By Matthew Burdin
Brighouse host Matlock at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium in search of first win of 2026
Grant Black’s men host Matlock as they search for the clubs first win of the new year, and first win in nine games following a poor run of form.
Coming into this game, The Orange army find themselves in 15th place following 25 games, however another loss combined with results going against them could result in them dropping all the way down to 18th, signifying just how close the table is right now.
Brighouse were scheduled to play away against Blyth Town on the 10th of January, however following a morning weather inspection the game was postponed to a later date.
The last game Grant Black’s men took part in was on New Years Day, when Bradford Park Avenue comfortably won 2-0 at the Heffernan Utilities stadium following two goals in the second half scored by Marcus Carver and Kareem Hassan-Smith.
The visitors sit comfortably in third place in the league following an unbeaten run since early November, whilst also being only two points behind 2nd place, Emley, with two games in hand.
Matlock themselves also had their last fixture postponed due to weather, meaning they too last played a game on New Years Day.
They kickstarted their year with a 4-0 victory at home against Silsden, following a brace from Jake Thompson as well as goals scored by Cameron Wilson and Alfie Jake Atherton.
Cameron Wilson is seemingly the brightest spark in the Matlock team, with him being the club’s top goalscorer this season as well as him being the third highest goalscorer in the league with 14 goals in 23 appearances.
Back in last October, Matlock took the bragging rights against the Orange Army following a 2-1 win with all the goals occurring late on in the game – hopefully this will inspire Grant Blacks’s men as they look to bounce back and give the fans a well-deserved and long-awaited home victory.