Brighouse Town 2 v Askern Villa 5

Club News | Sun 28th Sep 08
Posted by Ray McLaughlin
Brighouse Town 2 v Askern Villa 5 (HT 0 - 3)
Michael Evans(13)Daniel Ferguson(35,56,89)
Danny Bentley(54)Scott Swann(59) Graeme Severn (42)

The start of this match had to be delayed 45mins due to the Askern players being stuck in an M62 traffic-jam, but they didn't let this disruption to their preparations affect their game and proceeded to give Town a first half lesson in pass-and-move football that left the home side chasing shadows and visibly drained the confidence out of the majority of the team.
From the first minute it was obvious Askern were a good footballing side and wanted to knock the ball about, and due to a lack of leaders in the Town side, communication was poor which resulted in runners not being picked up which was clearly illustrated in Askern's first goal after 13 mins when not enough pressure was put an the ball-player allowing him time to pick out a great run from Michael Evans who coolly lobbed the ball over the advancing Paul Brown.
Town tried to respond with Jordan Maltas having a shot saved and minutes later Danny Ryan whipped in one of his trademark crosses from the left wing without anyone getting on the end of it. When are Town going to cash in on Ryan's delivery from wide positions as game after game goes by with the same story of "great cross from Ryan, but nobody on the end of it" ?
Scott Swann had a half-chance after 34 mins but couldn't keep the ball down when stretching to reach it, then a minute later Town found themselves 2 goals down through a similar move to the first goal, this time the through ball being despatched low into the corner of the net. Town were hanging on for half time but conceded a third goal from a corner on 42 mins when Graeme Severn wasn't picked up and headed home.
Town had been outplayed in the first half, but to their credit came out in the 2nd half and gave it a real go. Damien Gommersal replaced Ben Charlesworth at half time and stiffened up the defence and Town started to get at the Askern defence. When Danny Bentley smashed in Karl Amos's cross on 54 mins and Wayne Crossley fired just over there was hope of an unlikely comeback but this was dealt a cruel blow on 56 mins when Ferguson's shot was deflected over the head of Brown into the net very similar to the goal Town conceded against Emley. Town went straight back up field and made it 4 - 2 when Swann shot into the top corner and minutes later Wayne Crossley couldn't connect properly from 8yd, his shot being parried and Swann only finding the side netting with the rebound. Town were dominating and had a great chance to pull another goal back when Crossley skilfully made room to get a shot in but couldn't beat the keeper.
Askern had a great chance to extend their lead but missed a free header as Town got caught on the break but it was Town who were still pressing , Crossley again coming close as he turned his marker but shot over. Danny Ryan curled in a dangerous free kick that debutant Sam Frankland (a 65 min sub for injured Chris Wdowczik) headed inches wide and an identical free kick from the same player caused confusion in the Askern defence without a Town player getting on the end of it. Seven minutes from time Crossley hit the post and then saw his goal disallowed a minute later for off-side in what was Town last real chance and it was left to Ferguson to complete his hat-trick for Askern in the dying minutes as Town were caught on the break.
In any heavy defeat, it is always hard to evaluate whether your opponents were really good or you were really bad and the truth probably lies somewhere between the two. There is no doubt Askern are a good side and came into this game as a form side, but they can't be as good as Town made them look in the first half - you stand off teams at your peril in this League and Town paid for this. Credit should be given for Town's 2nd half commitment, but where was this in the first half and why did so many players go missing when the going got tough in that poor first half showing ?