Thackley’s opener for the season was against Goole, a team against which they had had a certain amount of success in the past. Thackley were without a number of players due to injury and unavailability, the side that started had just one new face, defender Dan Vinten. In goal was the evergreen Mark Bower returning to the club after a number of seasons away. Last week’s victory against Nostell should have given Thackley a certain amount of confidence but the big boost should be back playing competitive football again.

Thackley could have been two up in the first five minutes, Chris Lever was pulled back as he entered the box by a defender when through on goal but the referee waved for play to continue, then a Kieran Haigh free kick was pushed onto the underside of the bar by the Goole keeper. With virtually their first attack, the away side went in front, Liam Parker heading a cross from the left past Mark Bower. Thackley were playing some good stuff without really causing problems, whilst Goole were happy to launch the ball forward for Luke Williams to chase. The away side doubled their lead mid way through the half with a goal similar to the first, again it was Parker with his head but this time the cross came from the right. It was not quite the start that Thackley had wanted. However, they got back into the game a couple of minutes later, Haigh getting his head to Pat McGuire’s free kick to head past Mateusz Zainewski. Just after the half hour, Thackley were back on level terms. Albert Ibrahimi rounded three or four defenders as he weaved his way along the dead ball line to win a corner, from McGuire’s resultant kick, Kris Hargreaves headed back across goal and Ben Grech-Brooksbank fired home. The goals gave Thackley added impetus and they started to dominate play. Ibrahimi was causing problems with his runs and both he and Grech-Brooksbank went close to scoring.

Half time: Thackley 2 Goole 2.

Thackley had finished the first half on top and would be looking to push on in this second period. The opening fifteen minutes or so were played out in mid field, the first real chance of the half falling to Lewis Waddington, he saw his header clear the bar. However, it was that man Ibrahimi that gave Thackley the lead on the hour. A corner was only partially cleared, the ball fell to the Thackley forward who hammered it into the net from the edge of the box, it was an unstoppable strike. Owen Murphy replaced Waddington before Thackley increased their lead. This again came from a McGuire corner, Grech-Brooksbank firing home a ball that was only partially cleared. Thackley were looking good for a winning start. The arrears were reduced just a couple of minutes later, Jordan Emery heading the ball into the net from close range. With just over ten minutes remaining Goole were back level, substitute Callum McEwan getting clear and flicking the ball past the advancing Bower. Jahro Parchment came on for Lever as Thackley looked to retake the lead. The latest Thackley substitute looked as if he could do just that, outpacing Emery, he was clear on goal but the Goole defender brought him down and received his marching orders. With the away side now down to ten men, Thackley pushed forward and very nearly paid heavily for it, Bower bringing off a fine save after a Goole player had got clear.

Full time: Thackley 4 Goole 4.

A real see saw of a game, Thackley coming back from being two down after twenty three minutes to level things by half time. Going two up with less then twenty minutes to play, then letting Goole back into the game in a five minute lapse. In the end they had Mark Bower to thank for earning them a point. Great entertainment.

Next up for Thackley is the opening round of the FA Cup on Saturday, when they entertain NWC League side Wythenshawe Town at the ‘Thank You Key Workers Stadium’, it is their first ever FA Cup game so they will be well up for the win.

Thackley team: Bower; Poole; Vinten; McGuire; Haigh; Hargreaves; Waddington (Murphy 64 mins); Whiteley ©; Lever (Parchment 84 mins); Grech-Brooksbank; Ibrahimi. Subs not used: Terrelonge-Jones; Diamond.

Goole team: Zainewski; Schofield; Arnold; Spencer; Dacre; Emery; Parker; Hesselwood; Stewart; Williams; Dickinson. Subs: Wilson; McEwan; Fella; Pattinson; Pearse.

Thackley scorers: Kieran Haigh 26 mins; Ben Grech-Brooksbank 33 and 72 mins; Albert Ibrahimi 60 mins.

Goole scorers: Liam Parker 7 and 23 mins; Jordan Emery 76 mins; Callum McEwan 79 mins.

Thackley’s MOM – Albert Ibrahimi.

Referee: Josh Martin.

Attendance: 151.

Photo: Thackley's The Terrace (Saltaire) MOM Albert Ibrahimi with Club President Stewart Willingham.