Town get back to winning ways with Runcorn victory
GOALS EITHER side of halftime for Brighouse Town and a more solid performance ensured they got back to winning ways with a 2-0 home success against Runcorn Linnets.
Central defender Reece Kendall belted in a tremendous 25-yard free kick on 44 minutes and man of the match Tom Haigh obliged in the 48th minute when he dabbed home the ball that was bouncing around in the six yard box.
Town had to draft in their number two keeper Matt Smith on Friday teatime after the FA disciplinary panel ruled that skipper and first choice custodian Jordan Porter should be banned for three matches and fined £140 for foul and abusive language towards the match official at Runcorn two months previously.
Smith came back from his dual registration agreement at Albion Sports and Town’s third choice keeper Jamie White went on loan to the Bradford-based club that plays in the Northern Counties East League’s Premier Division.
Smith went on to have a fine game, pulling off some vital saves and also distributing the ball well.
The Linnets had arrived at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium on the back of a five match unbeaten league run and once they had found their feet they certainly gave new on loan right back signing from FC Halifax Town Jay Benn, Kendall, standin skipper Kurt Harris and Harrison Beeden plenty to think about via Kyle Hamid, Connor McCarthy and Liam Caddick.
The breakthrough came shortly before half time when referee Jamie Rhodes awarded Town a free kick in front of goal and Kendall’s shot flew into the net to beat Michael Emery.
The second half was only three minutes old when Alhassane Keita was bundled over in the box by Emery and Declan Gallagher but the referee allowed the advantage for Haigh to pick up the loose ball and bury it in the net.
Two minutes later and Harris had to leave the field after overstretching going for a ball and he was replaced by new signing Jack Boyle.
In the 56th minute Luke Rawson came on for Keita and what an industrious time he had until the final whistle. Playing his last game on loan after being recalled to Chesterfield by caretaker manager John Pemberton, he dragged the Linnets’ defence all over the place and narrowly missed the target in the 88th minute.
The visitors gave their all to try and pull a goal back but they were denied by Smith and some hard work from the likes of Josh Grant and James Hurtley to supplement their defenders.
Town gave a league debut to 17-year-old wideman Javelle Clarke in the 63rd minute coming on for Ousman Cham and he showed some nice touches.
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