Brighouse manager Paul Quinn was hoping and praying the floodlights would come back on at half-time. Brighouse went onto beat Glasshoughton 3-1.
Their fixture schedule is a nightmare anyway so the last thing title-chasing Brighouse Town wanted was another rearranged game to fit in, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Some must have feared the worst when 2-0 up at half-time during a must-win Toolstation NCEL Premier Division match at Glasshoughton Welfare the stand-side floodlights suddenly went out.
“It was bit ironic (when the lights went out) because back in September the same thing at happened at Brighouse (when we played Glasshoughton),” Brighouse manager Paul Quinn said.
That was match was called to a halt earlier than scheduled, just like Glasshoughton’s home match with Staveley Miners Welfare eight days ago for the same reason.
Fortunately the floodlights came back on last night and Brighouse went onto celebrate a deserved 3-1 win which puts them eight points behind leaders Tadcaster Albion with four games in hand.
Two goals from Danny Nadiole and a Ryan Hall penalty secured the victory and a relieved Quinn added: “It was a bit frustrating when it (the floodlights went off) happened especially because of the position we were in.
“We were hoping and praying they would come back on and the early indications were that they would be back on pretty quickly.
“It was a relief to see them come back on and we could resume play. Obviously with the position we were in and in the campaign we didn’t want to be dragging anything to a Thursday night.
“We had completely controlled the first half and looking back over the game I thought their man of the match was Paul Hagreen as he was outstanding and he pulled off some key saves at key times.
“We could have gone three or four ahead. When they got their goal we kept our calm and composure and that’s what it all about.
“It is a difficult place to come to on a Tuesday night and we knew it would be a tough game. It is a big result for us and a big three points.”
After two consecutive draws, Brighouse knew that returning to winning ways was vital in the race for the title and the visitors were dominant from the beginning.
Ernest Boafo wasted a great close opportunity as early as the sixth minute. Brighouse kept turning the screw and the opening goal was soon forthcoming.
The highly-rated Nadiole’s beautifully struck 25-yard shot found the top corner and the crucial three points were already in sight. Glasshoughton struggled to cope with veteran striker Jason Price. Despite his age, Price is still a handful and his hold-up play helped Boafo, Hall and captain Leon Henry create problems.
Although he would have to be replaced after being injured in the challenge, Boafo was orchestrator of the second goal. The striker was brought down by Adam Walsh the penalty area and referee Luke Watson pointed to the spot. With Boafo receiving treatment, Hall stepped and sent Hagreen the wrong way by placing the ball in the left corner of the goal.
Glasshoughton did not have a proper shot in the first half and it was left down to Hagreen, who has excellent first season at Leeds Road, to keep Brighouse at bay. He pulled off several great saves to ensure his side stayed in the game.
Half-time came and so did the drama. Five minutes into the break, the stand-side was shrouded in darkness for the second time in seven days. Fortunately the problem was quickly sorted on this occasion and the second half began 15 minutes later than planned.
Glasshoughton’s Josh Prudhoe (pictured) crossed for Del Pollock to score against Brighouse
Glasshoughton, now led by interim boss Jon Miles for the rest of the season, performed much better and they pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Josh Prudhoe’s superb cross from the left-wing found the in-form striker Del Pollock and he converted it from inside the six-yard-box.
That was during Glasshoughton’s best spell which Brighouse rode out without any further problems. Hagreen would continue to deny the visitors with his most notable save being one from a clean-through Hall.
But with five minutes to go Nadiole added his name to the score-sheet for the second time with another distance strike – his 22nd of the campaign.
Brighouse had too much for Glasshoughton and the home side’s manager Miles admitted his team were second best.
“(When the lights went out) against Staveley we were really disappointed, tonight we were thinking we have got out of jail here,” quipped Miles.
“At half-time we looking at getting beat four or five nil if we hadn’t upped our game and in the second half we showed some of what we can do.
“The first half was shocking. Tactically we were wrong in terms of our shape.
“We invited them on and never allowed ourselves to get out and we had no width and were very narrow.
“It has worked against sides who have come down the middle of us, but Brighouse went around the sides of us and we couldn’t live with them.
“We changed it around for the second half and we put in a much better performance. We looked more solid and created a few chances.”
For Brighouse though, there will be more drama in the last nine games – but hopefully not because of the floodlights.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Hagreen, Chappell (Kellett 57), Walsh, Seed (captain), Williams, Middleton, Thorpe, Barratt (Curtis 84), Serrao, Pollock, Prudhoe (Barraclough 79).
Brighouse Town: Giles, Hewitt, Fisher, Wilson, Gay, Thornton, Hall, Naidole, Boafo (Jagger 27), Price (Hurtley 62), Henry (captain). Subs unused: Bower, Hastings, Field.
Referee: L Watson (Barnsley)
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Danny Naidole (Brighouse Town)