Brighouse Town came down to earth with a big bump after their 6-0 triumph over Pontefract Collieries last Monday as Long Eaton United beat them 4-1 last Saturday in their third home game on the trot.

In what could only be described as an inept first half display, they trailed 4-1 at the break and it could have been more with a disallowed goal for offside and Josh Dacre saving a certain `goal’ on the line-the ball ending up in goalkeeper James Hassall’s hands in front of him.

However, they did produce a far better second half performance in which they hit the post, the crossbar, the angle above the side netting and striker Laurence Sorhaindo missed connecting with a perfect cross in the six-yard box.

Right winger Rod Orlando-Young, a thorn in Town’s side all afternoon along with centre forward Ben Hutchinson and left winger James Walker,

opened the scoring for his side in the 13th minute after rounding Hassall and netting. Tom Cursons doubled their lead five minutes later after wrong-footing Hassall.

Walker made it 3-0 after twisting and turning in the box and then unleashing a powerful shot to beat Hassall.

Town pulled one back on the stroke of half-time as Sorhaindo trapped and then squared to Javelle Clarke to make it 3-1. However, Town did not see the half out as Cursons, two minutes into added time, made it 4-1.

Town did come out in the second half and battle, but they just couldn’t find the net and ended up losing to the Derbyshire side who are still a place below them on goal difference.

On Saturday Town travel to League newcomers Consett (3.0) who are two places above them and have five victories and five draws for their 20 points.

Keeper Brett Souter, despite being bodily fit from his long lay-off, has missed the last two games with flu but could comeback into contention.

There could be a return to the squad over the weekend for the returning Josh Grant, either at Consett or at the Horsfall Stadium, Buttershaw, for the second-round tie in the West Riding County Cup with Bradford Park Avenue on Monday (7.45).

Striker Myron Gibbons has gone out on dual reg to Doncaster club Rossington Main and wide man Alex King is on dual-reg at Dinnington.

Talented centre-back Aiden Walker, who injured a knee three weeks ago, is around a week to 10 days off being fit according to manager Vill Powell.

There is a coach leaving the Dusty Miller at 10.45 and the cost is £10.00

Today (Thursday) the club’s Academy side is at home to Ossett United Academy weather and ground conditions permitting (12.00).

On Saturday there is a trial match at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium (1.0) for U-23 players who want to progress into non-league semi-professional football.

Well, what a difference one result can make, especially when it’s as emphatic as a 6-0 win!! It’s fair to say we were desperate for a win after the recent run of results we have had, and in fact, any sort of win would have serviced, but to score six goals against 5^th placed Pontefract without reply and have six different scorers has not just given the players a boost, it has given everyone associated with Brighouse Town a real lift.
 I am especially pleased that our loyal band of supporters who turned out on a foggy, miserable evening to support the lads were able to enjoy that performance. I have to say, despite the scoreline, this wasn’t an easy game as I think Pontefract are one of the most aggressive sides in this division and compete for every ball. The quality of our finishing quelled some of the fire in their bellies, especially in the second half, and it was a joy to just sit back and enjoy the lads play some lovely quick attacking football and the goals fly in.
                            After mentioning the support for the club, I think the combination of the current cost of living crisis and our recent drop in form, has unfortunately led to a negative effect on our attendances, which is understandable. However, with Premier and Championship clubs having a break for the World Cup, it might be an opportunity for supporters of those clubs in the local area to come down to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium and lend their support to Brighouse Town. So, if any of you reading this have friends or family who fall into this category, I would politely ask you to point them in our direction if they are looking for some entertainment on a Saturday afternoon.
We are especially looking at our home game against Lincoln on Sat 3^rd Dec. If all goes to plan in the World Cup, England should be playing in the last 16 that day with a 3pm KO. We have therefore arranged for our game to kick off at 1pm in time for everyone to be able to get in the clubhouse and watch England hopefully make it through to the quarter-finals after Brighouse Town have secured another three points against Lincoln!!!

Thank you again for your support.
Ray McLaughlin – Life Vice-President.

Brighouse Town bounced back on Monday night in sensational style after eight games without a win to beat fifth-placed Pontefract Collieries 6-0 in the rearranged game.

Their dismal form since their 3-0 September 24 victory over Shildon had seen them drop from fourth in the table to third from bottom of the 20 clubs in the NPL East Division after last Saturday’s narrow and much improved 2-1 defeat to third-placed Cleethorpes Town.

In the game with the Owls from the Lincolnshire coast Town survived the ball going in the net on 30 minutes from Jordan Cooke header for an offside flag but two minutes later they went 1-0 down to a Curtis Bateson goal. Town keeper Jamie Hassall was chipped by Jack McMenemy, but he just managed to flick it on to the bar, however from the rebound Bateson hit the ball into the net.

From a corner on half-time Javelle Clarke managed to backheel an equaliser for Town in a busy goalmouth.

In the second half Town, with debutant winger Jack Wilson from Bradford City on view, played some very good football and deserved at least a point from the entertaining game with the high-flying visitors.

However once piece of slack defending on the left of goal in the 79th minute allowed Paul Walker to stride in on the angle and deliver a hard shot beyond the reach of Hassall.

Town had strong claims for a penalty when Corey Gregory was pushed over in the box, but referee Matt McQuillan waved them away and the winless run continued.

Different story two days later when, in the re-arranged game with Pontefract Collieries, Town were out of the traps like greyhounds and had two goals in the net after just five minutes to leave the 378-crowd stunned.

Corey Gregory grabbed the first on two minutes and the second was steered home by Josh Dacre in the fifth minute.

Pontefract didn’t lie down in what was a feisty derby game and they did have a goal ruled out for offside.

Town made it 3-0 after 40 minutes when keeper Jamie Hassall, who had a fine game, kicked out from his own box and found wideman Javelle Clarke in the centre forward position and he beat his defender and then went on goal to also beat visiting keeper Lloyd Allinson.

Town left the pitch to a roaring ovation and returned 15 minutes later to take up the baton again and attack their visitors with real skill and determination.

The back four of Mohammed Ibrahim, Sam Reed, Matthew Nebard and Josh Dacre were in fine form throughout and with midfielders Sam Drake and skipper Tom Haigh taking the side forward it wasn’t long before the fourth goal came. Jack Normanton came in from the right and whipped a ball into the six-yard box and it was meat and drink for the returning striker Laurence Sorhaindo who scooped it over keeper Lloyd Allinson on the floor, but in the scramble assistant referee Ian Thornton had to help Oldham referee Paul Roots be assured it was over the line.

The goal fest wasn’t over as in the 81st minute Jack Boyle grabbed his first goal since that Shildon game after he was played in with a fine ball by Normanton.

The latter, who had a blistering game, was also on the goal sheet three minutes later when he came thundering into the box and crashed his shot wide of Allinson to the sheer delight of the crowd.

Manger Vill Powell was delighted with the performance and along with his assistant Stacy Reed hopes that it is the start of a good run to put them back in the upper echelons of the table. This commences on Saturday with the visit of Derbyshire club Long Eaton United (3.0pm) who are 17th in the table.

In the meantime, utility player Josh Grant has returned to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium following his transfer last Friday from Tadcaster Albion.

There was a collection at the ground for the Pontefract keeper Lloyd Allinson who was badly injured in the abandoned October 4 game, and it raised £250.

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.

Brighouse Town with their 2-0 home defeat to league leaders Stockton Town last Saturday completed five games in October without a win and only registering one goal. Plus, they have slid from fifth in the table to 13th of the twenty clubs in the East Division of the PitchingIn Northern Premier League and in doing so also registered just one goal.

The 2-0 scoreline flattered the visitors from Teesside but then again, as they say, you have to get the ball in the net to win matches.

Town put in a very good performance with Elliot Harrison leading the line very well with energy and strength, but he couldn’t find the back of the net.

There was goalmouth action at both ends in the first half, with Town’s Michael Roxburgh providing the save of the game after tipping a thunderbolt of a shot over.

However, Stockton led five minutes into the second half through a penalty after Lewis King was upended in the box and Nathan Mulligan stepped up to just beat Roxburgh who did get a hand to it.

Chances were created by both sides as Town went for the equaliser, but the afternoon was baron ahead of with three minutes of added time played Matty Tymon managed to beat Roxburgh at his far post.

That was the last piece of action the Huddersfield Town loanee played for Town as the Terriers have recalled him from the loan he commenced in the closed season. The teenager, who commenced his playing career ironically at Stockton before moving south to the John Smith’s Stadium, said in a thank you to manager Vill Powell, his teammates and the Town supporters he had enjoyed his time at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium.

Manager Powell says his contracted keeper Brett Souter, out with a knee injury since before the end of last season, is not fit for a recall as of yet and it looks as though he could be heading for two games on a dual registration at Worsborough to get match fit.

The recall of Roxburgh leaves Powell with James Hassell to play at Worksop Town on Saturday (3.0), a side who beat Town 2-0 at home on September 10 in the first round of the FA Trophy.

The Nottinghamshire outfit are an outstanding side this season and currently are in sixth place in the table with four games in hand on those above them due to successes in the Emirates FA Cup and ISUZU FA Trophy.

Powell will have vice-captain Corey Gregory back after serving his three-match ban, but both experienced defender Matt Nebard and striker Laurence Sorhaindo are, he says, at least two weeks away from being able to be considered for selection. Veteran striker Zeph Thomas also missed the Stockton game with a calf injury he picked up at Dunston the previous week.

In the past week Halifax-based Reece Kendall has left Matlock Town who he joined from Brighouse Town two seasons ago and signed for Spennymoor Town, members of the National League North. The fullback, with a powerful shot to his name, had a clause inserted in his deal with the move to the Derbyshire club and Town have now benefited from a sell-on arrangement.

Centre-back Harrison Beeden went through with his signing for Whitby Town and made his debut last Wednesday evening in a 2-0 win over York City in a North Yorkshire FA County Cup game. He also scored a goal on Tuesday night in a 3-0 home league win over Bamber Bridge. Town signed the Goole skipper Josh Dacre last Friday to replace Beeden and he had a very good home debut. Powell says he will be all the better with more fitness under his belt and it was clear he had skippered a side the way he commanded the back four.

Bradford City have recalled their U-19 captain Bobby Pointon from his loan at Farsley Celtic. Pointon was moved there from Town in late September after impressing on the right for them and becoming a firm favourite with the Town faithful.

Town have also signed a manager for their U23 side that plays in the West Riding County FA Development League-Bradford Centralised Division-in Jonathon Rigby, a UEFA A licensed badge holder like the club’s senior manager Vill Powell.

Rigby, 29, had an extremely short playing career, at the age of 18 it was interrupted for nearly 8 years; having played in various positions and for a few local teams including Halifax Town’s academy the centre-back suffered a knee injury that side-lined him. It was during this time that he concentrated on coaching and taking his badges. Having reached the UEFA A licence, he is now excited and looking forward to his new challenge with Brighouse U23’s.

Tomorrow night at the ground (6.30) the annual James `Nibsy’ Heffernan Memorial game takes place supporting Overgate Hospice, Elland, with a bucket collection and fundraising on the night in the clubhouse.

The Mark Brady Memorial game this past Sunday raised £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation.