Eccleshill Utd 2 - 3 Brighouse Town

Brighouse Town produced a brilliant second half performance to overturn a two goal half-time deficit in a cracking local derby to get the new season off to a winning start.
Town’s problems started before the match had even started with centre back Ben Charlesworth getting injured in the warm up and having to be replaced by U19 player Oliver Taylor. The game itself saw Town nearly take the lead after only 24 seconds when Scott Price’s pass found Kieran Corley but his low shot went just the wrong side of the post. Play was going from end to end, Lee Williams pulling off a good save after 5 mins, then Town striker Wayne Crossley hit the bar from a corner on 8 mins.
Town suffered a major blow on 10 mins when Andy Markham pulled a hamstring and had to be substituted by Lee Malcher. Williams handled a powerful drive well and at the other end Corley and Steve Ward both had attempts on goal as both sides tested each other.
Eccleshill took the lead on the quarter hour mark, the left winger getting his cross in too easily with Lee Cornforth scoring from close range. Buoyed by the goal, the home side now started to get on top and Town looked disorganised resulted in Eccleshill scoring again after 20 mins through Darren Fletcher with a deflected shot as the defence hesitated.
Town started to regain their composure and hit back; Crossley had a shot after being found by a Mark Brady free-kick, Danny Ryan attempted an overhead kick from a Malcher knock-back, and Corley produced some neat footwork on the edge of the box to loose his marker but shot narrowly wide.
It’s fair to say there were some harsh words said at half time, but whatever it was it certainly worked because although two goals down at half time, the locals had certainly not been outplayed but disappointedly neither had they played to anything like their true potential.
Fullback Callum Rodgers set the tone for the second half with a crunching tackle in the first couple of minutes and from then on every player raised their game. Brady had a tremendous 25 yd shot tipped onto the bar after 54 mins but only a minute later Town were back in the game when Malcher scored with a bullet header from a corner. Town swarmed over the home side, Ward shielded the ball well before putting over a lofted cross which Malcher headed on target. The inevitable equaliser came after 59 mins when Corley confidently placed his shot in the bottom corner after good work from Danny Ryan.
Town were dominant all over the field, experienced defender Jonny Haigh was literally throwing himself into aerial challenges to win the ball, and Oliver Taylor looked like he had been playing at this level for years instead of making his debut. Not only were Town on top but they were making chances; Danny Ryan volleyed over from a Crossley pass and Scott Price’s cross from deep was headed just over by Steve Ward.
Taylor then failed to keep his header down with the goal at his mercy from a Brady corner and then on 75 mins Corley tried to be too precise with a clear chance from 8 yds out which went straight into the keeper‘s arms. Town sent on the fresh legs of Ryan Farrell and Damien Melvin and really pushed for the winning goal their 2nd half performance deserved.
Malcher looked to have won it for Town on 78 mins but his shot hit the post but the Town supporters got the goal they wanted with 6 mins remaining when another good ball from right back Scott Price wasn’t dealt with by the Eccleshill defence and Damien Melvin slammed the ball home.
Manager Mark Brier was delighted with the players response to his and Daren Attwood’s half-time “instructions” and singled out young Calum Rodgers for the way he lifted the side with his sheer determination to win the ball in every tackle. Brier went on to praise Mark Brady in midfield who used his experience to prompt and direct his team mates, Lee Malcher whose heading ability is proving to be a real asset to Town and the contribution of sub Damien Melvin who is always likely to get a goal and duly obliged.
If this game is anything to go by , games involving Town this season are certainly going to be entertaining and the Club are expecting a good crowd at the Dual Seal Stadium next Saturday for the first home game of the season against Askern Villa.