Two out of two for Evo Stik new-boys Brighouse Town after victory at Ossett Albion

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Words by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
Brighouse Town’s dream start to life in the Evo Stik Division One North continued with a 2-1 win at Ossett Albion last night.
Just like their opening day victory over Radcliffe Borough, Brighouse held onto a narrow lead at Dimple Wells after Kurtis Noble’s goal had given Albion hope.
Noble struck minutes after Brighouse’s new signing Shaquille Clarke-Adams had doubled the visitors’ lead early on in the second half.
Dangerous striker Ernest Boafo gave Brighouse the lead during a first half which had seen the home side have the better chances.
Brighouse manager Paul Quinn told Non League Yorkshire: “I think in the first half we were well below par, but that’s a fantastic sign when you can be 1-0 up at half-time having not played well.
“I said to the lads at half-time that we have to get our mindset right that away from home on a Tuesday night it is going to be tough for us.
“We’re still learning the league and we learnt an awful lot tonight. We had six key players missing from the squad.
“Those are the type of performances that galvanise teams when you’re up against.
“I thought our best patch was the first 20 minutes of the second half and we had the opportunity to kill the game really off and we should have done.
“Fair play to Ossett. They’re a much-improved side, but we’re just pleased to pick up the three points.”

The most notable absentee was key striker Tom Matthews, who wasn’t risked.
This gave Clarke-Adams his chance to shine in what was still a dangerous front four.
Instead of attacking though, Brighouse spent the majority of the opening exchanges defending.
Noble had the best chance with a low strike which flew wide.
But, the sign of a good team can be the ability to score when not playing well and that’s what the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division champions did.
Joe Jagger’s pass found former Nostell striker Boafo. The forward turned and hit a low shot from the edge of the penalty through the defender’s legs and past an unsighted Adam Rhodes.

Ossett’s Dale Kelly then wasted their best first half opportunity by blasting his shot wide from an excellent angle.
Kelly would rue the missed chance when Brighouse came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half.
Boafo’s strong tackle 25 yards from the Ossett goal caused the ball run loose.
Clarke-Adams, who played for Ossett Town last season, picked up possession and the Albion defence failed to deal with him which enabled him to coolly slide the ball home.
To their credit, Ossett fought back. Kelly’s strike from inside the penalty area was parried and Noble finished off the rebound with a well-taken low shot to provide an escape route.
For five minutes Brighouse were rocking as defender Wes Milnes then headed against their crossbar.
Brighouse weathered the storm and Boafo almost scored a decisive third goal when his long range pile-driver came back off the woodwork.
Quinn closed his ranks to see out the game and they did successfully. There was some nervous defending at times, but Ossett failed to put them under excessive pressure.
Even at the end, substitute Craig Thompson was inches away from scoring for Brighouse, who made it six out of six after two games ahead of a busy Bank Holiday Monday.
Ossett Albion: Rhodes, Lucas, Hardaker, Owen, Milnes, Nelson, Bartle (Muller 65), Jones, Kelly (Oniama 81), Noble, Richardson (Brown 75). Subs unused: Nicholson, Thompson.
Brighouse Town: Giles, Field, Henry (captain), Wilson, Hurtley, Thornton, Hall (Baldwin 81), Nadiole, Boafo, Jagger (Thompson 67), Clarke-Adams. Subs unused: Bower, Lyn, Quinn.
Referee: G Rhodes
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 166
Man of the match: Shaquille Clarke-Adams (Brighouse Town)