After Tuesday’s really promising performance against FCUM, Thackley went into their fourth friendly of the season looking to record another victory against Campion. This was the Division One side’s second game, they had previously beaten Beeston St Anthony’s 6-4. Managers Lee Ashforth and James Bicknell were playing things very close to their chests with no team sheet available. Thackley had virtually their full squad available and again Manager Pat McGuire made numerous changes to Tuesday’s starting eleven.

The opening half of the game saw very few real chances created, Thackley lacking the fluidity and energy shown in Tuesday’s game. Manager Pat McGuire, who had started for his first game in some time, lasted just twenty minutes before limping off to be replaced by youngster Morgan Butcher. Campion showed plenty of aggression, perhaps some may say too much for a friendly, and referee Darius Bradley went close to taking action on a couple of occasions. Thackley broke the deadlock just before the break, Lewis Waddington latching onto a ball deflected upward into the box, the away keeper came but was beaten by the spin and the Thackley forward slotted into the empty net.

Half time: Thackley 1 Campion 0.

Thackley made a number of changes at the start of the second half and found themselves behind before they had settled, Campion scoring twice in the first five minutes. Like the first half there was little between the sides, both trying to adjust to the constant changes which continued throughout the half. Kieran Haigh was unlucky with a free kick which came back off of the post, but even more so, when he headed the ball past Luke Wilson to put the away side two in front. Again, all squad players were given some game time, it was another good work out for the whole team.

Full time: Thackley 1 Campion 3.

Thackley team: Wilson; Marsh; Hunter; Whiteley ©; Hargreaves; Basi; Waddington; Jones; Mitchell; McGuire; Normanton. Other squad members: Haigh; Butcher; Scaroni; Grech-Brooksbank; Murphy; Rothel; Sibanda; Muller; Rhodes; Matthews; Holroyd.

Thackley score: Lewis Waddington 41 mins.

Campion scorers: Unknown 48 and 50 mins; Keiran Haigh (og) 75 mins.

Referee: Darius Bradley.

Photo: (from Telegraph and Argus) Physio Joe Tate having his temperature checked as part of the Covid precautions.