Evo Stik North
Brighouse Town 1-3 Ossett Town
Ossett Town striker Kai Hancock scored, but was later sent off
Ossett Town comfortably ended their six-match losing run, but the victory at Brighouse Town was marred by another red card.
Jason Yates, Kai Hancock and Issac Assenso got the goals. However, young Hancock’s late dismissal following a reckless lunge on former AFC Emley defender Iwan Heeley means he is the third name to be added to their suspension list.
Anthony Mackie and Assenso are banned for a few games, starting with Saturday’s clash with Droylsden because of their red cards in the defeat to Prescot Cables.
At least Grant Black’s men can go into that match far more confident than they were.
There must have been a far nerves prior to kick-off at Brighouse. Never since the dark days of early 2016 have Ossett had such a bad run.
With Brighouse picking up a much-needed at Skelmersdale on Saturday, Ossett probably expected a stern test against Vill Powell’s buoyant side.
In truth, Brighouse, a shade of the side they were under Paul Quinn, offered little – enabling Ossett to ease to the three points. It is clear Brighouse are very much still in the rebuilding phase.
The man who got the show underway for Ossett was the returning Yates. He headed home from close range after latching onto Emile Sinclair’s fine cross.
Brighouse briefly showed some fight as half-time approached. Saturday’s hero Gabriel Johnson did everything for the equaliser. He outmuscled his defender before through on goal and firing past Town goalkeeper Leigh Overton.
Top stopper Overton was called upon soon after to deny Johnson. That was the last bit of danger Ossett faced.
The contest was over by the hour as Ossett hit Brighouse where it hurts twice straight after half-time.
A Ossett corner was only partially cleared and impressive centre-back Assenso led the charge to retrieve the loose ball. He faced no real competition and he opened Brighouse up with a smart turn and pass down the left flank down the left to Josh Snowden. The defender crossed and Hancock scrambled the ball home from inside the six-yard-box.
Jordan Deacey’s fine in-swinging free kick helped add the third. It was met by the leap of Assenso who was helped by poor goalkeeping for his goal.
Even the early departure of ex-Athersley Rec frontman Hancock did not de-rail Ossett.
Brighouse were clearly devoid of ideas as Overton was never really threatened, despite the home side’s numerical advantage. The one chance that Brighouse had was Dan Grimshaw’s header which went wide.
Life became even easier when Johnson was shown a straight red card after a tangle with Assenso.
Ossett can be more positive after this showing. Brighouse need to get things together quickly as Goole AFC visit on Saturday hoping to close the gap on their hosts.
The Teams
Brighouse Town: Butt, Jenkinson, Annor, Griffin (Field), Grimshaw, Hall, Haigh, Heeley, Martin, Johnson, Gomersall (Normanton). Subs unused: Riley, Armstrong, Kirby.
Ossett Town: Overton, Bailey, Ridley, Yates, Assenso, Snowden, Deacey, Gregory, Sinclair, Hancock, St Juste. Subs: Ellam, Jackson, Low, Mackie, Pembleton.
Who Was In Charge
Martin Ashworth (7/10)
How Many Were There
178
Man of the Match
Jason Yates (Ossett Town)
Joy to watch: Midfielder Jason Yates was in magnificent form for Ossett Town. Picture: Mark Gledhill
A superb display from the former title-winning Hemsworth Miners Welfare captain. There were some great trademark marauding runs from a player who will be a big figure if Ossett are going to rekindle their play-offs bid.