Thackley travelled to Merseyside on Saturday for their FA Vase First Round tie against Litherland REMYCA. REMY had progressed this far by beating AFC Emley and Bacup Borough, whilst the Dennyboys had overcome Thornaby and Carlisle City to reach this stage. Thackley made just one change to the side that started against Steeton on Wednesday night, Ryan Basi returning to the centre of the defence.

The game started in quite blustery wet conditions which were unlikely to help either side. It was the home side that adjusted best, Jason McShane hitting the side netting before Kris Hargreaves headed over from a dangerous looking cross. However, it was Thackley that struck first in the eighth minute. Luke Robinson got goal side of Ryan Dobson and as he was about to enter the box was brought down by the home defender. Referee, Mr Holmes, saw him as the last man and showed him a red card; Dan Broadbent’s free kick beat the wall and Richard Cowderoy in the home goal. It was the start the Dennyboys needed. Jerry White picked up the game’s first yellow card with the crowd baying for a red as Litherland pushed forward to get back into the game. Robinson got on the end of a Luke Wilson kick; he lifted the ball over the advancing keeper but wide of the post. Thackley were not really taking advantage of their extra man and Wilson kept the scores level on the half hour, coming out and spreading himself to deny Peter Silcock who had got clear. It was Thackley that got the next goal, Cowderoy could only push away James Rothel’s shot, the ball found its way to James Ngoe via Broadbent, his deflected shot looped over the home keeper and into the net. A Thackley training ground free kick gave Robinson an opportunity to test Cowderoy before the home side scored just before the break. Declan Gregson broke down the left and crossed into the box; Silcock had timed his run perfectly to slot the ball past Wilson from close range. It could have been worse for the Dennyboys moments later, Wilson coming out to try to win a ball knocked through the defence, he missed his tackle and picked up Thackley’s second booking, fortunately defenders had got back to clear the danger.

Half time: Litherland REMYCA 1 Thackley 2.

Kieran Thompson came on for White at the start of the second half. The late first half goal had given the home side a boost and Thompson’s first task was to turn a dangerous looking cross around the post. Jordan Hendrie picked up Thackley’s third yellow card before Broadbent had his goal bound effort blocked. He was replaced a couple of minutes later by Jordan Hines as Thackley looked to make the game safe. The Dennyboys increased their lead mid way through the half. A double save from Cowderoy, firstly from Ngoe, then Robinson and the ball fell to Rothel, he was upended as he ran into the box, the resultant spot kick was dispatched by Thompson. With fifteen minutes remaining Litherland nearly got back into the game, Ashton Clements rounding Wilson but Thompson got back to clear the ball off of the line. Joe Storey came on for Robinson before Paul Whiteley’s name was added to the list of Thackley players booked. A couple of minutes later the Thackley skipper was the victim of a late tackle by Jake Connor, he had already picked up a yellow card, and thus got his marching orders. He was joined on his way back to the dressing rooms by Hendrie, his reaction to Connor’s challenge on Whiteley earning him a second yellow card. Gregson fired narrowly wide before the Dennyboys scored their fourth goal. Hines firing home after a Hargreaves cross was only partially cleared. Rothel had the chance to make it five with the last kick of the game but put the ball wide with just the keeper to beat.

Full time: Litherland REMYCA 1 Thackley 4.

On the balance of play the final score line probably flattered Thackley but playing conditions were not the best and sometimes it is more difficult to play against ten men rather than eleven. The result puts them into the second round for the first time for five years, we await Monday’s draw to know their opponents in that match.

No mid week action for Thackley, next up is a trip to play Harrogate Railway, the Dennyboys need a victory to start building up their points tally, Saturday’s result should be a confidence booster for that game.

Litherland REMYCA: Cowderoy; Connor (C); Gregson; Dobson; Crist; Cato; McShane; Clements; Silcock; Jevson (Riley); Myers (Foy). Subs not used: Walker; McDonald; Tyson.

Thackley: Wilson; Hendrie; Hargreaves; Whiteley (C); Basi; White (Thompson 45 mins); McGuire; Rothel; Robinson (Storey 75 mins); Broadbent (Hines 65 mins); Ngoe. Subs not used: Broadley; Simpson.

Litherland scorer: Peter Silcock 45 mins.

Thackley scorers: Dan Broadbent 8 mins; James Ngoe 37 mins; Kieran Thompson 68 mins (pen); Jordan Hines 90 mins.

Attendance: 78.

Referee: Richard Holmes.

Photo: (Nick Gerrard Litherland twitter) Luke Robinson going down following the challenge of Ryan Dobson resulting in the Litherland's player sending off.