INTRODUCTION

Thackley AFC continued pre-season preparation as they travelled to Marley Stadium to take on Steeton AFC as the light faded in Keighley.

Joint Managers Danny Forrest & Tom Greaves used the opportunity to rotate the team and squad from the game at the weekend against Bury FC, and took a large squad of 24 players including trialists to face the Chevrons.

In front of a healthy crowd the changed Dennyboys had plenty of possession during the full 90 mins and chances to score, but fell to a 4-1 defeat following some defensive errors in either half. The game was a worthwhile run out as the Joint Management team also were able to experiment with different formations, with a view to building towards the first game of the season on 29 July 2023 against Tadcaster Albion.

FIRST HALF

A quiet start to the first half saw both teams passing the ball around the well as Thackley AFC looked confident in possession and created some good patterns to get the ball forward. The first chance came after 7 minutes when Greaves applied pressure to the Steeton AFC backline and won a corner as Steeton AFC scrambled back. The delivery by Chippendale looked to be met by Dempsey at the back post, but it just evaded him.

The best chance of a quiet first 20 minutes chances wise came when Arale Mohammed was played in down the left with a long ball from the hosts defense. Mohammed drove into the penalty and his square shot from a tight angle looked goal-bound until the Thackley AFC centre-back partnership recovered brilliantly and cleared allowing Thackley AFC to build from midfield.

Thackley AFC once again fashioned a chance well after a strong spell of possession when Chippendale made a diagonal run from deep across the penalty area. He was found on the left 18 yards from goal with a lofted through pass from the left corner of the penalty area. He took one touch and drilled the ball towards the penalty spot but this was just behind Greaves and there was nobody present to latch onto the end of the low cross for a tap in.

Steeton AFC almost took the lead in comical fashion as an attempted clearance was blocked by a Steeton AFC forward in the 25th minute but the ball looped high and landed harmlessly behind the goal.

However, 3 minutes later Steeton AFC did take the lead from a low corner, which appeared at first glance to have been handled by the Steeton attacker. The Steeton AFC man then finished into the near top corner at the second attempt. (1-0 - 28mins)

Chippendale then came close with an audacious attempt with 10 minutes left of the half. When he brilliantly controlled a high clearance with his chest before he turned on the bouncing ball; and struck it on the volley from 25 yards out hitting the stanchion as it travelled past the near right post.

Steeton AFC doubled their lead in the closing minutes of the half when a Thackley AFC trialist had done well to bring the ball out of the back line, but subsequently lost the ball in midfield. Townsend broke forward before he played the ball square to Arale Mohammed who finished high into the net with a good finish. (2-0 - 42mins)

Tom Greaves showed his class in the final minute of the half when he received the ball on the left of the edge of the penalty area. He moved his body well and fashioned a shooting opportunity on his right foot, which he drilled into the top right corner of the goal like an arrow. It was a typical Greaves finish and allowed the Dennyboys a way back into the game. (2-1 - 44mins)

HALF TIME

An eventful end to a quiet first half that was finely poised in which Thackley AFC had more of the ball and looked comfortable when passing the ball around. Once again, as is the case in pre-season, half time brought a wholesale of changes and an almost completely different XI.

SECOND HALF

Steeton AFC got the second half started as the sun started to set and night started to fall.

A second half of limited action unfolded as the first the action came in the 65th minute courtesy of 2 strong but fair tackles from George Green, making his first appearance of the season, were soon followed by the midfielder accidently clashing with a Steeton AFC player as they chased the ball out for a throw-in. The Steeton AFC 16 stood rose from his feet and the players came together, before the ref stepped in to diffuse the situation.

Thackley had the chance to equalise after good wing play by a Thackley AFC trialist, who had been impressive since entering the field of play at half time, once again beat his man and put in a perfect cross to the back post. Unfortunately, Donovan could not direct his header goalwards from 6 yards out and the effort went over the bar.

This would prove to be costly, as Steeton AFC scored 2 late goals in the final 15 minutes. A break from the hosts down the right win saw the ball bounce fortuitously into the path of Ellington who back healed to the corner of the penalty area where it was squared into the path of Luke Baldwin. Green came close to an interception but Baldwin finished well. Although Thackley AFC had looked comfortable in possession in the second half, and restricted Steeton AFC to very few chances, it was the Chevrons who extended their lead again. (3-1 - 70mins)

The final action of the game saw Steeton find the back of the net for the final time as the ball came in low from the right-hand side and Jordan Kong controlled the ball on the penalty spot before picking his spot in the bottom left corner beyond the dive of Alfie Darke who was making his first appearance in a Thackley AFC shirt and of pre-season. (4-1 - 88mins)

FULL TIME - Steeton AFC 4-1 Thackley AFC.

There were plenty of positives gained from more pre-season friendly action, with the Thackley AFC management team able to experiment with both personnel and formations in a 90 minute setting. No doubt as the new season approaches the large squad will be trimmed down and a more settled pattern of play will emerge. The key date to be ready for is 29 July 2023.

Everyone at Thackley AFC would like wish Steeton AFC good luck for the rest of the season.

Next game:

Bradford (Park Avenue) (A)
Horsfall Stadium, BD6 2NG
Saturday 8th July, 1pm kick off.