A cup tie loss and a defeat in the League were the outcomes of Brighouse Town’s two home games last week.

They lost 4-2 to Garforth Town in the first round of the West Riding County FA Senior Cup on the Wednesday and then lost 1-0 to a second half penalty against fourth-placed North Ferriby.

Against Garforth, manager Grant Black had to make numerous changes from the side that gained a valuable point at Stocksbridge Park Steels through players not qualifying or being injured. It was a good midweek workout for the fringe players and it made Saturday’s line up all the more stronger.

Into that side against the Humberside’s came new signing Joshua Eggington, a new fullback capture from Sherwood Colliery, and back in the line up was wide player Rhys Plater who had been in a car accident following the Stocksbridge game and as a result had missed the Garforth tie.

Striker or midfielder Romario Dunne led the line as a contracted player after agreeing terms in midweek and also back was Hull City loanee Cameron Gray.

Brighouse gave as much as they got, as they say in sporting parlance, in the first half half and could have taken the lead in the 21st minute but Niah Payne’s angled shot hit the wrong side of the post with keeper Ben Bottomley beaten.

It was 0-0 on the break and all to play for when just six minutes in Town gave away a penalty through an outstretched leg on North Ferriby’s striker Tom Corner and referee Joshua Drake pointed to the spot. Keeper Kyle Trenerry went the right way but Josh Whiteley’s spot kick just had a little too much on it and squeezed in at the corner.

Town over 15 minutes made four changes but they just could not find away through the North Ferriby defence and the home fans left the ground disappointed that their boys had got nothing form the game.

This Saturday Town are away to Pontefract Collieries (3pm) in what is always a tough place to visit but the new look squad is certainly not shot of commitment and the line up against North Ferriby looked much stronger at the back.

As against Belper Town and Ashington, Town need to score first and then let their opponents chase the game.

Town go into Saturday’s game sixteenth of the 22 clubs and are up against a Pontefract side who in ninth place after their 3-1 home defeat this past Saturday by Grimsby Borough.      

Another clean sheet and a very good performance from the Brighouse Town side brought a valuable point back from Stocksbridge Park Steels and the resultant 0-0 draw.

Following on from victories over Belper Town and Ashington, Town would probably have settled for a point before kick off against the inform South Yorkshire side and that is just what they got from a hard working performance.

Keeper Kyle Trennery was also in top form once more and so was debutant towering centre-half Kevy Tarangadzo, signed on the Friday from Liversedge.

Just over 30 minutes into the game Stocksbridge could have scored but for the crossbar as Danny Deakin’s corner found Alex Hardwick and his head rattled the crossbar and came away to safety. Town went up the other end and the home keeper, Ben Townsend kept out a header from Niah Payne. 

Shortly afterwards Boston United loanee Harry Wood was just about to stab home in a goalmouth melee but referee Thomas Viles controversially awarded Stocksbridge a free kick for a foul on the keeper.

At the break, Manager Grant Black had to replace an injured Payne with Curtis Morrison who has been re-signed on another months loan from Bridlington Town.

Town throughout the game found the home wide player Joao Silver a handful but it was a James Morris cross to Hardwick that nearly brought their winner but Trennery brought off a great save. 

Town had also given a debut to Hull City U-21 midfielder Cameron Gray and he showed up well until replaced in the 71st minute by Isaac Acquah, who carried on the good work.

Skipper Josh Grant and wide player Rhys Plater ran themselves into the ground and all the players received a massive ovation from the travelling Town fans at the end of the game.

Last night (Wednesday) Town were playing Garforth Town in the first round of the West Riding County FA Senior Cup ahead of this coming Saturday’s home game with North Ferriby (3pm), who are currently fifth in the East Division table. Payne was unlikely to have featured against Garforth and striker Danny Edwards has had the results of a scan and is out of action until into the new year.

Manager Grant is also awaiting news on  fellow striker Myron Gibbons (knee) and, as a result, is still looking to bring in the odd player or two.  

Seven days is a long time in sport and politics and a miserable five match winless run for Brighouse Town was brought to an end with a 2-0 win at third-placed Belper Town and a 1-0 home win last Saturday over Ashington who had just changed their manager.

The valuable six points took Town six places up the table from 19th to 13th and join a host of clubs in mid-table on 15, 16 and 17 points.

The change in fortunes began in the Derbyshire Peak District town last Tuesday evening and via a Niah Payne strike from the edge of the box in the 22nd minute that is Town’s goal of the season so far. It just rattled in to the home goal and the Town players mobbed Payne who has been consistent all season with his work-rate and skill.

Town’s defenders kept Belper at bay and shortly into the second half increased their lead when Payne again was on the end of a cross from a set piece to stab the ball home and make it 2-0.

The home crowd of 527 couldn’t believe that their players were being played off the park by a side at that time fourth from bottom and in the relegation zone.

Town saw the game out and their fans returned home up the M1 in great heart.

Saturday brought Ashington to the Heffernan Utilities Stadium who haven’t been enjoying a good season but were expected to perform for their new manager and in the opening few minutes they attacked the Town goal and were awarded a penalty when Jack Dando, back at the club on dual registration from Wombwell, brought down a player in the box. However, Town’s keeper Kyle Trenerry dived the right way and saved Michael Ndiweni’s spot kick.

Town got back into the game from then and put some real pressure on the Ashington goal and keeper Daniel Staples had to make several good saves. From a corner he gave away in the 36th minute, Boston United loanee Harry Wood crossed into the box from a short corner routine and Rhys Plater controlled the ball with his first touch and   laid it into the path of Dando with his next touch who then looped it over the outstretched hand of Staples.

Ahead of the goal Town lost the versatile Joshua Waldram with a knee injury after a heavy tackle and he was helped off the field.  

Town saw out the rest of the half and then the second and with some timely substitutions to take care of tired legs, Grant Black’s men saw off the Northumbrian outfit to the delight of their fans.

On Saturday Town travel to Stocksbridge (3.pm) in South Yorkshire where the home side is currently enjoying a successful period of six wins in their past seven outings including a 4-0 home win last Saturday over North Ferriby, and a midweek 1-0 away win on Tuesday night at Ossett Utd.

Black says Waldram has ligament damage and it is giving the camp concern and he more than likely will miss Saturday’s game.

Striker Danny Edwards has had his scan on the troublesome knee at Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, and awaits the outcome. Vice-captain Curtis Peters, the former Bradford City player, was on the bench with the management on Saturday and he came with bad news that he is out for the season with his back injury.

Fullback Curtis Senior has one more game to serve from his two match ban he got from the Newton Aycliffe game but will be available for next Wednesday’s home game with Garforth Town (7.45) in the West Riding County FA Senior Cup first round.

In the meantime town’s manager is looking to add more bodies to the squad to ensure it remains strong and more success can be forthcoming.