Thackley took on their cup nemesis side, Bridlington Town, on Tuesday night in the third round of the NCEL Cup. In the four previous cup games between the two sides, the Seasiders have come out on top on every occasion, Thackley would be hoping to reverse the trend in this match. The Dennyboys made six changes to Saturday’s starting eleven due to injury and unavailability, the side showed a number of players in unfamiliar roles.

Thackley had the first attack of note, when with the game just two minutes old; George Eustance saw his shot across goal go wide at the far post. However, it was the away side that drew first blood with a crisp goal that came from a retaken throw in. The ball was lost, Joel Sutton crossed from the right and Gary Owen was at the far post to slot in. Shortly afterwards, Eustance tested James Hitchcock, cutting in from the left and shooting but the away keeper saved. Things got worse for the Dennyboys on fifteen minutes, Matt Convey dwelt too long on a back pass and was robbed by Sutton, he was left to pass the ball into the empty net. At this stage the away side were having the better of things but as the half progressed Thackley began to get back into the game. Both Nicky McNamara and Alex Knaggs picked up yellow cards for rather nasty challenges and Pat McGuire was also booked for questioning the referee. In between, Dan Clayton went close following a short corner, the game was being played out in midfield. Just before the break, Eustance got his head to a Ryan Farrell cross but Hitchcock was on hand to save, but at the end of the first forty five minutes, Thackley had not really tested the away keeper.

Half time: Thackley 0 Bridlington Town 2.

Sutton saw his shot go narrowly wide at the start of the second period before Chris Jenkinson found his name in the referee’s book for a pull back on the edge of the box, McGuire’s free kick was narrowly wide. A low drive across goal from Jordan Rouse went just outside the far post before substitute Tim Taylor became Bridlington’s fourth booking. Thackley were having the majority of possession in this half but were creating little in the way of chances, although Eustance perhaps should have tested Hitchcock after cutting inside but his shot was wide of the goal. Ben Joyce was replaced by debutant Simon Rodriguez before Jamie Forrester became the away side’s fifth player to be booked. Rob Foulds came on for Farrell, Rouse was pushed forward but the away defence looked comfortable. Clayton’s name was added to the ever growing list in the referee’s book before Thackley at last made a break through with just a minute of normal time remaining. Clayton played another hopeful ball into the box, it fell to Rodriguez and he netted in what proved to be just a consolation goal. Hitchcock became the sixth Bridlington player to get a yellow card, this one for time wasting. In the end it was the Seasiders that recorded their fifth cup win against the Dennyboys and progressed to the next round.

Full time: Thackley 1 Bridlington Town 2.

Thackley conceded early goals and never really recovered. The home side had plenty of possession in the second half but were unable to turn this into goal scoring opportunities. The game will probably be remembered for the number of bookings, two for Thackley and six for Bridlington, rather than the football on offer.

Thackley are on the road on Saturday when they travel to Armthorpe, the Wellie are finding things tough going this season and are second from bottom of the table. However, they got a point against Mansfield on Tuesday night, which is likely to give them a certain amount of confidence going into this match.

Thackley team: Convey; Rouse; Clayton; McGuire (C); Hargreaves; Bentham; Farrell (Foulds 80mins); Whiteley; Brown; Joyce (Rodriguez 66mins); Eustance. Subs not used: Scott; Wilson.

Bridlington Town team: Hitchcock; Bedford; Walters; McNamara (Taylor); Jenkinson (C); Knaggs; Hill (Adams); Fox; Sutton; Forrester; Owen (Chambers). Subs not used: Norfolk; Wain.

Thackley scorer: Simon Rodriguez 89 mins.

Bridlington Town scorers: Gary Owen 7 mins; Joel Sutton 15 mins.

Attendance: 42.

Referee: Ian Johnson.