Wilson nets late winner for Brighouse

Super-sub Adam Wilson was the hero as Brighouse Town finally recorded a long overdue victory over manager-less old rivals Scarborough Athletic.

Wilson’s 85th minute winner secured Brighouse the controversial success at the Dual Seal Stadium, piling more misery on Scarborough in the first match of the post-Bryan Hughes and Paul Foot.

Scarborough’s woes were compounded by caretaker manager and captain Matty Bloor’s straight red card midway through the second half after his side had a goal incorrectly ruled out.

The visitors were also aggrieved over Steve Mallory’s own goal that put Brighouse in front as Ernest Boafo was stood in an offside position – a lead that was wiped out by Jamie Forrester’s wonder strike.

Brighouse’s opener set the tone for an ill-tempered second half that appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Wilson ensured everyone involved at Brighouse received the perfect belated Christmas present.

It was a victory that Brighouse have been desperately waiting for under the management of Paul Quinn.

Town last beat Scarborough three days before the appointment of Quinn in August 2011. Current assistant boss Mark Booth and development team coach Barry Thomas were in caretaker charge that day.

The two sides have since developed a rivalry – stemming from the 2012/13 Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title race which the Seadogs effectively won when the teams met in April 2013.

Over 1000 packed into the Dual Seal and it ended with then-manager Rudy Funk walking off like a biblical figure as the Seadogs fans knew they had one hand on the title.

A lot has changed since and in terms of this season, the Seadogs have just won twice in the league since the end of August – a run of form which has led to Funk’s successors Hughes and Foot’s departure.

The referee has disallowed a Boro goal for a foul on the @brighousetownfc keeper… #safclive pic.twitter.com/2bC49LugBO

— Scarborough Athletic (@safc) December 28, 2015

The large travelling support hoped for the start of an upturn in results. The signs from the first half were good.

Scarborough seemed more likely to score and Alex Metcalfe wasted their best chance after doing all the hard work by weaving past several home defenders.

Brighouse, who were also aiming to erase memories of the 5-1 defeat to Witton Albion in their last outing, upped their performance levels straight after the interval.

In today’s interpretation of the offside law, the decision to award Brighouse’s opener was correct. But, it was still controversial. Kurt Harris’ whipped cross from the left was headed back across by Tom Haigh and turned into his own net by Steve Mallory. Assistant referee Joe Knowles immediately raised his flag as striker Boafo was stood in an offside position behind the former Farsley defender. Referee Dave Storrie initially gave the indirect free kick before going over to Knowles. The pair had a discussion and as Boafo was inactive in the phase of play, the goal was given – leaving the travelling players and support incensed.

Scarborough were still angry over the decision when Metcalfe’s equaliser was ruled out 20 minutes later. His free kick from near the left-hand corner flag was dropped and turned into his own goal by Brighouse goalkeeper Paul Hagreen.

Referee Storrie thought Hagreen had been pushed and disallowed the goal. Tempers flared and Bloor saw red after stepping over the mark in a comment made to the official.

The red card did have an instant reaction as substitute Forrester launched a stunning long range effort into the bottom corner. The youngster, who also turns out for Selby Town, ran away to celebrate and even goalkeeper Patrick Weaver sprinted 60 yards to get involved in the celebration.

Brighouse, not wanting to settle for a point, threw caution to the wind and the winner came after a period of pressure.

It was a corner that was halved cleared which paved the way for the key moment. The ball dropped to Ryan Hall outside the penalty area and he sent a low drive into the box. Wilson, intercepted it on the penalty spot and with terrific composure slotted the ball with speed in the bottom corner.

Quinn and his entire bench were up celebrating and punching the air. For some of them it had been a long wait.

Brighouse Town manager Paul Quinn: “I thought it was a scrappy game and there were a few controversial moments on their part.

“We have shown great character and I don’t care if it was deserved or not because it was so important that we got a win after what was an appalling last week against Witton.

“We needed a response and I thought the way we defended at times was superb.

“Even when we conceded, we were really brave in trying to win the game. We gambled with the formation change to get the winner and it paid dividends.

“Fair credit to the lads because they were outstanding. Every single one of them ran themselves into the ground.

“We need 20 more performances like that to push us up the league.”

Scarborough Athletic caretaker player/manager Matty Bloor: “It was very disappointing, but I wasn’t disappointed with how we played.

“We did everything we asked tactically, physically, but I was very disappointed with the referee’s performance.

“I thought he cost us not just one point, but all three points. I thought we were the better side throughout – chances, possession-wise.

“Sometimes in football when you’re down there things go like that and unfortunately today was one of those days.”

Brighouse Town: Hagreen, Thornton, Harris, Hewitt (captain), Hurtley, Allison, Hall, Atkinson (Bett 57), Boafo, Haigh (Wilson 80), Baldwin (Henry 91). Subs unused: Stead, Field.
Scarborough Athletic: Weaver, Robson, Winfarrah, Davidson (Campbell 87), Peat, Mallory, Fox (Forrester 63), Bloor, Corner (Moke 72), Blott, Metcalfe. Subs unused: Holden, Lamplough.
Referee: Dave Storrie
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 384
Man of the match: Kurt Harris (Brighouse Town)