Pollard’s chance to shine

After three friendlies in eight days, Brighouse manager Paul Quinn gave his players a light training session on Tuesday.

“We opted to give them a lighter week, and tonight’s session will be more structured to working with the ball once they have warmed up,” enlightened Quinn.

“We were very pleased with the lads’ performance against Guiseley, controlling the game for large parts of it.

“It was only towards the end when maybe fatigue played a part and mistakes crept in that we let them in to get two goals and ultimately win the game.”

Town had gone into that game without holiday-makers James Hurtley and Kurt Harris and Adam Wilson was out with a leg injury while Danny Facey was still not well enough to play.

They did have the services of midfielder Jimmy Pollard, who was on Huddersfield Town’s books, and Quinn was highly delighted with his showing.

“We had a good chat with Jimmy on Tuesday night and feel he will join us to show what he can do. He is technically very good and was finding his team-mates with some good balls.

“Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward and he showed what he is capable of and, no doubt, will be relishing the chance to play against Frankie Bunn’s team on Tuesday.

“We feel he will be an excellent acquisition and hope he has some good news for us tonight.

“The squad is shaping up nicely and great optimism exists for an exciting season ahead.

“Its the height of the holiday season now the school holidays have kicked in and we will not be able to pick from full strength until the week ahead of the first game.”

Town’s fixtures have been released and they begin their second Evo-Stik League Division One North campaign at promoted Trafford.

That is followed on the Monday night with a home derby game against Ossett Town and then on the Saturday at home to Harrogate Railway Athletic.

They have a tough August Bank Holiday fixture away to Scarborough Athletic, which will be played at Bridlington Town’s ground but presents a problem with travel with it being a holiday weekend.

Brighouse’s festive fixtures this season sees them visit Ossett Albion on Boxing Day and then host Scarborough on December 28 before travelling on January 2 to The Giant Axe to take on Lancaster City.

Following the game with the Terriers development players and some first-team squad members, Brighouse have a home friendly with Ashton on Saturday, August 1 (2.00).

They are then at AFC Emley on Tuesday, August 4 (7.45) and, on Saturday, August 8 they are training at Loughborough College in the morning and playing old NCEL Premier Division foes Basford in the afternoon.

The club is opening the team coach to supporters who would like to make a day of it as part of a bonding excercise.