Despite a genuine excuse of having players missing – especially in forward areas – there was a feeling of disappointment in the performance against Silsden, but that was well and truly put to bed from kick off on Tuesday evening.
Town set the tempo straight from the offing – and that bore almost immediate reward as returning front man Eli Hey put Brighouse in front with only a minute played. He picked up the ball on the right of the Silsden penalty area and smashed home with a clinical finish.
The pressure continued unabated and the lead was doubled against the division’s high-fliers after just five minutes. Jack Storrie delivered a telling corner into the danger area and the final touch into the net was applied via the face of centre half Courtney Smith!
A series of fine performances in the Under 16’s saw Suleman Rafiq step up to the Under 19 side – and he displayed plenty of his attacking guile and skill on the ball in a solid debut. He could have added to Town’s advantage – but headed Ashton Richardson’s cross just over the bar.
It took until half way through the first period for The Ammers to have their first sight on Joe Stead’s goal – but Ben Connor’s effort from range was easily held. This was in the main down to a tremendous work ethic through the Town ranks. Thomas Rose and Connor Ashworth were tigerish in the tackle and efficient in distribution in midfield, whilst Ben Grech-Brooksbank, Rafiq and Storrie linked well with front man Hey. In defence Town captain Luke Hammond commanded the back four alongside Conner Tuff, Smith and Richardson impressively. All four defenders notably got in big challenges at some point during the first half to deny a dangerous opposition forward line.
As the half progressed Brighouse remained in control and when Grech-Brooksbank slid Hey on goal only for Ammers keeper Josh Avery to save, it served as warning of Town’s continued attacking intent. Minutes later the same combination served the home side well and Hey slid home his second of the match to make it 3-0.
Storrie and Hey were both present as Avery tipped onto his bar following a goalmouth melee – and Hammond made a terrific block challenge on visiting midfielder Nathan Valentine as he was shaping to shoot to ensure the three goal advantage was carried into the break.
As expected the visitors set about trying to set the tempo themselves at the start of the second period – but Town fought fire with fire in continuing at a high tempo themselves. Ashworth saw a lofted effort goalbound cleared off the line after a good move as his side looked to kill the game off with a fourth goal.
Grech-Brooksbank added the flamboyant with an overhead scissor kick just flying over the bar, before Hey turned and shot expertly during a good attacking opening.
Hey will feel he should have gone closer to securing a hat-trick, but headed wide after excellent work out wide involving Storrie and Rafiq found him in the box; before Rose made a lung-busting burst from midfield but his shot at the end was parried.
The visitors had rarely troubled Joe Stead’s goal – but managed to take the gloss off the scoreline, if not the performance with two goals back from corners in quick succession.
Ben Connor’s deliveries proved a real problem for the Town defence, allowing first Ammers captain Josh Lampey and then Alex Noteman to deflect the ball into the Town net.
Jack Sewell and Oliver Scott came on for Brighouse and the fresh legs helped make sure that a deserved win was recorded however – and more importantly a top performance put on to get the season back on track.
Town’s next match is away at Silsden on Thursday March 8th in the league, before a huge game at The Dual Seal Stadium on Wednesday March 14th, when Field AFC are the visitors in the Quarter Finals of the Pat Rice League Cup. Both kick offs 19:45.

Brighouse: Joe Stead, Ashton Richardson, Conner Tuff, Thomas Rose, Luke Hammond (c), Courtney Smith, Ben Grech-Brooksbank, Connor Ashworth, Jack Storrie, Eli Hey, Suleman Rafiq. Subs: Matthew Hartley, Jack Sewell, Rob Wadsworth, Jordan Goldthorpe.

Yorkshire Amateur: Josh Avery, Ben Connor, Basheak Bussue, Alex Noteman, Josh Lampey (c), Nathan Valentine, Adam Shaw, Ryan Mills, Joe Wilks, Killian Mabey, Courtney Westcarr. Subs: Bien Kayij, Patryk Barylski.