Brighouse Town captain Leon Henry celebrates scoring the decisive goal in their title-winning 2-0 win over Retford United
Match and celebration photos are HERE
It was all about getting the job finished and Brighouse Town have done it, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Evo Stik Division One North football beckons for Brighouse next season after Paul Quinn’s side clinched the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title.
It was by no means pretty, but that didn’t matter. Tom Matthews and club captain Leon Henry were the goal-scorers as the West Yorkshire-based team beat Retford 2-0 at the Dual Seal Stadium.
The trophy will be presented on Easter Monday when Bridlington Town visit and Quinn, whose father Gerry ironically achieved the same feat with Emley 25-years ago this year, spoke of his pride at winning the Division.
“It’s nice to get over the line and I’m delighted for the club, delighted for everybody,” he told Sports Performer.
“Massive thanks to go everyone behind the scenes for helping make it happen. I think it is important that we have won it the way we wanted to.
“People have talked about us deserving it and I’ve never been an advocate of that because I think that you don’t deserve anything until you’re over the line.
“Today was just another game and we treated it that way. I thought for the first 15 minutes we were a bit nervous and a bit tentative.
“But, I felt once as we got into it, we controlled the game against a tough Retford side. I can’t fault anyone, I thought the defence was absolutely outstanding on a difficult surface.
“It wasn’t a spectacle, but I couldn’t care less what people think about the game today. We just wanted to get the result done.
“We’re going to enjoy tonight.”
Brighouse had to win to secure the crown this weekend. Anything less than three points then the celebrations would have to be delayed until at least Monday.
Retford have now been involved in the last three decisive days in the NCEL having won the title in 2012 and then Richard Sennett’s men were beaten by Scarborough Athletic on the day the Seadogs were crowned champions last year.
The visitors played their part and ensured that Brighouse to work extremely hard for the win. The half hour was a tense affair and Retford’s Jake Stannard gave them a brief scare with an outrageous lob from the halfway line which only just flew over the crossbar.
Tom Matthews put Brighouse ahead against Retford and sets them on their way to the Evo Stik Division One North
The opening goal was a bolt out of the blue, but it removed the nerves and Brighouse never looked back. A hopeful long ball appeared easy meat for Retford goalkeeper James Hitchcock. However, just inside his penalty area, Hitchcock backed out of claiming the ball as Brighouse’s leading ‘scorer approached.
Matthews nicked the ball and with Hitchcock stranded in no man’s land, the highly-rated forward kept his composure to set Brighouse on their way.
The door to play the likes of Farsley AFC and Ossett Town was well and truly opened.
Home goalkeeper Jacob Giles did keep his side in front with a fine save from Retford’s Rob Sanderson as half-time edged nearer, but the second half belonged to Brighouse.
Henry had gone close with a speculative long range attempt before his moment of glory on the hour.
Matthews supplied the assist and fine pass which cut the Retford defence apart. Henry latched onto the ball on the edge of the box and the speedy winger easily went round Hitchcock.
Defender Liam Gaughan did track back to narrow the angle, but Henry was able to steer the ball home and his club into their promised land.
Brighouse player gather for a huddle after winning the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title
There was even an opportunity to score a third as Matthews had a shot blocked and then Jason Price’s thunderous rebound was headed off-the-line.
Giles was unrelatively untroubled so two goals were enough and after an unnecessary four minutes of added time, Brighouse were able to celebrate their fine achievement.
Only six years ago Brighouse were a West Riding County Amateur team and now they could potentially be playing Darlington next season.
A record 100 points is the next aim, but first there was a small matter of celebrating their triumph.
So what were the manager and team’s plans?
“We’ll see where tonight takes us,” he quipped.
“There was nothing planned, but I’m sure there will be now.”
There’s bound to be a few sore heads in the morning.
Brighouse Town celebrate winning the 2013-14 Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title
Brighouse Town: Giles, Field, Fisher, Hewitt, Gay, Allison (Thornton 79), Hall (Price 56), Naidole, Boafo, Matthews (Hurtley 83), Henry. Subs unused: Bower, Gibson.
Retford United: Hitchcock, Gaughan (Medcalf 72), Severn, Fisher, Sanderson, Smith, O’Neill (Hadley 72), Stannard, Thompson, Johnson, Jones. Subs unused: Muirhead, Barford.
Referee: Anthony Moore
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 331
Man of the Match: Tom Matthews (Brighouse Town)