A second 4-0 defeat in seven days has seen Brighouse Town slump to 15th in the 20-club strong NPL East Division table ahead of three home games in seven days.
Town went down last Saturday to third-placed Worksop Town who have four games in hand over leaders Stockton Town and must be favourites for promotion automatically or through the play-offs after a bright start with such a strong squad, the majority of whom have been signed from the EFL and National League.
Manager Vill Powell was down to the last few fit players in his squad for the game at Babbage Way with injuries from the previous week’s defeat to Stockton Town denying him most promising young defenders in Aiden Walker (hamstring) and Sam Reed (abductor muscle). There was a most welcome return from a broken wrist for centre back Matty Nebard and teenager Jamie Hassell made his debut in goal.
Hassell made some superb saves in the first twenty minutes before he was beaten all ends up with a 30-yard snorter from former Lincoln City midfielder Terry Hawkridge.
Another former professional Liam Hughes doubled the lead on 36 minutes after connecting well to a Hawkridge corner and two minutes later Jack Broadhead headed home from another Hawkridge corner.
At the other end Worksop keeper Seb Malkowski comfortably held a shot from Corey Gregory and then an outstretched leg kept out a shot from Elliott Harrison.
Three minutes into the second half and it was game, set and match as Worksop’s Liam Hardy teed up Hughes for his second.
Town’s wideman Javelle Clarke worked tirelessly and also gave the home defence plenty to think about, although they were very solid at the back.
Town’s bench must have also been carrying some knocks and bruises as the manager only made one substitution with Alex King coming on for Myron Gibbons early in the second half.
Skipper Haigh rallied his troops well and Hassell took plaudits for a fine debut despite picking the ball out the back of the net on four occasions.
Fourth-placed Cleethorpes Town, currently without a manager, are the visitors to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium on Saturday (3.0) following a shock 2-1 home defeat to second from bottom Shildon last Saturday. Town supporters will be hoping their side can halt the slide and also see them also find the back of the net.
On Monday night Town will host Pontefract Collieries (7.45) and there will be no admission charge after 90% of the crowd did not ask for a refund. The original fixture on Tuesday October 4 was abandoned after 11 minutes when visiting goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson was injured and taken by ambulance off the pitch to Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax, with a serious head injury. The former Huddersfield Town junior and Guiseley stopper has just resumed playing but has been off work. He is self-employed and there will be a bucket collection for him.
Golden Goal and Half-Time Draw tickets will still be valid from the night and join fresh sales on the night to help cover match officials’ fees and the floodlights.
Town fans will be hoping alongside the management that in these three home games there could be a restart for last season’s leading goalscorer Laurence Sorhaindo who has been sidelined since the August 29 home game with Tadcaster Albion during which he bagged a brace in a 3-0 home win.
Cullingworth-based Sorhaindo tore a cartilage but has in the past two weeks been back in training and suffering no problems after the sessions. Thew third home game on Saturday week is at home to Derbyshire club Long Eaton United who going into this weekend’s programme are one place and one point below Town.
