Thackley returned to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield looking to build on the opening 2 wins from 2 fixtures to the new NCEL Premier Division campaign. Facing them were newly promoted Horbury Town, who made their first ever league visit to the Dennyboys, the only two previous meetings between the Clubs coming in the County Cup.

There was a change to the team which impressively won away at Rossington Main mid-week. Parkinson missed out with the knock which forced him from the field for that game, Alfie Gibbon taking his place in the back line. Otherwise, the starting XI was unchanged, but on the bench Whelan and new signing Charlesworth took spots.

It was a very windy day making football difficult for both sides, and the visitors made a fast start. Within 2 minutes Thackley had Liam Wilson to thank for the scores remaining level. A mix up in the middle of the park and a loose pass was seized upon by Feirn who raced through one on one, but Wilson stood big and beat the ball away.

Horbury continued to enjoy the better of the opening phases, but Thackley started to grow into the game. On 13 minutes, Morgan rose highest from a Mannings throw into the box and headed just wide on his 100th appearance for the Club. 10 minutes later, Wilson would again get down to save well at his near post to palm away a shot from Cusworth from a cut back from the left wing.

On 28 minutes, Angell for the visitors was lucky to get away with just a free kick against him, after a ball forward by Washington was misjudged by the centre back and Brooks was going to be away down the right wing / entering the box with Gorji wide open. The centre back flicked out his arm and punched the ball forward, with the linesman flagging up for the free kick, but the referee kept his cards in his pocket. The free kick would be cleared.

The last chance of the half for either side would fall to Morgan who broke free of his man at the back post from a free kick into the box. He had time to either shoot or try pass the ball back across goal. He went for the latter and the ball just evaded the onrushing Thackley red shirts and went behind for a goal kick.

HALF-TIME: Thackley AFC 0-0 Horbury Town

There was a double change at HT as Parker and Charlesworth replaced Brooks and Hindle. McClarin operated higher up the pitch and within minutes of the restart clever play saw a through ball tried to Gorji, but it just ran away from him and the ball ran through to Hargreen in the Horbury goal. Gorji was again tirelessly working for the team up front but the centre back pairing of Travis and Angell had been strong for the visitors.

On 64 minutes, both teams would have a chance within seconds of each other. Good work down the left from Walker found the overlapping Charlesworth, and he beat his man but the keeper came out quick to smother the ball. Hargreen launched the ball down field and found Asamoah, who had moved from left back to striker for the visitors, who got in behind. He tried to lob Wilson but thankfully the effort landed over the bar.

Mannings continued to cause Horbury problems with a series of long throws into the box. Owen would replace Hunt on 76 minutes and Whelan would replace Morgan who was struggling from a collision with the keeper in the first half on 83 minutes, McClarin picking up a yellow card for stopping a Horbury counter attack in between.

The final real action of the game would come just before stoppage time, as Alex Washington beat three men in the middle of the park before being upended just as he was about to pull the trigger on the edge of the box. He got up to take the free kick himself, but the effort went just over the top left corner of the goal.

FULL-TIME: Thackley AFC 0-0 Horbury Town

The new look team has taken an impressive 7 points from the opening 9 available, and have yet to concede a goal. It is a fantastic start for this new young group, but there is a lot of the season still to go and there are no doubt going to be ups and downs along the way.

For now, there is a week on the training ground before a trip to Frickley AFC on Saturday 16 August 2025 (3pm KO) as the next league fixture.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson; Hindle (Charlesworth 46'); Gibbon; Washington; Morgan (Whelan 83'); McClarin; Brooks (Parker 46’); Mannings; Gorji; Hunt (Owen 75’); Walker.
Unused Sub: Basi.

Horbury Town team: Hargreen; Hobson; Asamoah; Whittaker; Travis; Angell; Feirn; Sadiq; Jagger; Cusworth; Kyeremeh.
Subs: Nfonkey; Waite; Binks; Stephens; Smith.

Attendance: 232

Man of the Match: Alex Washington, picked by Match Sponsor Terra Firma Consulting