Summit meeting for Brighouse Town (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Summit meeting for Brighouse Town

5:10pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Brighouse Town will be looking to hold on to top spot in the Baris Northern Counties East League Premier Division when they travel to mid-table Staveley MW on Saturday.

Paul Quinn’s side boosted their hopes of promotion to the Evo-Stik League with a 3-2 midweek victory in difficult circumstances.

They had goalkeeper Tom Taylor sent off inside the first half hour at Heanor Town and went behind from the resulting penalty.

But the ten men battled back to claim the points that saw them overtake long-term leaders Scarborough Athletic.

Town will not take their trip to 12th-placed Staveley lightly even though the home side have endured a difficult campaign which saw manager Billy Fox (former Thackley boss) quit the club.

Thackley have also been a little hit and miss lately and will be nervous ahead of this weekend’s visit of Parkgate.

The visitors travel to Dennyfield just one position below their ninth-placed hosts, who lost last time out at home to basement outfit Hall Road Rangers.

Three league defeats on the trot for Vince Brockie’s men have only been broken by a win in League Cup. Thackley are the holders and have reached the last eight as they look to defend the trophy.

Liversedge are another club who must press home advantage. They cannot be caught by 17th-placed visitors Nostell MW, even though only two positions separate the clubs.

Sedge boast a nine-point cushion over Nostell but Eric Gilchrist’s men have had too many draws recently. Five stalemates from the last seven games – and not a single victory – has seen them dip well below expectations.

Eccleshill United, who have been on a fantastic run in Division One, face a stern test at sixth-placed Pontefact Collieries.

But Bobby Davison’s men will have no fears after denting neighbours Albion Sports’ title aspirations with a 1-0 win over them last Saturday.

That victory stretched the Eagles’ unbeaten run to eight games, six of which have been wins.