Town turn their attention to FA Cup after heavy loss
After a hectic start to their Evo-Stik NPL Division One season Brighouse Town head to Chorlton-cum-Hardy for an FA Cup preliminary round tie tomorrow. Boss Paul Quinn will be hoping he has several more experienced bodies available after describing his squad as threadbare for Bank Holiday Monday’s home fixture with Scarborough Athletic.
He said the four games in nine days had taken its toll along with several players completing their annual holidays.
After two wins and a draw Town suffered their first loss on Monday, when Scarborough infliced a 4-0 home defeat.
That followed on from a 2-2 draw at Clitheroe last Saturday.
Danny Wilkins put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot after Leon Henry had brought down Richards Burns.
Town drew level just before the hour with Ryan Hall smashing the ball into the top right hand corner, but their joy was short-lived with Mercer heading home.
The visitors secured a deserved point when Halltook one touch before placing the ball home.
Ben Middleton set the Seadogs on their way on Monday before skipper Gary Bradshaw set up the unmarked Middleton for 2-0.
Full-back James Bennett added the third with record goalscorer Ryan Blott completing the rout.
“I am very disappointed, we were very niave,” said Quinn. “The first three goals could have been prevented, they were ridiculous.
“Don’t get me wrong, Scarborough are a good side, but there is not four goals between us.”
Chris Fisher is out with a viral infection but Tyrone Gay should be back as should Shaquile Clark-Adams. Tom Brown is still not available along with Jason Price.
Quinn had West Didsbury & Chorlton watched last Saturday for a second time - he himself had taken in a midweek league game two weeks ago - and they were comprehensively beaten 6- 0 away to early league leaders of the North West Counties League Premier Division.
“I am not reading too much into that after being informed that the Linnets are a tidy outfit and have won all six games so far this term,” added Quinn.
“This is a very busy level of the pyramid and I would like to ensure we win at the first attempt so as not to bring them back to our place next Tuesday.”
The heavy defeat to former Football League club Scarborough saw Town drop from seven place to eighth in the table but there are three other clubs above them on seven points with a better goal difference.
Unbeaten Salford City won their local derby with Droylsden by 2-1 in front of a 459 gate.
On Friday week, September 5 (7.00) there will be a Jimmy Heffernan Memorial match at the stadium between Top Club `Youngsters’ and Brighouse Town Past All Stars. while the annual Ray White Memorial Match between Brighouse Town Old Boys and East Bierley will be the following Friday (6.30).