Brighouse Echo Sport – All the latest news from the Heffernan Utilities Stadium by Dave Parker

A second drawn home game last Saturday with Ossett United following on from the 1-1 draw with Bridlington Town last Wednesday but there were no goals on this occasion.

Town were robbed of a victory in the Bridlington game when assistant referee Majid Ali waved no goal into the second half when the ball had clearly crossed the line only to be scooped out by the Seasiders’ keeper Seb Malkowski. Town fans and neutrals in the area of the goal all said it had gone over by at least a foot from a Jack Normanton corner.

Town had taken the lead in the 45th minute through Danny Edwards, only for it to be cancelled out in the 62nd minute by experienced striker Michael Coulson.

Play was end-to-end and another goal always looked on the cards from either side but it was stalemate on 97 minutes when referee Matthew Moss called time.

On Saturday it was a game of few chances and when strikers did get through both Town’s Kyle Trenerry and United’s Ally Hughes dealt with what was aimed on goal.

Hughes denied Town’s Niah Payne when he tipped over in the first half  and Town’s former player Eddie Church went close into the second half. As the game drew to a close Town’s Spencer Harris had a great chance but headed over and was annoyed with himself.

Town go again on Saturday at home to Sheffield FC (3pm) following on from their midweek 1-1 draw on Tuesday night away to Bradford Park Avenue who lost their home Emirates FA Cup preliminary round tie last Saturday at home to Stocksbridge PS, 3-2. Town officials had been watching the tie unfurl as a draw would have ruled out Tuesday’s game with a replay down in south Yorkshire.

Town officials were also on Tuesday night watching the outcome of the Ashington v Bishop Auckland replay as the first round proper takes place on August 31 when Bishop Auckland are the visitors to the Heffernan Utilities Stadium.

Town are expecting their average gate to swell on Saturday with the visit of Sheffield and the game being entitled the Ellis Aked Day in celebration of their former committeeman and ground maintenance worker who passed away at the end of July. The club will also be well represented at his funeral tomorrow (Friday) at Park Wood Crematorium (12 noon).

There will be a minute’s applause ahead of kick-off.

In the meantime Town’s midfielder Sam Drake has left the club and joined Liversedge, while defender Jake Hemingway has joined Town from Frickley Athletic.

On Bank Holiday Monday Town make another short journey this time to the Welfare Ground (3pm), home to Emley who were promoted from the NCEL Premier Division last year, with former Town midfield and captain Tom Haigh a vital cog for them. He has since left and now joined Golcar United as with his hairdressing business in Holmfirth he doesn’t want a lot of travelling.