Brighouse Town 2 v Silsden 4

Town suffered their first pre-season defeat under Mick Couzens, but the new Manager and the players will have learnt as much from this defeat as they did from the two previous victories. Silsden took the lead after only two mins when dangerous Bradford City loanee Darren Stephenson was too strong for the Town defence and he fired past Clark Lydon. The goal knocked Town out of their stride and the movement from the Silsden strikers was causing the locals problems.

Silsden scored a second on 14mins following an excellent delivery into the box from a free kick, the Town defence failed to attack the ball and Ben Lamb bundled the ball home. Town created their first real chance on 21mins when Crossley played the ball into Shane Hamilton and the big striker laid the ball back for Ryan Brook to shoot a yard over the crossbar.A minute later, the visitors went 3-0 up when John Douglas's cross was stabbed home from close range by Chris Simpson. Danny Hull tried his best to get the home side going, shooting just wide of the upright from a Crossley pass and then the same two players combined again, this time Crossley volleying narrowly wide from Hull's deep cross.

Worse was still to come for Town when Silsden made it 4-0 on 35mins, again Stephenson getting the better of the Town defence to fire low into the net. Town keeper Lydon pulled off a good save from Stephenson's volley on 38mins to prevent the scoreline getting worse. Jacob Lever made a good run down the left flank for Town but his dangerous cross couldn't find a Town forward. Just before half-time, Town pulled a goal back with a stunning long range effort from Chris Wdowcczk that found the top corner of the net to make it 4-1.

Town started the second half brightly after Mick Couzens had reminded the player of their duties during the interval. Wayne Crossley made it 4-2 with a crisp finish after good work from Antony Brown and Danny Hull. Dave Woffenden was seeing plenty of the ball down the left flank, curling one pin-point cross onto the head of Dave Conway who headed inches over. Town were back in the game and were working incredibly hard, none more so than Shane Hamilton who robbed a defender, played a one-two with Crossley but saw his powerful shot well saved. Hamilton then had another effort on target after being set up by Dave Pemberton.

Town's first half performance was one to forget, but to the players credit the second half performance was much improved and their work-rate right to the final whistle was testament not only to their fitness but also to their attitude and commitment.