TWO wins and a draw for Brighouse Town against much higher competition in the Evo-Stik League Division North have boosted confidence ahead of Saturday's home game with Radcliffe Borough (3.0).

A clearly delighted manager Vill Powell, clearly seen jumping in the air when Ivan Heeley put his side 2-0 up at Trafford said yesterday: "Although Saturday's result against Trafford may have surprised many, I've always maintained the belief that this current group of players has the ability to be competitive and beat the majority of teams in this league when we are on our game.

"Recent performances have shown that we do have the ability to be consistent in our performances, and it's key that while its good we have the belief and current confidence that good results naturally bring, we cannot become complacent in any aspect of our performance or our game.

"Week by week we are learning about ourselves and each other and brick by brick we are building something positive.

"We went into Saturday against Trafford with two of our most consistent performers missing through suspension but the pleasing thing was that both Aiden (Kirby) and Waide (Fairhurst) stepped up in abundance, as did everyone, and with Thomas Haigh putting in a man-of-the-match performance on his 100th appearance it shows that everybody at the club is fighting to get up the table.

"On Tom's 100th appearance, its an excellent achievement for `Haighy' who has been an ever present in my team and plans this year.

"Tom's attitude to the game and work rate has propelled him from someone who I had a slight doubt on in pre-season to someone who has been a main man for Brighouse this season and led to me to name him captain on several occasions.

"All this at the age of 21, and the club understanding his value and offering him a contract for his loyalty meant he didn't hesitate in signing and committing to the club despite suitors from elsewhere.

"Tom has got the ability and attitude to become a outright Legend at Brighouse and I personally would like to congratulate him on his performances so far that have enabled him to achieve 100 appearances with many more to come.

"Despite the decent form that Ferdy (Ferdinand Annor) has shown recently he unfortunately missed out on the squad on Saturday due to the fact I wanted as many attacking options on the bench as possible and Lewis Riley is currently keeping him out based on his form, and with the fact Grimmy (Daniel Grimshaw) can play in the back three, his versatility got him the nod ahead of Ferdy.

"In recent weeks we have been working closely with Ride in Brighouse at the Rokt Climbing Centre to do some spinning, something that we are very grateful for as it has enabled us to keep on top of our fitness when training facilities haven't been available. This has been crucial to the squad maintaining the necessary fitness to compete for 90+minutes every game.

"Going into Saturday against Radcliffe we have serious doubts for Adam Jones(hip) and Tom Haigh (knee) and we will assess them both at Leeds Road, Huddersfield training on Thursday night.

"We will be boosted by the return of both strikers Aaron Martin and Gabby Johnson and if both Adam and Tom do make it, it will be the first time I have had a fully fit and available squad all season which says a lot about our season this far really.

Add to that performance of the players Saturday, particularly the front two, provides me with my first genuine positive selection headache at the weekend.

Radcliffe Borough formed in 1949, who have league permission to become just Radcliffe FC from next season, are currently second from bottom with 20 points from 24 games, three less than Town have played.

Town came back from 2-0 down at Stainton Park back on November 11 to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Haigh (2) and Rhys Jenkinson who was making his debut that day.

The match on Saturday is being sponsored by Rastrick Cricket Club, a first at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium for the Drakes Huddersfield League Championship club. Go-ahead chairman Paul Shaw will be leading a party of ten at the match, something which has delighted Town's chairman Charlie Tolley.

Town's newest major sponsor, Northgate Sales and Lettings of Huddersfield and via their Bramston Street office in Brighouse, with close partners KIS Investments, are sponsoring the match ball.

Northgate's principal Kelvin Lodge is bringing a party of sixteen to cheer Town on and at the same time whet the head of his family's latest addition on January 6, Bethany Rose.

Kelvin, only lives a good goalkeeper's punt from Town's ground in Hove Edge with his fiancee' Amy and their other children Harley, 11, and Samuel, aged 7.

*There will be a presentation to Tom Haigh before the game to mark his 100 appearances.