Thackley travelled to Keighley Rugby League’s ground Cougar Park for this First Round West Riding County Cup tie against Steeton. The Chevrons were promoted to the First Division of the North West Counties League at the beginning of the season and had made a reasonably successful start, winning six of their eleven league matches to date. After a six match unbeaten run, Thackley had suffered defeat in their previous three games, it was obviously going to be another tight game. Jordan Hendrie and Dan Broadbent were both in need of game time so were in the starting eleven.

It was clear from the start that both sides were up for the match and in the first ten minutes or so both created chances. First James Grogan fired wide and then Jordan Hendrie saw his shot deflected for a corner before Angus Maney’s effort cleared the bar. Thackley were monopolising possession but Steeton looked the more dangerous when they pushed forward. Alfie Stevens-Neale prevented Thackley from going ahead in the seventeenth minute, somehow getting down to turn Luke Robinson’s low drive around the post. From the resultant corner Steeton broke clear, a defensive mix up allowed Andy Briggs to slot the ball past Luke Wilson. Five minutes later the home side went two in front, Briggs adjudged to have been tripped in the box, Aaron Hollindrake gave Wilson no chance from the spot. Stephen Pearson headed over following a corner but it was Thackley that were doing most of the pressing. Ngoe fired over from outside the box before Jordan Hendrie squandered the best chance of the half, hitting the bar from just four yards out after getting on the end of a Kris Hargreaves cross. The energetic Paul Whiteley tried his luck but the ball cleared the bar before the referee called time on the half.

Half time: Steeton 2 Thackley 0.

From the start of the second half it looked like Steeton had decided to hold onto what they had got and defended in numbers. With a packed defence, Thackley were finding it difficult to create an opening. Robinson fired wide before the Dennyboys made their first change, Joe Storey coming on for Dan Broadbent. Thackley were encamped in the Steeton half but were having little joy against a packed defence. Robinson had a couple of half chances but nothing to trouble Stevens-Neale in the home goal. Adam Simpson replaced James Rothel as Thackley added another striker to the cause. Robinson’s shot was wide of the mark following a free kick before Thackley brought on sixteen year old Thomas Cokewright for his debut. The Dennyboys reduced the arrears with ten minutes of normal time remaining with a goal they fully deserved. A Pat McGuire free kick was guided into the net by Ngoe. It was all Thackley, it had been for the majority of the second half, Steeton seldom venturing into the away side’s half. A Robinson header rebounded from the bar following a corner as Thackley bombarded the Steeton goal. There must have been at least ten crosses into the box in the final two minutes, one of these paid dividends. Ngoe got on the end of one, danced past a couple of defenders before getting off his shot, Stevens- Neale could not hold it and the ball fell to Robinson to hammer home. It was a fully deserved equaliser and took the game to penalties.

Full time: Steeton 2 Thackley 2.

Thackley could only convert four of their five penalties, whilst Steeton managed to net all of theirs. It is the Keighley side that will progress to the next round to meet fellow North West Counties side Barnoldswick.

Penalties: Steeton 5 Thackley 4.

Thackley dominated possession throughout this match, Steeton were much more clinical in their finishing and went into the break with a two goal lead. Most of the second half was played out in the Steeton half of the field as they packed their defence to hold onto their two goal advantage. Thackley’s determined attacking paid off with virtually the last kick of the game. It was a momentous fight back. Unfortunately they could not finish the job when the game went to penalties.

Thackley make the trip to Merseyside on Saturday to play Litherland REMYCA in the First Round of the FA Vase.

Steeton: Stevens-Neale; Mason (Carter); Scott (Lee); Morgan; Pearson; Hird (C); Jeffrey; Grogan; Briggs (Wilmore); Hollindrake; Maney. Subs not used: Clarkson; Tidswell.

Thackley: Wilson; Hendrie (Cokewright 78 mins) ; Hargreaves; Whiteley (C); Thompson; White; McGuire; Rothel (Simpson 75 mins); Robinson; Broadbent ( Storey 58 mins): Ngoe. Subs not used: Marsh; Basi.

Steeton scorers: Andrew Briggs 17 mins; Aaron Hollindrake 24 mins (pen).

Thackley scorers: James Ngoe 81 mins; Luke Robinson 90+ mins.

Attendance: 156.

Referee: Mark Powell.