Brighouse Town 2 Retford United 0
Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
By David Parker
With two games to spare Brighouse Town got over the Championship and promotion finishing line with a goal in each half to see off their north Nottinghamshire visitors.
As Town manager Paul Quinn pointed out post match, a big and physical Retford side had come with a game plan and didn't make it easy for his charges,
They had to fight for every ball and yard going forward, and especially in the first half playing against a chilly and strong east wind.
Another good crowd of 331 were cheering Town on and there was a good atmosphere in the Dual Seal Stadium.
In modern soccer parlance, Town's player were working their socks off to get the better of Retford, with skipper Leon Henry leading the way as Tom Matthews, Ernest Boafo, Ryan Hall and Danny Naidole covered some ground.
Sam Hewitt, Tyrone Gay and Martin Allison had to be on their toes as Retford's Reece Thompson, Sam Jones and Jake Stannard were constantly looking to break the shackles being placed on them.
Retford, champions in 2012, were proving to be one of the strongest and skilful sides, and vociferous in their disagreements to the match official, to have visited this term, when in the 32nd minute the breakthough came with a vital goal to leading marksman Tom Matthews.
Town had been awarded a free kick down the right some 30 yards from goal which was swung in towards the penalty box and Matthews managed to get a toe end to the ball to steer it away from a defender and goalkeeper James Hitchock and then cut back and steer it into the net.
There was a huge cheer from the crowd as the deadlock had been broken in this all important game sponsored by 3GI Soccer of Halifax.
Referee Anthony Moore, who had already warned Retford manager Paul Ward for constantly challenging his decision making, booked centre back Rob Sanderson in the 34th minute.
Retford were not going to lie down and were obviously still intent on spoiling the party when, in the 41st minute, Sam Jones let fly on goal and Town keeper Jacob Giles, who had a superb game, tipped his effort over the bar to safety.
Retford ended the half in the ascendancy and commenced the second 45 minutes in the similar fashion. Chris Fisher and Adam Field had their work cut out as the visitors ploughed forward.
Town's only response was a great shot from Henry which shot across the face of goal with Hitchcock beaten.
At this stage and with 15 minutes into the half Quinn replaced Hall with the experienced Jason Price who was well known to the Retford fans from his successful time with Doncaster Rovers.
He went up front to hold the ball and lay it off, also challenge and hassle the defence to make openings.
On the hour came the second goal for Town as Giles sent out a great long ball to Matthews who then found Henry who cut to his left in the box and then from an acute angle beat Hitchcock to the delight once more of the home fans.
Price was then denied with a clearance a foot or so in front of the goalline and then Henry found himself controversially booked for a hand ball when the ball had in fact bobbled up of the firm surface to hit his hand.
Price was enjoying himself up front and went agonisingly near again.
The manager then rested Allison and Matthews as he looked for fresh legs and at the same time to shore up his defence by playing five across the back.
Allinson was replaced by Ben Thornton and James Hurtley came on for Matthews.
Town calmly wound down the clock to ensure that they wouldn't have to wait for Monday's match to achieve their target and did so in a very professional manner.