A goal drought over four games since September 24 has prompted Brighouse Town manager to strive harder for a proven striker ahead of Saturday’s away game at Dunston (3.0).

Town have missed long term injured goalscoring talisman Laurence Sorhaindo and the loss of Mohammad Qasim to Guiseley, where he has been scoring and making several assists, has robbed Town of a potent twin-strike force and also seen them plummet down the table.

Saturday’s 3-1 home reverse to Grantham Town saw Town slide from fifth to 10th and yet, despite playing with 10 men for 76 minutes, they were the better footballing side. They did hit the crossbar twice through Tom Haigh from 25 yards out in the first half and then Jack Boyle from his own free kick which had come back to him on the edge of the box in the second half.

In the meantime, there had been three goals and the sending off after 14 minutes. Manchester referee Joe Cunningham in his first season at step 4 level handed a red to left wing-back Callum Charlton for allegedly pushing over Lee Shaw. Ashton Hall made no mistake from the spot and he was on target in the 33rd minute after another penalty award.

Town did pull one back on the stroke of half time when Zeph Thomas bustled the ball over the line to make it 2-1 and give Town and their supporters the hope in the second half they could rescue something from the game.

Town keeper Michael Roxburgh in the second half had very little to do as Town bossed the game but couldn’t find the back of the net and it was the visitors who got a late third goal through substitute Ricky Miller to make it 3-1 in the fifth minute of added on time.

Prior to that score Town substitute Myron Gibbon had a great chance to level matters when coming in to the box from the left unopposed but he took too long to pull the trigger and the chance was lost.

Manager Powell said after the game that with a full side he had no doubt Town would have won the game after his players had certainly played the better football with a man down but once more they were not clinical enough on goal.

The Town manager after viewing several angles of the Charlton sending off has appealed to the FA Disciplinary committee at Wembley with a view to having the red card rescinded and his player then hopefully being available for selection and travelling to the north east.

The hearing will be taking place today, Thursday.

The FA match observer for last Saturday, Denis McCarthy was unable to stay for the game following a serious car accident near to the ground. Mr McCarthy was in a collision with another car and did walk into the Yorkshire Payments Stadium where he was assessed by Town physio Emily Harnden.

The Stalybridge-based official then returned to his car to await the RAC coming for it and he later went to the A&E department of a Greater Manchester hospital to be treated for a neck injury and concussion.

Third-placed Dunston are having a good season and are also still in the FA Trophy, and Town, who won there last season, will find their 90 minutes this term a much harder challenge.

Injured centre-back Matty Nebard (fractured wrist) out of action since the September 3 win over Carlton Town was putting his hand up to be considered for selection with a special encasement over the wrist.

Town’s academy side are at home today (Thursday) to Skelmersdale (1.00) and hoping to land their first win of the season.

Town’s U-23 side went out of the Halifax & District FA Cup at the first hurdle last Saturday losing 5-1 to Old Earth, Elland-based Huddersfield Amateurs.

The rearranged Pontefract Collieries game will take place on Monday 14th November; 7:45pm KO at The Yorkshire Payments Stadium.

The original game which took place on Tuesday 4th October was abandoned after 11 minutes when Pontefract goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson sustained a deep gash above his eye and was transported to hospital by ambulance.

The rearranged game will be FREE of charge to supporters with collection buckets by the turnstile for Lloyd who is self-employed and unable to return to work or to football as a result of the injury for the moment in time.

#OneTownOneTeam

BRIGHOUSE Town had their NPL Division One East home game with Pontefract Collieries abandoned after 11 minutes on Tuesday night. Visiting goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson was badly injured to the head when going down to make a save from the advancing Town centre forward Elliot Harrison.

His physio was soon on the pitch, and she was joined by Town’s Emily Harnden and they treated the wound and at the same time made sure he wasn’t moved and covered in medical foil and jackets from the bench to keep him warm. An ambulance was called as he was in a concussed state, and he was later taken to the Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.

Referee Joe Moss, son of former Premier League referee Jon Moss and now Head of Referees with the FA, consulted his two assistants and both managers and said there was only one thing he could do after a 45-minute delay and that was to abandon the game.

Some of the visiting supporters took a refund but the Town committee thought quickly on their feet and the re-arranged game will be free entry to all those who want to attend.

Town went into the game without experienced centre forward Zeph Thomas who collected an Achiles injury at North Shields. Elliot Harrison was recalled from his dual registration with Eccleshill United and may well be involved at Bridlington on Saturday.

Today (Thursday) manager-coach Harry Birro makes his managerial debut as his Town Academy side welcome Mossley (12.00) to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium. Admission is free but the clubhouse will be open for beverages.

Town came back from north of the Tyne with a valuable point from a 0-0 draw with North Shields.

Watched by The Robins club president Malcolm `Supermac’ McDonald, the ex-England and Newcastle United star striker, Town had to defend in the first half against a very strong wind and spirited home attack on the cliff tops above the North Sea and then, guess what, the wind subsided considerable for the next 45 minutes.

In a world wind five minutes into the game the Town goal survived with good blocks and some astute keeping from Michael Roxburgh.

It took Town around 20 minutes to start imposing themselves on their hosts and when they did there were some narrow escapes for the home side with Jack Normanton really stinging the fingers of keeper Finlay Hodgson as he turned a goal bound shot over the bar.

Skipper Tom Haigh and Corey Gregory worked hard in midfield against the wind to provide widemen Normanton and Javelle Clarke with some ammunition to break the deadlock. However, despite the home side also having chances at the other end it remained goalless on the break.

Again, in the second period there were chances for both sides and manager Vill Powell also brought on fresh legs to try and get the all-important winner via Myron Gibbons, Callum Charlton and Sam Drake but to no avail despite hairaising moments in the home defence.

In added on time, the hearts of the away supporters almost stopped as Liam Doyle whipped in a cross across the six-yard box, but Brad Hird could not get his head to it, and they all breathed again as the ball went for a corner.

Assistant manager Stacy Reed said he was well pleased with the draw from a feisty game in the conditions, and in which seven players were cautioned.

Town have been drawn away to Doncaster club Armthorpe Welfare in the first round of the West Riding County Cup and hope to play the game on Tuesday, October 25 (7.45). The Northern Counties East Division One Club, currently fourth from bottom, have said they don’t want to compete, but WRCFA official Lee Ashforth has told them its mandatory. Town officials await the outcome of the impasse later this week.

On Saturday, Town have a trip to the seaside as they visit Bridlington Town (3.0) who have started the season far better than they did last term. They follow this up on the Tuesday, October 11 (7.45) with a trip to the oldest club in the FA, Sheffield FC.

On Saturday, October 15 they return home to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium with a game against Grantham Town who were relegated at the end of last season from the NPL Premier Division.

*Please note that if you purchased a Golden Goal ticket or a Half-Time Draw ticket, the tickets will be honoured at the replayed game with Pontefract Collieries so please hang on to them……..and bring them with you to the game.

A reminder from the PA announcement, the Town committee have decreed that it will be free entry for the game when it is replayed.

We wish the Pontefract goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson all the very best and will update the Twitter and website accounts as soon as we have up to date information.

We are delighted to hear that Pontefract Collieries goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson is recovering well and the injury first sustained is not as serious as first thought. We hope he’s back on the pitch in the near future.

We’d like to give a special mention to Emily Harnden, the club physio, and Pontefract’s physio for their speedy reactions to the situation and supporting Lloyd whilst he waited for the ambulance to arrive. 

With last night’s game being abandoned after 11 minutes of play, we have decided that the rearranged fixture will be a FREE of charge entrance for all supporters.

Please note that if you purchased a Golden Goal ticket or a Half-Time Draw ticket, the tickets will be honoured so please bring them to the replayed game.

We will update supporters of the rearranged date on social media and the website as and when it has been finalised.

James Howard/Charlie Tolley – Chairman and Vice Chairman