defender straight to Grace and, with a superb long – range volley, it was 2-5 by half time.

The second half started, and our defence was called into action, after a 1 on 1 with Gracie, who just couldn’t get a hand to it, it was 3-5.

Some more fantastic saves from Gracie came, we settled again and were back in control of the game.

Some fantastic passing from our strike partnership of Lillia & Daniella and it was 3-6.

Minutes later, the ball finds Isla out on the wing and she set off past the Belles Defence and went for goal 3-7 and we weren’t backing off.

An absolute boss of the midfield, Grace played in Lillia who took no time in making it 3-8, Belles were tiring and getting frustrated now, but that didn’t stop us.

10 mins to go and this team was on fire!

Lillia played in Daniella the Crossley’s defence was nowhere and the ball was once again being picked out of the back of the net. 3-9 and a hat trick for Daniella!

We could have sat back and seen the game out, but no these girls wanted more, keeping the ball moving, fast passing, Crossley’s didn’t have an answer. Daniella once again with a fantastic long – range shot 3-10, and that was the game as a moment later the referee blew the final whistle on our historic game and our first three points.

Final Score: Crossley Belles Whites 3-10 Brighouse Town AFC Women’s Development

Next game 15th September, away to Ryburn Utd – if you would like to join our community, maybe to train and try out for Brighouse Town AFC Women ? please email phil@[email protected] we would love to hear from you.

Photos credit Hollie Lockwood Photography