Thackley’s season opener was a FA Cup (EP Round) game at Newcastle Benfield. According to the programme the Northern League side ‘had made significant changes to the playing staff over the summer, to strengthen last season’s paper thin squad’. Thackley had a number of players making their competitive debuts in Cameron Jones, Daniel Broadbent and Callum Marshall. However, the Dennyboys were missing two of their influential midfield players in Craig Bentham and Paul Whiteley, both picked up injuries in last weeks’ preseason matches. Whiteley is likely to be out for a number of weeks, whilst Bentham’s injury is less serious.

Thackley were unable to get the best preparation for the game, the team coach suffering traffic problems on the journey up to the north east and not arriving until half an hour before the scheduled kick off time. This was delayed for ten minutes to allow some warm up time for the team.

In took a little time for Thackley to settle, but it was the away side that created the first half chance of the game with eight minutes gone. Dan Broadbent heading the ball back into the path of Callum Marshall, he shot over from outside the box. They created a much better chance some three minutes later, Broadbent taking the ball past home keeper Andrew Grainger as he rushed out of his area, he hesitated slightly and a defender was able to get back to deflect his shot wide. Ryan Farrell was the next to come close soon afterwards, picking up Kris Hargreaves’ cross field pass, his rising shot just cleared the bar. Callum Marshall tested the keeper with a chip before Newcastle were awarded a penalty, Paul Brayson seemed to go down easily when challenged by Hargreaves on the edge of the box. It was the striker that took the spot kick and justice was done, Thackley stopper Matt Convey getting down well to save. Newcastle were getting more into the game and Convey saved from Brayson before on twenty seven minutes the home side took the lead. The goal came down the left; the ball was crossed before being laid back into the path of Josh Scott, his low drive beat the diving Convey. Thackley were nearly back on terms a minute later, Marshall’s long range effort hitting the bar with Grainger beaten. With ten minutes to go, skipper Pat McGuire had to leave the field to have attention to a head injury, it was whilst the Dennyboys were down to ten men that they were awarded a penalty. Aohden Brownlee’s run into the box being blocked illegally by centre half Lewis Scorgie. With nominated penalty taker McGuire still off the field, it was Broadbent that took the kick. Grainger could only parry his low drive and the ball ran back to the Thackley front man but he blasted it over the bar with the goal at his mercy. With half time approaching, Brayson saw his shot hit the foot of the post and Farrell brought a routine save from Grainger before the home side went further in front. It followed a corner, well into time added on, the ball was not cleared, Scott McCarthy netted to give Newcastle a fortunate two goal advantage.

Half time: Newcastle Benfield 2 Thackley 0.

The second half did not have the same flow about it as the first, the home side content to let Thackley have the majority of the possession. However, the Dennyboys were finding it difficult to create any meaningful chances. Liam Hudson replaced Rob Foulds before Thackley were reduced to ten men on the hour. Kris Hargreaves shown a straight red for a comment made to the referee following a corner. Thackley now found it more difficult to push forward but the lively Farrell cut in and fired narrowly over mid way through the half. With players tiring, the home side became more adventurous. Thackley made their second change Jack Morrall coming on for Marshall. The home side were now spending more time in the Thackley half but some resolute defending restricted their efforts. Elliott Scott replaced Brownlee but Thackley’s only half chance of note came when Josh Snowden pulled his shot wide following a corner.

Full time: Newcastle Benfield 2 Thackley 0.

It was just one of those days, the late arrival, giving away a sloppy first goal, a missed penalty, a goal well into time added on (not sure where the referee found the three minutes), and finally down to ten men in a rather harsh sending off. Thackley, although conceding two goals were the better team in the first half, and this was certainly a game that they could have won, but good luck to Newcastle, we wish them well in the future rounds.

Looking forward to the first League game of the season at Dennyfield on Tuesday night. Clipstone, managed by ex Thackley boss Billy Fox and probably having a sprinkling of ex Dennyboys amongst their ranks, are the opposition. Honours were shared last season, both teams winning away from home; it will no doubt be a tough encounter.

Newcastle Benfield team: Grainger; Turnbull; Dummett; NcNamee; Scorgie: Wrightson; Trodd; Baptist; Brayson (C); McCarthy; Scott. Subs: Tobin; Blackett; Walker; Uddgren; Busby; Riley; Lowes.

Thackley team: Convey; Foulds (Hudson 57 mins);Hargreaves; McGuire (C); White; Snowden; Farrell; Jones; Broadbent; Marshall (Morrall 74 mins); Brownlee (Scott 83 mins). Subs not used: McPhee; Wilson.

Newcastle Benfield scorers: Josh Scott 27 mins; Scott McCarthy 45 mins.

Referee: Mark Ryan.

Attendance: 72.

Photo: Club captain Pat McGuire.