Brighouse Town 1 v Rossington Main 2 - Brighouse Echo

Brighouse Town 1 v Rossington Main 2 - Brighouse Echo
Club News | Wed 16th Sep 09
Posted by Ray McLaughlin

NCEL Wilkinson Sword Trophy Second Round. Slow start sees Town miss cut - EMILY PARKER from the Brighose Echo reports.

BRIGHOUSE Town, currently third in the Koolsport NCEL Division One table, suffered defeat in the first round of the Wilkinson Sword Cup on Tuesday evening. A poor start to the match against the visiting Doncaster side saw them two down at the half tiADVERTISEMENTme break.
A better second half, coupled with a scintillating performance and goal from substitute Dave Watson, saw them score but it was a second half surge too late to secure a win.
Coach for the night Darren Attwood said of his much changed team: "We changed the system a little bit in the first half and played a little bit, and played a different role where the two wingers were further advanced than what we have done in previous games this season, and that's something Mark (Briers) and I have been working on, and in the coming weeks hopefully that's a system we can play and get more effectiveness out of Danny Ryan and Dave Watson as an attacking force."
"Watson did change the game, he was given specific instructions, the same way Lee Malcher was in the first half, but obviously Dave (Watson) has an abundance of pace to burn and he can destroy fullbacks and that's what he did and I was pleased with that."
"If we had put a stronger side out then yes we could of possibly won it but it's something we discussed in the Wilkinson Sword, putting a younger side out to see how they did against Northern Counties East opposition, and I think Sam Coop had a good game. He grew into the position at right full back as the game went on and got better and better.
"There are no injuries for Saturday as we have saved a lot of the first team players tonight, but a couple got a run out at the end of the game, which I didn't plan, but we should be running at 110 per cent come Saturday and we are excited for the first game in the Vase and the significance for the club.
"All in all I am pleased with the second half outcome. I probably asked a bit too much in the first half. I threw them in at the deep end to see how they coped, but there were a lot of positives."
Rossington Main were awarded a penalty by referee Paul Haycock in the third minute when Brighouse goal keeper Reece Richardson brought down Lee Holmes who had gone clear of the defensive line.
Andy Culshaw stepped up to the spot and netted the ball, giving them a 1-0 lead and the visitors continued to attack, Jason Stokes firing the ball just over the crossbar.
In the 14th minute Brighouse were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box when Nathan Cartman was brought down. Cartman swung the ball in but it was headed clear off the goalline.
A couple of minutes later Rossington's Brad Billam took a shot on goal but Richardson collected the ball in his safe hands.
In the 24th minute Rossington added a second goal when Stokes fired a shot that hit Richardson's left post and went into the back of the net. A minute later Richardson was under the cosh again when he deflected a shot from Holmes and a header from Stokes.
The visitors finished the first half much the better team and Rossington kept up the first half pace at the start of the second half when the impressive Stokes had the chance to extend his team's lead with a one-on-one with the keeper, Richardson, but he sent it high and over the crossbar.
Town then made several of their own attacks on goal, rattling Rossington's defence. Town having the upper hand in the possession.
In the 65th minute Town brought on the reinforcements with Callum Rodgers replacing Lee Malcher and Dave Watson for Chris Wdowceyk.
Super-sub Watson really stirred up the match down the right as the ball was kept deep in Rossington's area. He then blasted the ball firmly into the back of the net in the 75th minute to give his team hope of coming back.
Town made another change a minute later with centre back Ben Charlesworth limped off and Ryan Brook came on.
Samuel Coop then had a clear shot on goal but it was snuffed out by keeper John Griffiths.
With Rossington under pressure in the dying minutes of the game they brought on a fresh pair of legs in Callum Coburn, replacing Daniel Lodge. Town continued to pile on the pressure with close attempts from Lee Burgess and a header from Joseph Townsend going inches wide on the goal.
Town entertain their division's leaders Tadcaster Albion in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase (3.00) on Saturday.
Vice chairman Ray McLaughlin is hoping for the biggest attendance of the season so far to cheer his players on and manager Mark Brier is hot footing it back from a business trip to Germany via Stansted Airport in the early hours of Saturday morning to be at the game.
The Brighouse team on Tuesday was: Richardson, Coop, Wdowceyk, Cartman, Charlesworth, Townsend, Brady, Malcher, Crossley, Burgess, Ryan. Subs: Brook, Watson, Rodgers.