BRIGHOUSE 1 CITY 3

NORTEI Nortey was nowhere to be seen, nor Myles Hippolyte or any of the eclectic roll call that had needed deciphering via Google.

The away team sheet that Derek Adams handed in at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium was City through and through.

It might have featured some of the younger end of his squad with the likes of Finn Cousin-Dawson, Kian Scales and Jorge Sikora, but they are all genuine first-team contenders.

The respect that Brighouse chairman James Howard had mentioned ahead of City’s visit was evident from the names on display. The contrast to that previous encounter with Gary Bowyer’s mystery selection in 2019 could not have been greater.

This was a run-out for the eight who had not featured against Guiseley 24 hours before. The three subs from Nethermoor – Gareth Evans, Abo Eisa and Charles Vernam - were also in from the start.

You could argue that there were more with a point to prove on the pitch this time with most of the anticipated line-up on opening day featuring in the Guiseley game.

But it was more valuable minutes in the bank through the squad as all bar Levi Sutton stayed on for the 90-minute distance.

Eisa, one of those harbouring genuine starting ambitions for August 7, lined up in the number 10 as City adopted their standard 4-2-3-1 set-up.

He had the first pop in a quiet opening with a low shot straight at Brett Souter.

But the Brighouse keeper was beaten on 20 minutes as lone striker Vernam slipped his marker, Souter just about prevented the shot crossing the line but Ollie Crankshaw was following up to win the scramble for the loose ball and claim his second goal of pre-season.

It should have been two as Eisa’s cute pass sent Vernam through but he scuffed a first-timer horribly wide.

Kian Scales then flicked on a throw-in for Crankshaw to clear the bar with a shot on the turn.

Apart from watching an early header sail well over from Harrison Beeden, Sam Hornby had been a spectator in City’s goal.

The visitors had taken full control – as was evidenced with two goals in three minutes just after the half hour.

Vernam disguised his pass cleverly to set up Evans for a confident finish past Souter from a tight angle.

That was immediately followed by another well-worked third with Kian Scales dispatching Crankshaw’s cross.

Eisa was a real thorn in Brighouse’s side with his movement and pace in the floating role and started the second half by cutting in from the left before thudding a shot into Souter’s chest that the defence hacked away before City could pounce on the rebound.

As the Bantams continued to knock on the door, Jorge Sikora should have had a rare goal. Crankshaw’s side-footed attempt was parried straight into his path but the centre half blazed over from six yards.

Eisa looked to have his goal when Scales slipped him in with a neat ball. He tried to go for placement rather than power but Souter read his mind to block with a strong left leg.

Then Finn Cousin-Dawson played the winger in from the right before he sent a left-foot curler past Souter but beyond the far post.

Reece Staunton replaced Levi Sutton during the second-half drinks break, taking over in midfield where Adams envisages him playing for now.

The pace had eased off as the game headed towards the closing stages but the chances continued to stack up from the Bantams.

Matty Foulds picked up Scales with a cross but the midfielder could not get a proper connection in the box.

Then Vernam twisted and turned to make space just outside the area but was unable to keep his effort down.

Vernam, who was having a busy night, turned provider from City’s attack as he played in Crankshaw who eluded a challenge before smacking the bar with a fierce drive.

A fourth successive win in pre-season was never in doubt against opposition from the Northern Premier League East.

But Brighouse battled away gamely – and got their reward with virtually the final kick of the night.

It was one for them to remember as well as a deep cross was recycled to the edge of the box where a substitute trialist made a name for himself with a rifled finish into the roof of Hornby’s net.

BRIGHOUSE: Souter, Tinker, Beeden, Wilkinson, Reed, Clarke, Haigh, Harrison, TJ, Kieta, Thomas.

CITY: Hornby, Cousin-Dawson, Kelleher, Sikora, Foulds, Sutton (Staunton 71), Evans, Crankshaw, Scales, Vernam, Eisa.