NPL Division One East
Vill Powell says the play-offs aren’t out of reach for Brighouse Town if they can come up with a good run of form in the second half of the season.
Brighouse had a great start to the campaign but results over October and some of November have left them in a lowly position.
However, due to the closeness of the Division, the top five remains achievable.
“We went on an incredible run (in August and September) as we were unbeaten in six (in the league) and we were looking strong, Powell told Non League Yorkshire.
“But that’s how quickly football can change.
“We went unbeaten in six to not winning in eight.
“It is tight, we’re still in the middle of the pack and still looking above rather than above to see what we can do.
“We’re more than capable of going on a run provided we are firing on all cylinders and we have everyone fit.
“That would shoot you up the table.
“Look at Stocksbridge, they are a perfect example of a team who has put a string of results which has got them up to third.
“It can all change in three-or-four games and there is a long way to go.
“I think we are in a better position than we were last season in terms of results and where we can spring them from.
“The biggest thing for us is keeping everyone fit.
“We have a strong squad but you take people away from it and it affects us.
“It has in the last six to eight weeks but we have those players back.
“If we can go on a run, of course the play-offs are accessible to us.
“They’re accessible to clubs down to at least 15th.
“We have Stocksbridge on the 7th January and we have two games before then and by then there could be three or four points in it.
“That’s how tight it is.”
Brighouse had begun to turn the corner prior to the poor weather as they had beaten Consett and drawn with Lincoln United.
The timing of the break has not been great, admits Powell.
“It has been tough because we had been on a bad run of results and we got a couple of good results with a win and what was in my opinion a disappointing draw,” he said.
“You now think ‘right let’s get our teeth into it with players coming back’.
“Then the cold snap hits and takes a bit of momentum out of us.
“It is frustrating but it has been a chance to get some walking wounded back like Tom Haigh.
“It has given us to re-assess and kind of start the season again.”
Their visitors this afternoon will thinking similar thoughts.
Ossett United are locked on the same number of points and will believe in a play-offs push under their new manager Grant Black.
“You have seen the recruitment they have made in signing experience and quality,” Powell said.
“They have threats over all the pitch and a lot of height and physicality.
“They have invested in it and they’ll be looking to kick on.
“They’ll be thinking the same as us that a couple of wins and they’ll be in and amongst it again but ultimately we’ll have to try and take the game to them to try and get the points.”