Thackley started the 2025/2026 Macron NCEL Premier Division Season with 3 points, inflicting the first in their history opening day defeat on newly promoted Wombwell Town, thanks to a goal from Paul Walker in the 53rd minute in front of a crowd of 334 at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield.

It has been 105 days since Thackley last took the field competitively in the playoff semi final defeat to Hallam, and a lot has changed since. New Manager Jamie Price took control of his first competitive game as Manager of Thackley, and there were 10 debuts in the starting XI, with only Dec Parker who had re-joined the Club having previously worn a Thackley shirt. On the bench there was some Thackley experience with Gibbon, Morgan and Murphy all having previously played for the Club.

To say it was a new look side which will take time to gel, Thackley started the game confidently and were knocking the ball around well in the first 15 minutes, probing for an opening opportunity. It was clear that the visitors would be looking to turn the Thackley back line as quick as possible to make a transition though, but the Thackley defence and midfield were doing well mopping up any danger. On 13 Minutes, a long throw from Mannings dropped in the box and the defender just stabbed the ball wide for a Thackley corner, which came to nothing.

The game's first real incident occurred on 17 minutes, with a long kick downfield from the Wombwell keeper dropping in between the Thackley back line and goal keeper. Mannings and Wilson hesitated which allowed the Wombwell striker to get to the ball, and when Mannings tried to recover the referee adjudged he had fouled him and pointed to the spot, Mannings taking a yellow card in the process.

Kershaw stepped up to the spot, and Wilson made a fantastic save from the first effort, but was able to get back to his feet and stop the second strike from Morgan James closing in for the visitors to ensure the double save kept the scores level at 0-0.

Thackley would use this opportunity to re-group and then played some fantastic football, with Washington and Parker pulling the strings in the middle of the park. Washington narrowly headed wide from another long throw from Mannings into the box, before some fantastic striker play saw Gorji get free from his man and go one on one with the keeper. With the ball bouncing he tried the lob and the effort sadly landed just over the top of the cross bar.

Just before half time, Walker was able to get clear on the edge of the box from a corner one after some good work down the left hand side involving full back Pow, but his effort to the near post was saved by the keeper. That was the last of an eventful first half with the game still finely balanced.

HALF-TIME: Thackley AFC 0 v 0 Wombwell Town

Wombwell came out at the break and applied some early pressure in the first 5 minutes, but Thackley would re-take control again and would take the lead on 53 minutes through Paul Walker. Thackley had the Wombwell side penned in their own half, with Parker, Washington, Gorji and Walker all linking up down the right wing. The ball was crossed eventually by Gorji who found Brooks at the far side of the box. His shot looped up and over the keeper, who did well to backtrack and claw the effort out. Walker was first to reach though, and smashed home from close range to give Thackley the lead (Thackley 1 v 0 Wombwell Town - Paul Walker (53mins)).

Wombwell looked to react immediately, and had a spell of three corners in a row. The second dropped to Youel in the box, who hit a well struck effort through a crowd of players, but Wilson was again there to stick out a hand and push the ball over the cross bar with another fine save.

Thackley would continue to push forward, with Gorji making a nuisance on the Wombwell backline. On 66 minutes he won the ball from the Wombwell centre back, and played in Brooks who was about to shoot and looked to be taken down from behind but the referee waved the appeals away. On 70 minutes, the ball would fall to Brooks on the left side of the box who did get a powerful left footed effort away but it went narrowly wide of the left hand post.

At the other end, Mannings and Basi continued to clear plenty of headers from long balls forward, and Pow and Hindle were working tirelessly in the full back positions. On 74 minutes, Tabish Hussain would make his Thackley debut replacing Brooks.

The final 15 minutes saw Wombwell pushing bodies forward, with Ollie Fearon moving from a centre back role to centre forward, and it was not long until he had an effort as Wombwell pinched possession on the right wing and the cross came in for Fearon to hit a sweeping effort but Wilson was again there to save. Lewis Morgan then replaced Tom Parkinson who also had done well down the right wing, and he was straight into the action winning some big headers in the centre of the park.

The referee showed 6 minutes of added time, and in the final minute of added time Wombwell won a corner where the keeper came up. It was Malkowski who rose highest but his header was blocked, and Thackley countered through Gorji and Hussain, a defender just clearing to stop the latter having an open net to shoot at from half way.

That would be the final action as the referee blew the final whistle on the game which saw Thackley take the 3 points.

FULL-TIME: Thackley AFC 1 v 0 Wombwell Town

The crowd of 334 rightly applauded the new look Thackley team off the pitch for a performance which showed skill, control and quality but also grit and fight. Whilst it is only game week 1 with a long season ahead, given the immense change at the Club this off season and an entirely new team which will take time to gel, the performance was very encouraging and it was nice to take the 3 points at the first opportunity. Congratulations go to Jamie Price, his coaching staff and the entire team and playing squad.

There will now be a short break from the league as the next time we are in action is next weekend in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, as we travel to Irlam FC. The official coach travel will depart Dennyfield at 11.30am for those who have booked on.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson; Hindle; Pow; Washington; Basi; Parker; Parkinson (Morgan 88mins); Mannings©; Gorji; Brooks (Hussain 74mins); Walker.
Unused Subs: Gibbon; Murphy; Owen.

Wombwell Town team: Malkowski; Paling; Wilson; James; Dando©; Fearon; Curran; Youel; Peterson; Kershaw (Guest 67mins); Stewart (Brooks 67mins).
Unused Subs: Grayson.

Thackley AFC scorers: Walker (53mins)

Wombwell Town scorers: None

Man of the Match: Liam Wilson, picked by Match Sponsor Terra Firma Consulting

Attendance: 334