LEAGUE ACTION goes on the back burner this weekend as Brighouse Town head to rugby league country to take on Widnes FC in the preliminary round of the Buildbase FA Trophy at the DCBL Stadium they share with RL Championship club Widnes Vikings (3.00).

Widnes, who are third from bottom of the 20-strong NPL West Division with just one win in eight games, have just parted company with their joint managers Kevin Towey and Steven Akrigg.

Town manager Vill Powell had them watched last weekend when they lost 1-0 at home in their 15,000-seater home to league leaders Workington and with new manager Dave Dempsey in charge after he left Ashton Town where he was in his second spell at the North West Counties Division One North club.

Widnes play on a 4G pitch and Town are used to this surface with training and playing games at the West Riding County FA at Woodlesford, Leeds.

Centre half Matty Nebard, who suffered a thigh injury at home to Bridlington a week last Monday, is doubtful but there is better news about full-back Sam Reed who suffered hamstring problems back in August. Powell said his man was well on the way to recovery ahead of Tuesday evening’s training session.

Fullback Jack Tinker, who was sent off in the FA Cup preliminary round at Shildon, is now clear to be considered for selection again, while wideman Leighton Sawyer is getting in some valuable game time at Worsborough Bridge and doing well, according to his manager, after not being selected for first team duty this term as of yet.

The players and officials will depart from the Old Pond at 11.30 am on Saturday and there is still room for a few supporters who need to book on 07483 119054 by 7pm tonight (Thursday)

Saturday week’s away game at Marske has been cancelled with the Redcar area side still in the FA Cup and due to host Chester City, so it will now be replayed on Tuesday, October 12 (7.45).

The Hebburn Town away league game cancelled last Saturday as the Newcastle-based club was away at York City in the FA Cup, where they lost 3-0, will be played on Tuesday, October 19 (7.45). That now means Town have three away games in seven days in the north east with Shildon being the league opponents on the Saturday, October 16 (3.0).

Town have fixed their home West Riding County FA Senior Cup first round tie with Knaresborough Town for Monday, November 1 (7.45).

Town’s academy side who are in full time BTECH education under Sowerby Bridge-based manager Simon Ward, begin their league season today(Thursday) when they entertain Derby district club Mickleover’s U-18s (12.00). Admission is free and the Yorkshire Payments clubhouse will be open for food and beverages across lunchtime.

BRIGHOUSE TOWN left it late on Monday night to get their second win of the season after a frustrating home 1-1 draw with Pontefract Collieries on the Saturday.

Shiraz Khan latched on to a superb cross into the box from Mohammed Ibrahim in the 90th minute and it was 1-0 and three points but Town were lucky after a nightmare first half and some nervy moments in the second half which could have seen them lose or at best draw the game.

Within two minutes midway through the first half the Town goal first of all on 26 minutes survived when Matthew Nebard kicked an Andy Norfolk strike off the line, with keeper Brett Souter stranded, for a corner and then the Bridlington Town player manager Brett Agnew headed home strongly from a Leon Dawson cross on the right but the assistant had his flag up for a very close call of offside.

In a disjointed first half and with some poor passing in the second half Brighouse allowed their visitors to play on the front foot and at times cause them and their supporters in the 311 crowd some anxious moments.

Centre back Harry Wilkinson came on at half-time for Nebard who had retired with hamstring problems and it was fellow substitutes Jack Boyle and Ibrahim who pepped things up somewhat after James Hurtley had shaved a post with a rasping 30-yarder.

Assistant manager Stacy Reed came off the pitch at the end and commented:” A win is a win, although that was rather ugly at times.”

Town through a work call to striker Laurence Sorhaindo and a mouth injury to their skipper Danny Racchi had made tthree changes from the Pontefract game with also Boyle was on the bench.

Town, after what could be referred to as an indifferent first half against Pontefract, did take the lead in the 50th minute when Boyle beat two defenders on the right and then whipped in a ball that met the head of midfielder Tom Haigh who headed home surrounded by four defenders. Thirteen minutes later and the visitors were level after Vaughan Redford headed in off a post to thwart Souter after a fine move down the left that went unchecked.

The Pontefract line was being well led by former Mytholmroyd-based Town player Eli Hey who was booked in the 65th minute and then five minutes later saw his midfielder Jamie Williams sent off for an alleged violent attack on Town’s skipper Danny Racchi who also received a caution for retaliating.

It was a frenetic remaining 20 minutes plus added time as Town, hoping to make use of the extra man, did throw themselves forward but Pontefract defended well and also attacked at the other end before referee Garry Fletcher-Tindall blew time to what was a frustrating game.

Town have no game this Saturday owing to Hebburn Town being away to York City in the 2nd qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup. The rearranged date is very much looking like Monday, 19th October 7.45. just awaiting the NPL management are happy with the arrangements between the two clubs..

In the meantime Town have been drawn at home to Knaresborough Town in the first round of the West Riding County Cup and are trying to fix a date with their Northern Counties East Premier Division opponents. Brighouse have put Monday November 1st to Knaresborough and await their confirmation.

Their next meaningful action will be on Saturday week when they travel to Widnes in the Buildbase FA Trophy qualifying round. There will be a replay if the sides are level on 90 minutes.

Brighouse Town have been informed by the FA disciplinary Committee that their appeal against Brett Souter’s red card against Pickering last week has been successful and he will not now serve a suspension.

Don’t miss out on getting your bumper 34 page matchday programme at Saturday’s game against Pontefract. It’s packed with facts, figures and interesting articles !!

BRIGHOUSE TOWN surrendered a two goal lead at Pickering Town on Tuesday night, the equalising goal coming in the twelfth minute of added on time after controversial circumstances. What rubbed salt into the wound even more was the fact that both goalscorers for the Pikes were former Brighouse players!

Once Brighouse had settled down on the undulating pitch they took control and were rewarded in the 29th minute with a thunderous strike from Lawrence Sorhaindo collecting a through ball out on the left and then when just in the box unleashing a shot to beat Adam Kelsey.

It remained 1-0 at the break although the visitors had more chances to increase the lead through Jack Boyle and James Hurtley.

Brighouse began the second half playing some lovely football and giving the home defence nightmares and their reward came in the 55th minute when Tom Haigh played a lovely angled ball over the top and Javelle Clarke latched on to it at the far post and rifled home.

However, four minutes later and the home side had pulled one back as Alhassane Keita beat three defenders out on the left and then unleashed a screamer to beat Brett Souter.

Nine minutes later and Brighouse’s attacking rhythm was broken as the impressive Sorhaindo had to leave the field with a head injury. He was replaced by Zeph Thomas and six minutes later Clarke was replaced by Mohammed Ibrahim. The visitors looking for game management to see out the game 2-1 up suffered a big blow in the 80th minute when referee David Holmes award the home side a penalty.

Wayne Brooksby had his penalty attempt saved by Brett Souter down at his far post, but the linesman informed the referee he had been off his line and Mr Holmes asked for it to be taken again. A home player appeared to kick out at Souter who was hugging the ball and then the player fell to the ground in front of Souter and the referee who showed Town’s keeper a red card.

At the same time Town’s skipper Danny Racchi was shown a second yellow card for a further caution and he was sent off as well reducing Town to nine men. With no stewards to shepherd Souter and Racchi to the dressing rooms an altercation broke out and Town officials were yesterday looking at footage for a possible appeal on Souter’s dismissal and alleged physical attacks on Racchi.

Tall midfielder Elliot Harrison went into goal for the first time in his career and was very calm and collected in keeping the home side out. Harrison lined up to face his first penalty-the retake-but he needn’t have worried as Jackson Jowett, now in the 84th minute, blazed well over the bar.

There was no announcement of added time and Town manager Vill Powell was asking the referee who only replied to say there was two minutes left but in the fourth minute after that fact Pickering’s Devonte Morton scrambled the ball just over the line from a corner as 12 minutes added time approached on the clock.

Town’s players and officials did not enter the pavilion for an after match meal and were escorted in a group to the car park of which NPL official were being notified yesterday.

Town on Saturday entertain Pontefract Collieries (3pm) and on Monday night Bridlington Town (7.45) will be the visitors. Their September 18 away game at Hebburn Town has been postponed with the Newcastle side progressing in the FA Cup.

Former Town manager and Brooksbank, Elland schoolmaster Paul Quinn has left Tadcaster Albion to become academy manager at Sheffield United.

Town’s youthful academy side fell at the first hurdle of the FA Youth Cup against a bigger, stronger Farsley Celtic team last Wednesday evening. Town got off to a horror start when conceding early on after a long ball over the top caused a defensive mix up. They did level the score on the half hour mark when Paul Ikoe controlled an aerial through ball before slotting home.

Manager Simon Ward said the message to the players at half- time was to manage the re-start by developing more composure in possession, and pressing ferociously out of possession. This was thwarted, however, with goals for the opposition in the 50th 70th minute marks. Town hit back late on after excellent work by Bobby Hamer who created a chance for vice-captain Kian Butterworth to fire home, albeit too little too late for our lads who can hold their heads up high competing against an older, more experienced and physical side. Five of the team were invited to train with the first team on the back of the performance and took part in a training game last Saturday with Vill Powell’s men.

There will be a Memorial and Celebration game next Wednesday night at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium (7.0) between Brighouse Town U14s and Bradford City U14s in memory of Brighouse High School student Tomi Solomon aged 13 who drowned in the river Calder on June 1.

Tomi, born in Leiden in the Netherlands, was Bradford City academy player for the past three years and very highly thought of and so much so they have retired the No8 shirt right across the Bantams’ academy.

He was a friend of the Andy Pearson coached U14s team at Brighouse and also went to school with many of them, several of whom were with him on the day he got into trouble in the river and drowned.

There will be no admittance charge on the night but a bucket collection in memory of the very popular Tomi.

Town officials have organised a race night on Saturday, October 9 for membership right across all they encompass at the progress club. Funds will be raised to support the junior boys and girls teams, youth teams for boys and girls, the academy side and the men’s and women’s teams.

In the meantime, all coaches will be getting their playing staff to sell sponsorship and for the horses in the races.