Thackley would fall to the first league defeat of the 2025/2026 season away at Westfield Lane, as Luis Afonso-Ferraira's 70th minute wonder strike after being introduced from the bench for Frickley Athletic would see the home side take all 3 points.

There were three changes for Thackley as Basi, Parker and Charlesworth all started the game, with Hindle and Brooks dropping to the bench and Morgan missing out altogether with a knock.

The home side as you would expect made a quick start with Wilson called into action in the first few minutes. On 6 minutes, Thackley would have a good opening as good play on the right from Hunt set McClarin away. He flashed a cross through the box which Walker left, but Gorji just could not reach it for a tap in. He won the ball back, and got two strikes away which were blocked and cleared. Alex Charlesworth was in support though, beat his man and got a near post shot away which Sykes in the home goal got down well to save for a corner.

On 9 minutes McClarin did well to find some space and get a cross in, but Sykes claimed comfortably above Gorji's head. On 15 minutes, Washington would drive forward through the middle, and instead of taking the opportunity to shoot he tried to set Gorji through. Gorji collected the pass but his shot would be saved.

Frickley though were posing a threat at the other end with the front three of Nnenanya, Robinson and Alngohuro causing some problems, including with the pace of Nnenanya through the middle. Nnenanya and Gorji would each be shown a yellow card after a coming together of the players as tempers momentarily boiled over.

On 23 minutes, Alngohuro had a free kick 25 yards out on the edge of the area which was comfortably saved by Wilson. The half would end with both team in reality cancelling out each other out, the best moment for Thackley coming from a break on the stroke of half time with Washington again driving through the middle. It opened up for a shot, but he chose to again try slide in Gorji but his pass was intercepted.

At the break it was finely balanced and the scores level.

HALF-TIME: Frickley Athletic 0-0 Thackley AFC

The home side would again start the second half quickly with Wilson having to make two stops in quick succession. One chance saw Robinson look to have an opening, but thankfully for Thackley his effort went high over the bar. On 57 minutes, it was Wilson again who had to make a smart save for Thackley to keep the scores level, whereas at the other end some "industrious" tackles were not resulting in Thackley free kicks which the away supporters felt were deserved.

On 64 minutes, Thackley would have their biggest chance of all afternoon, when Gorji and Hunt unsettled the Frickley back line and both were through on goal. Hunt took control and advanced, but he was starting from the half way line. As he entered the box and looked to get his shot away, the Frickley defender made a good recovering tackle and the ball went for a corner.

That would be the turning point, as Sykes in the home goal would send a long ball forward down the right wing, where substitute Afonso-Ferreira got clear of Charlesworth. Wilson had not advanced too far, but the Frickley man took the opportunity to execute a perfect lob over the Thackley keeper and into the net, giving the home side the crucial lead on 70 minutes.

Thackley looked to hit back straight away with Washington having a shot from range which was cleared and then Gorji being slid in, but he was forced wide and his effort was again saved by Sykes at the near post. On 77 minutes, Jenkinson for the home side would pick up a yellow as he took down McClarin who had been played in behind the Frickley back line with a great bit of play in what would have been a dangerous opportunity for Thackley.

On 78 minutes, Fitch and Brooks would enter the play for Parker and Walker. On 84 minutes, Thackley again had Wilson to thank as he made a fantastic save from a Frickley penalty which would give Thackley a chance to take something from the game if a chance presented itself. It was a well struck penalty, and an equally impressive save which makes it two saves from two penalties for Wilson this season already.

On 88 minutes, Thackley would put Hussain on for defender Charlesworth as the Dennyboys threw everything they could to try get the equaliser, with Frickley looking dangerous on the break, but unfortunately the referee's whistle would come and the game finished with Frickley taking all 3 points.

FULL-TIME: Frickley Athletic 1-0 Thackley AFC

It was a tight game throughout, with both teams having spells and moments in the ascendency, but ultimately it was a first league defeat of the season for Thackley.

Thackley have another quick turnaround as it is a home match under the lights on Wednesday 20 August 2025 at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield as we entertain Knaresborough Town.

Frickley Athletic team: Sykes; Kilner; Jenkinson; Tingle; Radley; Collins; Woolford; Spence©; Nnenanya; Robinson; Alngohuro
Subs: Afonso-Ferreira; Butchart; Kastere; Sheard; Keyghobadi.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson; Gibbon; Charlesworth (Hussain 88'); Washington; Basi; Parker (Brooks 78’) ; McClarin ; Mannings©; Gorji; Hunt; Walker (Fitch 78').
Unused subs: Whelan; Hindle.

Frickley Athletic scorer: Afonso-Ferraira (70mins)

Attendance: 182