Thackley entertained National League side FC Halifax Town at the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield on Tuesday night looking to progress to the Third Round of the West Riding County Cup. Like Thackley, the Shaymen are not in the best of form at present and had not won since mid September, with no game next weekend, their starting line up contained quite a number of players from the squad that had lost at Tranmere on Saturday. Thackley would be hoping to put up a good show against a team playing in a league four levels higher than them. The Dennyboys were forced into making a number of changes from the team that had lost at Rainworth on Saturday.

Thackley had the perfect opening to the game, going in front after just six minutes. Mike Garrod got to Jamie Underdown’s cross just before Nathan Hotte, the Halifax defender’s late challenge brought the Thackley striker crashing to the ground, he got up and converted the spot kick. It was just the confidence booster that Thackley needed against a side that looked up for the game. Danny Clarke fired into the side netting as the away side started to press for the equaliser. It was not all one way though and Thackley were causing problems down the right, Underdown getting in a couple of telling crosses. However, Halifax levelled the scores just before the half hour, George Waring turning on the edge of the box to fire past Luke Wilson. Clarke picked up a booking for pulling Underdown back when he looked to be getting clear before Halifax scored a second. Ben Tomlinson was given too much time on the edge of the box before firing across Wilson and into the bottom corner. Good interplay between Joe Hughes and Underdown resulted in the latter getting off a shot that Tom Nicholson did well to save. Moments later, the unchallenged Kesi Omolokun got his head to a Pat McGuire corner but the ball went wide from just six yards out. Just before the break Thackley equalised with the goal of the game, Underdown got clear down the right, his cross eluded a couple of retreating defenders before Hughes launched himself to head the ball past the helpless Nicholson. It was the ideal time to score, the referee ending the first half straight after the restart.

Half time: Thackley 2 FC Halifax Town 2.

Halifax came out for the second half in determined mood and Thackley had some defending to do, although Garrod did test Nicholson with a header early on. Thackley’s defence was holding firm and the forwards creating the odd half chance, Garrod just failing to get to Underdown’s cross in front of goal. The away side regained the lead midway through the half, again it was Tomlinson and again it was from the edge of the box, a ball rifled into the net in similar fashion to his first goal. Jerry White replaced the injured Hughes and James Rothel made way for Nathan Woodward as Thackley strived for the equaliser. It was not to be and it was Halifax that came closest to scoring in the dying minutes of the game, Liam King clearing the bar when well placed. A neutral may say that Halifax deserved their victory but Thackley had played their part in an entertaining game and matched their higher ranking opponents for long periods.

Full time: Thackley 2 FC Halifax Town 3.

Thackley certainly lifted their game from some of their recent outings and were never outplayed by a team four leagues above them. Although the result was not what Thackley wanted, they can certainly be happy with the performance they put in.

It is back to league action on Saturday with, yes you’ve guessed, another home game, this one against Athersley Recreation.

Thackley team: Wilson; Ngoe; Rothel (Woodward 75 mins); McGuire (C); Omolokun; Hargreaves; Underdown; Whiteley; Hughes (White 66 mins); Garrod; Omosebi (Walshaw 85mins).

FC Halifax Town team: Nicholson; Barrows; Lynch; Garner (C); Hotte; Clarke; King; Hibbs; Waring; Tomlinson; McDonald. Subs: Atkinson; Morgan; Basic; Khan; Oliver.

Thackley scorers: Mike Garrod 6 mins(pen); Joe Hughes 45 mins.

FC Halifax Town scorers: George Waring 28 mins; Ben Tomlinson 36 and 65 mins.

Attendance: 155.

Referee: Tom Nield.

Photo: Thackley's 'The Terrace (Saltaire)' MOM Kesi Omolokun.