Thackley entertained Northern League side West Auckland Town in the Second Round of the FA Vase on Saturday. West Auckland are renowned for their cup exploits, they boast being the first ever winners of ‘The World Cup’ in 1909, they won it again two years later, and have twice got to the FA Vase final. This was Thackley’s last chance to win a cup competition this season having exited the League Cup on Wednesday night at Maltby. The defence had a much different look to it than in mid week, only James Rothel remaining of the four defenders which had started that game. For the first time this season Kris Hargreaves and Jerry White were at the centre of the Thackley defence.

As far as chances were concerned, there were very few created in a first half that was not dull from an entertainment point of view. I can only recall a couple throughout the first forty five minutes as the majority of play was confined to the mid field area. Thackley were playing with quite a strong wind and many balls were over hit making it difficult for the forwards to time their runs. The West Auckland forwards, playing against the wind, had difficulty timing their runs and were getting caught offside by a Thackley defence that was holding its line well. The first chance came on the half hour, Luke Robinson turning before testing Shane Bland in the away goal. The second was just before the break when Nathan Fisher got clear but he put his shot across goal wide. Both sides picked up what looked like soft bookings, Jerry White for Thackley, Denver Morris for the visitors.

Half time: Thackley 0 West Auckland Town 0.

Thackley came under pressure at the start of the second period and West Auckland won a series of corners which were defended well. Luke Wilson saving from Jamie Cobain, Fisher’s shot across goal again going wide and Adam Mitchell firing over. Thackley’s defence were coping well, White and Kris Hargreaves getting in timely tackles and Jordan Hines coming back for corners to head clear. Thackley made the first change, James Ngoe coming on for Adam Simpson. Hargreaves got back to lift a cross over the bar from just a couple of yards out before Bland was forced into making the first real save of the game. Ray Sibanda’s shot from twenty five yards looked to be heading for the top corner but the away keeper got a hand to the ball to push it behind. Joe Storey replaced Hines before the Dennyboys were awarded a penalty. As Robinson raced into the box Ross Colquhoun appeared to pull him back, the Thackley striker was given the chance to put the home side ahead but Bland got down well to save his spot kick. Four minutes later West Auckland got the goal that would take then through to the next round. Wilson got up well to punch away a corner kick; the ball fell to substitute Adam Burnicle wide on the left, his low drive passed through a crowded defence and into the net. Thackley’s tempo increased and Ngoe fired wide after going on one of his mazy runs. Marsh came on for Sibanda as Thackley desperately strived for the equaliser but unfortunately to no avail. There was a late booking for Hargreaves along with a couple of West Auckland players for a bit of fun and games following a corner before the referee blew for the final time.

Full time: Thackley 0 West Auckland Town 1.

In a game of very few chances, Thackley missed their opportunity to go in front whilst West Auckland took full advantage of theirs. Overall, it was a pretty even game, both sides cancelling each other out. Although another defeat, it showed in this game that, given a bit of luck, Thackley will soon start adding to their league points tally.

They have the chance to do that on Tuesday night when Maltby Main are the visitors to the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield.

Thackley team: Wilson; Hendrie; Rothel; Whiteley (C); Hargreaves; White; McGuire; Hines (Storey 70 mins); Robinson; Simpson (Ngoe 60 mins); Sibanda (Marsh 85 mins). Subs not used: Thompson; Basi.

West Auckland Town team: Bland; Morris; Cobain; Colquhoun; Price; Hegarty (Burnicle); Snaith; Portas; Fisher (C); Purewal; Mitchell. Subs not used: Dodds; Coulson; Connor; McKeown.

West Auckland Town scorer: Adam Burnicle 81 mins.

Attendance: 148.

Referee: Ben Tomlinson.

Photo: The Terrace (Saltaire) MOM Jordan Hendrie receiving his meal voucher from Chairman Ben Oliver.