Brighouse sign off their home PitchingIn Northern Premier League East campaign with defeat as Colliers stay up.
Despite relegation already being confirmed The Orange Army turn in a spirited performance as Ashington score two goals in six second half minutes.
The side from Northumberland started the brighter of the two with each having a goal ruled out for offside in the opening exchanges, but it was Ashington who had the first meaningful chance of the match.
With Liam Henderson making a twentieth minute sprint into the box, Brighouse Goalkeeper Michael Acquah came diving out and was adjudged to have fouled the man as he headed away from goal. Acquah thankfully for the home side guessed the correct way and palmed Craig Spooner’s spot-kick low past his right-hand post. In a season of mostly ‘lows’, this was the sixth save made from twelve yards for Acquah.
On twenty-seven Brighouse’s Alex Peterson peeled off at the left back post, but had his looping free header saved comfortably by Mathew Alexander. Ollie Thompson for Ashington had a curling ball played from central to set up a shot on-the-run which Acquah had covered at his near post.
The Visitors started the second half the brighter of the two and it was once more Thompson involved. Knocking a ball up the right touchline to Liam Henderson he fired a low ball across which eluded everyone with Brighouse cleared out at the back post. Ashington did however opened the scoring on the hour. It was Thompson again, this time squaring a cross ball from the left into Josh Gilchrist who fired powerfully across a diving Acquah.
Five minutes later Christopher Reid was sent through with appeals for ‘offside’ from the hosts backline falling on deaf ears, he rounded Acquah and doubled the Northumberland sides’ lead. After diving full-stretch to try to deny Reid, he subsequently required the aid of a physio before the restart but thankfully was able to carry on.
Alex Paterson had another back post headed chance well over in the closing exchanges whilst Ashington had the ball in the net once more off a saved rebounded shot via a saving Acquah, but the lineman’s flag was raised for offside once more.
As the season concludes this coming Saturday at Bridlington Town 3pm, Club Secretary of eleven years Dave Parker will be retiring from the role within the club and everyone associated with Brighouse Town FC wishes Dave a happy and enjoyable retirement.