After last week’s comprehensive victory at Knaresborough, Thackley were likely to be full of confidence for the visit of Hemsworth Miners Welfare to the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield on Saturday. The Wells had won their last four games and they would be hoping to continue that run to keep them in the promotion race. Jerry White (suspended), Kieran Thompson and Nicky Matthews along with manager Pat McGuire were unavailable, which gave a first start of the season for Matty Hall and youngster Darwin King his first taste of first team football.

It was Thackley that were first to create a chance, Alex Marsh finding Jack Normanton but he put the ball wide from the edge of the box. Luke Wilson rushed off his line to deny Nash Connolly as he broke clear before Dan Broadbent’s shot was blocked by Jordan Greaves. Fifteen minutes in and Wilson again was off his line to deflect the ball wide and again it was Connolly with the shot. It had been an even half hour or so, neither side dominating possession, there was plenty of endeavour from both sets of players without either side really threatening goal. The bumpy surface was not helping and passes were going astray and the odd bobble causing players to miscue. Both defences were on top and Ryan Basi was winning everything in the air for the Dennyboys. Good work from Bradley Dockerty gave Adam Knight the chance of a shot but he fired over. Thackley had a great chance to go in front just before the break, Kris Hargreaves putting Adam Muller in the clear down the left but his shot across goal went narrowly wide.

Half time: Thackley 0 Hemsworth Miners Welfare 0.

Wilson got down to save from Connolly at the opening of the second half before Braodbent fired over. Normanton was man handled to the ground in the box but the referee allowed play to continue, moments later the Thackley striker tested Greaves. Basi heads of off the line following a corner before Steve Jeff saw his header clear the bar. Again both teams were giving it their all but creating very little. Broadbent saw his shot deflected for a corner and Wilson saved easily from Declan Parker, there was nothing between the two teams. Broadbent and Normanton made way for Luke Robinson and Asa Mitchell as Thackley looked to make the break through. However, it was the away side that went in front by way of a controversial penalty. Basi was penalised for allegedly holding in the box following a corner, the referee, having let similar incidents at both ends go, decided that an offence had been committed. Justice was almost done, Wilson getting down to save Sam Jones’ spot kick, he could not hold on to the ball and the Hemsworth substitute followed up to score. Andy Boote came on to make his Thackley debut replacing James Rothel. Thackley pushed forward for the equaliser, Hemsworth ran down time at every opportunity and so it finished, a very disappointing defeat. A rather dubious penalty the difference between the two sides.

Full time: Thackley 0 Hemsworth Miners Welfare 1.

It was not the best footballing game in the world but a hard fought encounter between the two sides. Mr Howlett’s decision to award a penalty to the away side with just over ten minutes to go the difference. By his own admission he had let similar incidents in the game go, why he felt that this one deserved to be penalised only he knows.

The short trip to Throstle Nest on Wednesday night for the Dennyboys, statistically this season Thackley do better away from home, so they will be looking to avenge Albion’s victory in the reverse fixture.

Thackley team: Wilson; Marsh; Hunter; Whiteley (C); Basi; Hargreaves; Hall; Broadbent (Robinson 66 mins); Muller; Normanton (Mitchell 77 mins); Rothel (Boote 83 mins). Subs not used: Sibanda; King.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare team: Greaves; Wilson; Jeff; Parker; Viggars; Cass; Connolly (C)(Santos); Yates; Ripley; Knight (Jones); Dockerty (Higgins). Subs not used: Danville; Leach.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare scorer: Sam Jones 78 (pen) mins.

Attendance: 130.

Referee: Neil Howlett.

Photo: Ryan Basi the Terrace (Saltaire) MOM being presented with a meal voucher by Thackley Secretary Mick Lodge.