By Matthew Burdin

Brighouse Town vs Matlock match report

Ten men Brighouse defeated by Matlock in close affair at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium

Brighouse Town lose out by three goals to one at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium on Saturday following an action-packed game that saw tempers flare.

It only took two minutes until the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Matlock applied instant pressure on Brighouse’s defence – and that pressure resulted in the opener when the ball was crossed in from the left-hand side, which consequently bobbled past the keeper and went into the goal off of one of Brighouse’s defenders.

After the opener, it seemed as if the day would be fairly comfortable for Matlock as they had a numerous amount of high-quality chances that were either saved by Brighouse Keeper, Michael Acquah or that narrowly went past the woodwork.

Matlock’s day got even better when 30 minutes into the first half Brighouse Captain, Harvey Booth, found himself with a straight red card for violent conduct following a reckless tackle that resulted in a minor bust up on the pitch.

Booth cannot have too many complaints over the decision, as he left his teammates in jeopardy as they had to reconfigure themselves into a shape that could handle Matlock with the extra man.

Despite things in the first half not favouring the Orange Army, a brilliant leaping header at the back post from Samuel Pashley saw the home side go into the break level at 1-1, leaving Matlock a bit shellshocked.

The second half saw Matlock again hit Brighouse with a lot of pressure, as Grant Black’s men looked to draw the away side in and then hit them on the counter.

Some good saves from Acquah, and fine blocks from the defence gave Brighouse a boost despite the fact they were playing with 10.

Brighouse were seemingly not phased by being a man down, which emphasises the credit that needs to be shown to the players and coaches who were fighting so hard to keep Matlock away from scoring.

The Orange Army even nearly took the lead following a great counterattack which allowed for Ethan Bojang to be 1 on 1 with the Matlock keeper, Dylan Wharton, where unfortunately on this occasion the keeper came out on top.

Shortly after, Matlock’s number nine, Conor Washington managed to give Matlock the lead following a composed finish which was as a result of a good save from Acquah which fortunately parried into the feet of the striker.

Brighouse fought incredibly hard to find an equaliser as the tempers started to flare amongst the players, with the referee having to stop and start the game frequently.

As the end of the game approached, Brighouse had earnt themselves a corner and following approval from the coaches, Brighouse goalie, Acquah found himself in the box as the Orange Army were looking to find any way of getting an equaliser.

The corner came in, and Acquah got the first contact, however it wasn’t enough to get the ball on target – the ball fell to Jason Davis, however he got smothered by Matlock’s press and consequently Matlock killed the game off via an open goal scored by Cameron Wilson.

Following this game, Brighouse remain in 15^th place, whereas Matlock jump up into 2^nd place as they chase promotion.

By Matthew Burdin

Brighouse host Matlock at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium in search of first win of 2026

Grant Black’s men host Matlock as they search for the clubs first win of the new year, and first win in nine games following a poor run of form.

Coming into this game, The Orange army find themselves in 15^th place following 25 games, however another loss combined with results going against them could result in them dropping all the way down to 18^th, signifying just how close the table is right now. 

Brighouse were scheduled to play away against Blyth Town on the 10^th of January, however following a morning weather inspection the game was postponed to a later date.

The last game Grant Black’s men took part in was on New Years Day, when Bradford Park Avenue comfortably won 2-0 at the Heffernan Utilities stadium following two goals in the second half scored by Marcus Carver and Kareem Hassan-Smith.

The visitors sit comfortably in third place in the league following an unbeaten run since early November, whilst also being only two points behind 2^nd place, Emley, with two games in hand.

Matlock themselves also had their last fixture postponed due to weather, meaning they too last played a game on New Years Day.

They kickstarted their year with a 4-0 victory at home against Silsden, following a brace from Jake Thompson as well as goals scored by Cameron Wilson and Alfie Jake Atherton.

Cameron Wilson is seemingly the brightest spark in the Matlock team, with him being the club’s top goalscorer this season as well as him being the third highest goalscorer in the league with 14 goals in 23 appearances.

Back in last October, Matlock took the bragging rights against the Orange Army following a 2-1 win with all the goals occurring late on in the game – hopefully this will inspire Grant Blacks’s men as they look to bounce back and give the fans a well-deserved and  long-awaited home victory.

by Matthew Burdin

Bradford Park Avenue come out victorious against Brighouse Town in New Years Day Derby clash

Two second half goals from Bradford Park Avenue proved to be the difference against Brighouse who looked unthreatening throughout.

A cagey first half between the two sides saw both teams go into the break level at 0-0.

Neither side could find a rhythm throughout the first half, with a lot of the half being cut up due to stoppages in play for the numerous injuries and fouls that occurred.

When the ball was in play, a lot of the play was in the air with both sides trying to unlock their attacks through winning aerial duels.

Brighouse failed to create any real chances of conviction during the first half, whereas Bradford Park Avenue created a few good attacks however they couldn’t find the back of the net, except for the time when Number 11, Connor Shanks slotted one home -however the flag went straight up.

The second half started and it was more of the same during the opening 10 minutes.

Brighouse Number one, Michael Acquah was forced into making a fabulous save following a close range shot that was fired at him with some power.

The Orange Army could have seen themselves go ahead shortly after following a counter attacking opportunity which arose as a result of the press from Romario Dunne who put the ball on a plate for Youssef Chentouf who couldn’t generate the power or the placement of his shot resulting in an easy save for Bradford Park Avenue keeper, Jack Hall.

Eventually, the deadlock was broken via Bradford Park Avenue number nine, Marcus Carver who executed a cheeky backheel which stylishly went through the legs of the Brighouse goalkeeper, Michael Acquah.

Bradford Park Avenue then started to apply even more pressure as they looked to kill the game off, and eventually that second goal came.

Kareem Hssan-Smith found himself in a great position following a cross that had passed everyone in the box, and the forward player composed himself and placed a fine finish past Acquah to make it 2-0 to the away side.

Following the second goal, the game deflated as both sides seemingly settled with the scoreline as the final whistle approached.

In relation to the league table, this result means Bradford Park Avenue are in 5^th place, and only six points away from 2^nd.

Whereas for Brighouse, they are in 15^th place and only 3 points below 12^th place – however they are also only four points above 19^th place, therefore showing just how tight the margins are down near the bottom of the table.

By Matthew Burdin

Brighouse look to kickstart 2026 with victory against out of form Bradford Park Avenue

The Orange Army Kick off the new year with a Yorkshire Derby against the out of form Bradford Park Avenue who have lost their previous two games and are winless since the 6^{th of} December.

Grant Black’s men however come into this game on an even longer winless streak – with the last victory dating back to the 8^th of November – which will hopefully motivate the players as they look to leave the poor results in 2025 and look forward to a new year full of wins.

Last time out for Brighouse it was a 1-1 draw away at Silsden where the Orange Army’s number seven, Nathan Curtis grabbed his sixth goal of the season in the sixth minute of the game.

Silsden fought back in the 23^rd minute when Luke Brooksbank found the back of the net, and then from their onwards neither side could find a goal that would secure them the crucial three points.

This is the first time that Brighouse and Bradford Park Avenue have met in the Northern Premier League, East Division this season, however last season when the two sides met neither side grabbed all three points on both occasions.

 The first meeting last year between the two sides was a 1-1 draw, and then when the two sides met again in April 2025 it was a 2-2 draw.

The home side will be especially excited by the prospect of winning and not drawing this time around, as three points for Brighouse could see them rise from 15^th place all the way up to 12^th place.

This isn’t to say that Bradford Park Avenue aren’t equally as enticed by three points, as every point is ever so crucial for them as they seek a playoff place in the hopes of promotion to the Premier Division.

Consequently, we should be in for a tasty affair at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium as both sides will be looking to begin the new year in style.