Thackley AFC bow out of the FA Vase at the first stage following a loss in a four goal thriller.
A changed Thackley team looked the better of the two sides throughout the game playing the more confident and more expansive football, they however, fell victim to three counter attack goals from the visitors. Manager Danny Forrest made two changes from the side that beat Golcar in the FA Cup, Matt Dempsey and Joe Mitchell were unavailable and replaced by new signings Luke Rhodes and Will Morrissey respectively.

Colne got the game underway and immediately came down the left through Yussuf, he cut inside onto his left foot and looked to bend the ball towards the far post. Wilson saved well but could only parry the ball as far as Mulvey who turned it home from six yards out. Thackley immediately bounced back, Ahmed spotted Brennard off of his line, the keeper seemed to misjudge his shot from 25 yards and could only watch the ball bounce in to the back of the net.
Goals! Keaton Mulvey (2’) : Tawheed Ahmed (3’) - Thackley 1 Colne 1.
A quite period followed, before Parsons, on 18 minutes, drove through the middle of the park, his shot from 18 yards was blocked and easily saved by the keeper. Mulvey was sent to the sin bin on 21 minutes, however, it did little to change the game, as the next chance came on 26 minutes. Gardner’s cross being blocked as he broke down the left. On 39 minutes, Grech-Brooksbank brought Gardner’s cross down well on the edge of the six-yard box, the Thackley captain could not quite get his shot on the turn on target. Preece restored the lead for Colne just before the break. De Abrea cleverly brought the ball down inside the penalty area, the ball broke kindly for Preece who finished low into the bottom right corner.
Goal! Colne – Kyle Preece (41’) Thackley 1 Colne 2.
Thackley went in at the break a goal down slightly against the run of play, however, there was still time for a harsh booking for Grech-Brooksbank as he tried to pull out of a tackle but still caught Brennand when chasing a loose ball.

Half-time: Thackley 1 Colne 2.

Thackley looked the better and more confident team in the first half but found themselves behind. Little changed going into the second half, there were still few chances. Colne flashed a corner across the six-yard box and it bounced out for a goal kick. Thackley hit the post, Donovan worked the ball well and looked to bend the ball in at the far post but could only find the woodwork. A minute later, on 63 minutes, Parsons picked the ball up on the edge of the area following a cut back, his left foot shot was saved easily, a minute later, Ahmed cut inside from the right and dragged his shot wide of the near post.
Manager Danny Forrest then made a double change just after the hour mark, in an attempt to swing the game in Thackley’s favour. Bradshaw replaced Morrissey and Hunt replaced Gardner, which brought a slight change in shape. Thackley continued to dominate, Ahmed working the ball down the right again before squaring to Grech-Brooksbank, which left him one-on-one, but the pass was marginally behind him and the shot was blocked. Grech-Brooksbank had another chance on 69 minutes, Ahmed won a free kick on the right, Grech-Brooksbank could only glance his header onto the post from Sugden’s cross. On 73 minutes Bradshaw headed over from six-yards out after Donovan crossed from the left. Colne doubled their lead on 74 minutes. It came from a corner, Wilson seemed to be obstructed in the air as two Colne players fell in front of him, the ball bounced loose and Ali converted from inside the six-yard box.
Goal! Colne – Shakil Ali (74’) Thackley 1 Colne 3
Thackley continued to push until the final whistle making three more changes. Tektas replaced Ahmed, Prata and McNally replacing Grech-Brooksbank and Donovan. Despite this, Thackley could not quite create any more clear-cut goal scoring opportunities. Although looking the better team throughout, they fell victim to a perfectly executed Colne game plan.
Everyone at Thackley would like to wish Colne good luck in the next round against Knaresborough Town and for the rest of the competition.

Full time: Thackley 1 Colne 3.

Thackley team: Wilson (GK), Everingham; Gardner (Hunt 67’); Sugden; Hudson; Rhodes; Donovan (Prata 89’); Morrissey (Bradshaw 64’); Grech-Brooksbank (C) (McNally 89’); Parsons; Ahmed (Tektas 84’).

Thackley scorer: Tawheed Ahmed 3 mins.

Colne team: Brennand (GK); Moran (C); Ali; Burey; Bradbury-Allen; Whalley; Yusuff; Barker (Ormerod 75’); Preece; Mulvey (Green 68’); De Abrea (Butt 88’). Unused subs: Whalley; Lazaro

Colne scorers: Keaton Mulvey 2 mins; Kyle Preece 41 mins; Shakil Ali 74 mins.

Attendance: 153

Referee: Matthew Coles.