Brighouse Take The Derby Spoils

Brighouse edge seven goal thriller

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Ossett Town failed to back up the excellent performance and three points taken from Colne last weekend as relegation threatened Brighouse Town left Ingfield with the points thanks to a 4-3 victory.

Lee Ashworth made changes to the starting line up with Jake Ellam and Kane Bingley coming into the side at the expense of Fabian Bailey and Jason Yates who both picked up knocks at the weekend and took their place on the bench while Anthony Mackie took the number seven shirt with Nicky Boshell suspended.

Brighouse Town were quick out of the blocks, taking the lead as early as the third minute. Aaron Martin took advantage of a slip in Ossett Town defence, curling the ball past Overton from 18 yards.

The Reds almost drew level instantly as Alex Low saw his header from a left wing corner cleared off the line; it wasn’t long before the scores were level though as Mackie weaved his way inside from the right wing on eight minutes. His strike from distance should have been held as it was straight at Hallwood but somehow he let it slip through his hands and his legs to the delight of the home crowd.

Brighouse Town’s confidence belied their lowly league position as just two minutes later they had the lead again; an excellent left wing cross from Daniel Grimshaw was met by Oliver Crowley at the far post who headed home to restore the visitors lead.

The games fourth goal arrived on the quarter hour as the sides dealt exclusively in goals, every strike seemingly hitting the net. It was another cross, this time from the right for Brighouse that was headed in by Martin for his second and Brighouse’s third as they lead 3-1 with 75 minutes remaining.

The frenetic start continued as Alex Peterson went close to bringing Ossett Town into the game as Hallwood took an age with a back pass, eventually passing the ball to his full back as the tall striker closed in.

The Reds did get the goal back in the 22nd minute, Connor Griffin injured himself and had to be replaced as he conceded a freekick 30 yards out. After a long delay Martin Pembleton whipped over the free kick that eluded everyone and curled into the far post to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Pembleton’s fifth of the season.

Once again after conceding Brighouse went on the attack and can count themselves unlucky not to win a penalty just 60 seconds after the goal, a tangle of legs saw the striker go to ground, the referee lifted the whistle to his lips before waving play on to the astonishment of everyone in the ground.

The remainder of the half passed with little incident as both sides probed looking to add to the five goals already seen.

Lee Ashworth made two changes at half time with Jason Yates and Sam Wright replacing Alex Low and Kane Bingley. It was Wright into the action early as it was Ossett Town’s turn to have a clear penalty denied.

Wright struck the ball well from 20 yards, the Brighouse defender making a stop any goalkeeper would have been proud of with an outstretched arm, the referee waved away the appeals indicating he saw the ball strike the players leg.

Lee Ashforth’s men were much improved this half, Yates having the next chance to fall to Town as the ball fell to him ten yards out, he opened his body and curled the ball round the keeper but onto the post for the second time in two games.

Brighouse struck the woodwork themselves as Leigh Overton was called into action saving a well-struck shot.

Ossett Town continued to press as the half wore on and were caught out on the break as Brighouse sealed the points and Martin completed a hat-trick with ten minutes remaining.

Captain Alex Peterson grabbed a third for Ossett Town in the dying moments with a header from close range and almost made it 4-4 as the ball flew across the goal, a stretching Jason Yates unable to turn the ball home.

Ossett Town return to the road on Saturday with a trip to Mossley before our penultimate away game is also one of the longest next Tuesday at Colwyn Bay.

1. Leigh Overton

2. Jake Ellam (15. Charlie Freeman)

3. Ashley Jackson

4. Alex Low (14. Sam Wright)

5. Isaac Assenso

6. Kane Bingley (12. Jason Yates)

7. Anthony Mackie (Goal, 8)

8. Corey Gregory

9. Alex Peterson © (Goal, 90)

10. Martin Pembleton (Goal, 22)

11. Craig Nelthorpe

subs

16. Steve Nicholson

17. Fabian Bailey