Thackley travelled to Staveley for a rare Monday evening game in a busy April for both clubs. The Trojans were not in the best of form and required points to pull away from the bottom three places. Thackley were not statistically safe from the drop and too would be looking for points to ensure their Premier Division status next season. James Ngoe and the returning Jerry White were in the starting line up replacing the unavailable Lawrance Hunter and Dan Pickles; Luke Robinson was preferred to Joel Beattie up front.

Matty Leese was in action straight from the kick off, tipping Luke Robinson’s long range effort over. From the resultant kick the keeper was again called on to save from Kieran Thompson, the Dennyboys looked up for the game. Thackley were controlling things in mid field whilst the home side were happy to hoist the ball forward for their speedy forwards to chase. Mike Garrod fired over and Nicky Matthews had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for off side as Thackley pushed for the opening goal. They took the lead just after the half hour, it followed a corner on the right, the ball was knocked out by a defender and Matthews was there to volley home. The Dennyboys had the opportunity to increase their lead just before the break, when they pushed out after a Staveley corner. Robinson laid the ball into Mark Trueman’s path only for Leese to come out and make a good save. Thackley had dominated the first half but had only one goal to show for their efforts.

Half time: Staveley MW 0 Thackley 1.

Thackley had keeper Luke Wilson to thank for maintaining their lead in the opening minutes of the second period, putting his body on the line to thwart Kurtis Morley at the foot of the post. Staveley had come out for the second half with plenty of energy and Thackley were on the back foot. Morley fired into the side netting before the home side levelled the scores on the hour, Joeseph Pugh’s close range header beating Wilson. An already buoyant Staveley continued to dominate, Thackley were unable to settle on the ball. Wilson was the busier of the two keepers and it was no surprise when the home side went further in front, Tyla Bell sliding the ball inside the near post. Jordan Hines came on for Matthews before Trueman saw his long range effort go wide. James Ngoe made way for Joel Beattie as the Dennyboys tried to get something from the game. Jerry White’s timely tackle prevented Bell from getting his shot off when he got clear and Robinson picked up a late booking in what turned out to be a miserable second half for Thackley.

Full time: Staveley MW 2 Thackley 1.

It was the proverbial game of two halves, Thackley looked composed and in control in the first forty five minutes, Staveley overran them in the second. A bit of a setback for everyone but these things happen in football.

No time to dwell too long on the performance, next Saturday it is another away game, this time the relatively short journey to Hemsworth.

Staveley MW team: Leese; Hanson; Oglesby; Finlaw; Madin; C Williamson (C); Greenfield; McCreadie; Bell (A Williamson); Pugh; Morley. Subs not used: FoltynBrown; Nelthorpe.

Thackley team: Wilson; Ngoe (Beattie 83 mins); Thompson; McGuire; Rothel; White; Garrod; Whiteley (C); Robinson: Matthews (Hines 75 mins); Trueman. Sub not used: David.

Staveley MW scorers: Joseph Pugh 60 mins; Tyla Bell 68 mins.

Thackley scorer: Nicky Matthews 33 mins.

Attendance: 94.

Referee: Drew Dutton.

Photo: Thackley goal scorer Nicky Matthews.