Dave Parker
BRIGHOUSE TOWN opened their Yorkshire Trophy 2021 Group A game with a 1-0 home win over Penistone Church on Monday night and in front of 417 spectators.
Despite a busy sporting night of Championship soccer, Super League Rugby League and rugby union on television, those who rolled up to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium were delighted to be out in the fresh air and watching competitive non-league soccer.
Throughout the game defences were on top with some assured clearances, tremendous blocks and in the case of Penistone keeper Chris Smith some great saves in the second half.
Town’s new experienced keeper Brett Souter looked in command and also sent out some good balls to set attacks moving.
The game and three points was sorted in the 24th minute as Town’s skillful wide man Javelle Clarke cut in from the right and beat two defenders before slotting his shot beyond the reach of Smith.
Town now move on to the Millennium Stadium, Post Office Road, Featherstone on Saturday (2.0) to face American-backed side Wakefield, who last night were playing Penistone Church.
Director of Football for the Wakefield club is former Sheffield United international keeper Chris Turner who also managed Hartlepool.
They play in the Sheffield County Senior Premier League and groundshare with Featherstone Rovers RLFC.
The club had under the new structuring about to be announced hoped to be promoted in to Step 6 and begin their climb up the football pyramid.
On Tuesday they had already sold 500 tickets for the game with Town and are hoping to push it near to the 1,000 they are being allowed in.
Town are hoping they can collect another win to give them a possible home semi-final next Wednesday evening (7.30). Details will go on the club’s website and Twitter account on Sunday.
In the meantime manager Vill Powell has moved swiftly to replace former club skipper Kurt Harris with the former Pontefract Collieries centre back Matty Nebard, 27.
The Group B game between Golcar United and Liversedge on Tuesday night ended in a 2-2 draw.
