Thackley AFC v Albion Sports- Match Preview

NCEL Premier Divison - Saturday 30th August 2025 - Kick-Off 3.00pm

Match Preview by Cayden Sands

Overview:
Thackley return to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield on Saturday when they face Albion Sports in their first Bradford derby of the season.

This game comes as the Dennyboys have had a large number of home games in recent weeks, including fixtures against Horbury Town, Knaresborough Town and Parkgate FC.

With a good crowd expected for the fixture, there will be every hope amongst the Thackley faithful that the team can get back to winning ways, with a derby the ideal game to do so.

The Opposition:
Making the short journey to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield are an Albion Sports side who have endured a less than ideal start to their NCEL Premier Division campaign.

After narrowly missing out on the play offs last season, the ‘Lions’ have been unable to replicate their success from last season so far in this campaign, with the side currently sitting on one point in the league following their move from the Horsfall Community Stadium to the new facility at Myra Shay under the joint management of Neil Sibson and Mohammed Rizwan.

They also suffered an early exit from the Emirates FA Cup, losing to fellow NCEL Premier Division side Sheffield FC.

Their sole point would also come against the world’s oldest club after the two sides played out an exciting 2-2 draw.

Key Players:
Without a doubt Albion’s most important player is Nathan Cartman.

As a known goalscorer, Cartman has already scored two goals in this campaign and is being tipped to score plenty more as the season progresses.

Sumaili Cisse has also scored twice so far this season, a clear showing of his own capacity for goals.

Previous Meeting:
The previous meeting between Thackley and Albion came at a pivotal point of the 2024-25 season as both teams had a fair shot at the play offs.

Cartman would give Albion the lead just after the start of the second half, but this was later cancelled out by an equaliser from Tawheed Ahmed for the Dennyboys to ensure that the game finished 1-1.

Admission Prices:
Adults: £7
Concessions: £5
Dogs allowed on a lead.