The first of eight pre-season friendlies for Brighouse Town was played on Saturday against a valiant Athersley Recreation side at the Dorothy Hyman Centre in Barnsley.
Athersley ran out 3-0 victors in a game where Brighouse Manager Grant Black and newly appointed coach Danny Frost used around 24-26 different faces, many of them trialists amongst some returning players. Those included new club captain Josh Waldram, Curtis Peters, Danny Edwards and Derry Robson.
New signings ,including Nathan Curtis and Jordan Preston, got important minutes in their legs to start the pre-season campaign. And, with another seven games penciled in over the next three weeks-including last night’s game at Worsborough Bridge, also in south Yorkshire, preparation will be key for the squad as they head into the Emirates FA Cup Extra-Preliminary round tie at home to Frickley Athletic on Saturday August 2 (3pm).
On Saturday, Town entertain Lincolnshire club Brigg Town, (1pm) who have over the years been a real feeder club to the likes of Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United and Boston United. Admission for the game will be £7 and £4 for concessions. Then on Tuesday evening Town will entertain near neighbours Golcar United (7.15), with the same admission prices applying.
Should Town progress to the Preliminary round of the FA Cup they have been drawn away on August 16 to the winners of the Extra-Preliminary round tie between Cheshire club Winsford United or Greater Manchester club West Didsbury & Chorlton.
In the Isuzu FA Trophy first round qualifying tie Town have been drawn away at Gateshead club Dunston on Saturday, September 6 (3pm).
The club’s NPL Division East fixtures are expected to be released next week and they will commence on Saturday, August 9, with an expected midweek game on the Wednesday in the case of Town if they are down for a home game..
On the Athersley game, Grant Black was pleased with the overall performance as he introduced two teams over the 90 minutes , while the home side stuck to a side that really wanted to beat their Step 4 opponents.