Brighouse Town 5, Lincoln Moorlands Railway 0

A Luke Gibson hat-trick helped Brighouse snap out of their recent inactive period to earn a handsome home win over struggling Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the Baris Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

The game beat the weather but the conditions meant it was heavy going and not the greatest spectacle, with nothing remotely like flowing football.

But it was Town’s first league game of December and they intended to make the most of it.

Former Park Avenue and Farsley winger Gibson ensured they got off to a fine start when he volleyed in the first of his treble in the 17th minute as the home side began well.

They doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark when Shane Hamilton stabbed home following a cross from open play.

The visitors came out all guns blazing after the interval and Town keeper Ben Imeson was forced into a very good save in the first minute of the second half.

But just two minutes later the hosts were 3-0 up as Gibson rifled in his second after a solo run.

Ten-minute intervals passed between Town’s next two goals as they continued to keep their visitors at more than arm’s length.

Tom Matthews netted the fourth with a neat shot on the turn, before Gibson was credited with the fifth when his free-kick took a heavy deflection on its way in.

Town spokesman Ray McLoughlin said: “To be honest, it was a funny game as we played well without ever getting into full stride.

“I think that was down to a combination of factors – the conditions were difficult, the opposition were a battling side and we were ring rusty.

“Lincoln never gave up and made life hard for our players but we definitely deserved the win on balance of the whole game.

“It was nice to get the win from our point of view and an added bonus that we kept a clean sheet.

“With two big derby games coming up for us – Liversedge on Boxing Day and then Thackley for the New Year game – it was important for us to get the confidence boost a win brings.”