Brighouse manager Paul Quinn is keeping his feet firmly on the ground with his side two wins from claiming the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title
Brighouse Town are two wins from a historic promotion to the Evo Stik Division One North, but Paul Quinn is still only focussing on the next game.
The pendulum has swung new leaders Brighouse’s way this week after Quinn’s men won in midweek and then beat Long Eaton United 4-0 in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division yesterday.
Tyrone Gay and Tom Matthews fired Brighouse into a 2-0 lead inside the opening ten minutes and the latter and Luke Gibson rounded off a memorable away win.
With Barton losing to Albion Sports, the path to glory is opening up for Brighouse and if they beat already-relegated Lincoln Moorlands Railway on Tuesday and then 2012 winners Retford United on Saturday, the Calderdale-based side are champions.
But, Quinn is not getting carried away and speaking yesterday, he told the club’s official Audioboo account: “We knew (the trip to Long Eaton) it was going to be a tricky game, but the professionalism, commitment and desire we showed was second to none.
“Long Eaton are a good side, they’re one of the better footballing sides we have come up against this year. They kept the ball well and caused us problems at times. I thought the way we defended and weathered the pressure at times was really good.
“We’re just looking at Tuesday night now and picking up a result on Tuesday night. We obviously know that today’s a big day for the club and I’m delighted for everyone who made the journey down.
“Hopefully we can get a good performance against Lincoln and we then look forward to the Easter weekend to push on.
“The big boost (at Long Eaton) for our club was the result. Anything else is a bonus. We have just got to look at picking up maximum points on Tuesday and if we do we’re one step closer.
“We’re not counting any chickens yet because we have a lot of work to do.
“I’m just delighted for the whole club, the players and everybody. We just want to finish the job off now.
“We know if we can win on Tuesday we go into the Easter weekend with a big shout of finishing the job off.”
Tadcaster are still putting up a fight as Paul Marshall’s men crossed the 90 point barrier by winning 4-2 at Staveley Miners Welfare.
Stuart Rice, Danny Critchlow, Matthew Sparkes and Calum Ward hit the target.
A last minute goal effectively ended Barton’s title hopes against Albion Sports.
Elliott Holmes was the scorer for Albion in the dying embers.
Glasshoughton Welfare were cruelly denied a point after a magnificent comeback in the 3-2 defeat to Basford United.
Reece Chappell and Colan Leung dragged Welfare back from 2-0 down, but Basford scored in the final two minutes to snatch all three points.
Josh Greenhalgh and Sam Akeroyd secured Garforth Town a memorable 2-0 win at Worksop Parramore.
Pickering Town beat Heanor Town 3-0 – Tony Hackworth, Robert Hawkes and Lewis Taylor scored.
Mike Garrod and Chris Davey hit the target as Thackley won 2-1 at Liversedge.
Bridlington Town were staring at the prospect of an embarrassing defeat at Lincoln.
Bridlington were trailing 2-0 with ten minutes remaining until Jamie Reeson and Craig Hogg both scored twice to earn Gary Allanson’s men a 4-2 win.
Parkgate drew 2-2 with Armthorpe Welfare.
In the battle of the two in-form Division One teams, AFC Emley ended Knaresborough Town’s impressive run by recording a 2-0 win.
Michael Tunnacliffe and Reuben Jerome were on the score-sheet.
Connor Shefte hit a late winner for shock West Riding County Cup winners Eccleshill United in their 2-1 win over Rossington Main.
Shefte had earlier given his side a first half lead.
Chris Kamara (2), Kingsley Wetherald and Aaron Joseph secured Pontefract Collieries a 4-2 win over Grimsby Borough.
Selby Town lost 3-1 to Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Yorkshire Amateur drew 3-3 with Hall Road Rangers