Brighouse shows signs of improvement in C-grade derby

The C-grade Barnstoneworth derby under the lights on Friday night had a bigger margin than the draws in other grades.

Against a Brighouse side that improves every week, Denley started the better when a shot from midfielder Dan Hillier copped a solid deflection to open the scoring.

Two goals from winger Harley Smith made it 3-0 by half-time. Brighouse kept up the pressure and cracker of a free kick by Matt Barr was only kept out by the wall. Brighouse attackers kept stand-in keeper Dan Rumbold busy.

Denley Midfielder Nick Hyndes set a pin-ball shot bouncing off a series of legs before finding the net.

Shephard Shambira made it two goals in two weeks when a chip from the back-line found its way over the keepers head. Brighouse striker Andrew Pansini brought the drought late the match to bring up the 5-1 score-line.

Also in C-Grade, a hat-trick from Barnstoneworth United striker Glenn Harpley was the highlight of the side’s 4-0 win over Millthorpe Tigers.

The scoring spree started began in a penalty kick of a Tigers’ hand ball. When Denis Tyrie’s shot bounced off the post, Harpley was on-hand to clean-up for his second. The third came rom a well-placed header.

A red-card added to the defensive weight on the Tigers side, and a late save from Barnies keeper Andy McGuire, after the ball had cleared the wall, kept the clean-sheet intact.

Barnies forward Andy Holmes made the most of a long through-ball to bring up the 4-0 final score.