Brighouse Echo Sport – all the latest news from the Heffernan Utilities Stadium by Dave Parker

A week without a victory from their two games but Brighouse Town thoroughly deserved one at home to Newcastle side Heaton Stannington last Wednesday before having to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw.

It was a different story on the Saturday away to Ossett United when Town went down 4-2, but at 3-2 into the second half and for a good period commanding the game, they could have at least come away with a point before an own goal and then a dismissal on 76  minutes saw them play the game out with 10 men.

Against Heaton Stannington, Town went 2-0 down after the first 15 minutes but fought their way back to 2-1 on the break after a tremendous in-swinging corner from Rhys Plater deceived the visiting keeper.

Town levelled matters in the 64th minute through a great shot again by the in form Plater and they went ahead on 82 minutes when Niah Payne headed in to the net to the delight of the home crowd as they were 3-2 to the good.

However, minutes later the visitors broke from near the half way line and had the left flank to themselves and went up and grabbed the equaliser with keeper Shea Callister on his own. In that second half Town had two chances to score via the hard working Akeel Francis, but unfortunately narrowly missing the target.

At Ossett, Town were on the board after 12 minutes when Plater swung in a cross right across the box and Akeel Francis rose up and expertly headed home.  

Town’s lead last ten minutes before Ossett went 3-1 up with goals from Lewis Stephens, Josh Burns and Joe Crosby.

Town in the second half took the game to Ossett from the off with Myron Gibbon looking very sharp down the right. He was brought down in the box and Francis stepped up to belt home the spot kick and make it 3-2. Town’s good following got behind their team but they had a setback when in the 68th minute Kevy Tarangadzo put through his own net as he desperately tried to stop a goal-bound shot . Eight minutes later he was sent off for after a coming together with an Ossett player.

At 4-2 down and with the loss of their centre half, Town had a mountain now to climb if they were to get anything out of the game. No more goals for either side and Ossett celebrated a very welcome three points in their own relegation battle which continued for Town on Tuesday night at Bridlington.

On Saturday they have another derby game when they travel the short distance to Liversedge (3.0pm).

Manager Grant Black has been trying to strengthen his squad in the past few days as next up after Liversedge is a home game against high flying Emley next Wednesday at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium 7.45pm.