Brighouse Town 3 Staveley MW 1

 Town stayed top of Kool Sport NCEL Division One with a decent home win over former Thackley manager Billy Fox’s Staveley.

The promotion rivals clashed at a tense Dual Seal Stadium and the first half remained frustratingly goalless, the home side creating the better of the few chances.

With mistakes in front of goal by the home side at the start of the second period, Town manager Mark Brier was beginning to feel it wasn’t going to be their day. However, they finally broke the deadlock from the penalty spot and soon ran up an unassailable lead.

A low, driven cross, from Matty Howgate was handled by a Staveley defender just five minutes after the break. The visitors’ keeper parried Wayne Crossley’s spot-kick but he lashed in the rebound.

Town went 2-0 up in the 70th minute and Howgate was again involved. His ball into the area found Lee Burgess and though the Staveley keeper saved his first attempt, he scored on the follow-up.

Brighouse substitute Danny Davidson netted the third with his second touch after coming on. Fox’s side snatched a consolation when Rob Ward netted in the last minute of the game.

Brier said: “Without getting carried away, I’m glad we are still leading the pack and I’m pleased in general because it was a good performance.

“I think the lads really wanted it and that may have had something to do with the reverse fixture. We were 3-1 up at their place with not long to go and ended up losing 4-3 with ten men after a couple of things went against us but that’s history now.”