Thackley entertained AFC Mansfield at the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield on Tuesday hoping to continue where they had left off on Saturday after securing their first victory of the season over Harrogate Railway. Mansfield were likely to provide a much stiffer test for the Dennyboys having won their opening two competitive matches. The Bulls had done the double over Thackley last season, in fact, the Dennyboys had never scored against their opponents. The Thackley defence has been a little suspect in previous matches; they would need to be much tighter to secure any points. The only change to Saturday’s starting eleven was Aohdan Brownlee replacing Omar Kanteh.

From the start it was evident that Thackley were going to face a ‘backs to the wall’ game, for throughout the first half they found it difficult to break out of their own half. In the first twenty minutes, twice Ollie Frearon went close with firstly a shot then a header before Thackley were forced into making a change, Omar Kanteh replacing the injured Aodhan Brownlee. The Bulls continued to press but with some resolute defending and a certain amount of luck Thackley’s goal remained intact. Jimmy Gaichem had a couple of efforts, one wide the other cleared off of the line by Craig Bentham. Home keeper Luke Wilson was in constant action helping the ball over the bar and saving from Fearon. Around the half hour, Thackley created their best chances; Jamie Green saved Joe Hughes’ shot, before the Thackley striker had the ball in the net. However, the linesman signalled for a foul as he burst through but few in the ground agreed. Nicky Matthews then saw his header from a corner on the right cleared off of the line. These were isolated incidents as Mansfield continued to pressurise the home defence. Wilson and Bentham thwarted efforts before Matt Wilson was guilty of putting his header wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy. When the half ended Thackley had managed to keep the Mansfield forwards at bay.

Half time Thackley 0 AFC Mansfield 0.

The second half was a much more even affair, George Eustance brought a save from Green and Mike Garrod saw his shot go narrowly wide following a free kick that came back off of the wall. Wilson headed just wide following a Mansfield free kick before Thackley made a change, Dan Broadbent coming on for Hughes. Mansfield created other half chances Jon D’Laryea firing wide when well placed and substitute Ellis Wall’s shot was deflected for a corner but they did not look as dangerous as they had been in the first half. Broadbent and Eustance had shots which did not trouble Green and in the end neither side were able to break the deadlock. It was probably Thackley that was the happier of the two sides when the referee blew for time.

Full time: Thackley 0 AFC Mansfield 0.

Having witnessed twenty goals in Thackley’s first three games, perhaps one with no goals was on the cards but that score line took nothing away from the excitement of this match. Mansfield were in control for longish periods in the match, especially in the first half. Thackley can feel aggrieved that the goal that Hughes scored was disallowed. All in all, a good point for the home side, I suspect it will be one of the hardest points they will earn all season.

Next up for Thackley, which is again at Dennyfield, is Saturday’s rearranged game against Barton Town.

Thackley team: Wilson; Garrod; Sunderland; McGuire (C); Omolokun; Bentham; Eustance; Whiteley; Hughes (Broadbent 75 mins); Matthews; Brownlee (Kanteh 20 mins). Subs not used Marshall; Barylski; Higginson.

AFC Mansfield team: Green; Smythe; Dudley; D’Laryea; Annable; Wilson (C); Fearon (Cullingworth); Buxton; Mitchell; Gaichem (Wall); Dear (Karkach). Subs not used: Cheeseman; Plummer.

Attendance: 75.

Referee: Ian Walsh

Photo: Kesi Omolokun receiving The Terrace (Saltaire) MOM meal voucher from Secretary Mick Lodge.