On a day of always changing conditions, the Dennyboys had the game’s first big chance in the sixth minute, with Hass Gorji forcing a save out of Harry Ambler in what was an early statement of intent from the team.

The visitors would find their way back into the game after this, doing well in possession and having some chances, but the Thackley defence held firm and managed to keep them at bay for an extended period.

The game’s momentum would be halted in the 22nd minute after some treatment for Thackley captain Keenan Mannings, but it would be the Dennyboys who had the next major opportunity after the restart, with Toby Marriott taking the ball in open space before having a shot that went over the bar, leaving the scores level as the game approached half time.

However, Thackley’s strong efforts up to this point would ultimately be pegged back in the 38th minute when after receiving the ball, Scrivens was in the right place at the right time to have an effort at goal for Penistone that saw the ball curl past Liam Wilson and into the net, giving them the lead and giving the Dennyboys extra work to do for the rest of the game.

Soon after this, half time would arrive with the sides very much balanced and with Scrivens’ goal being the only thing separating them.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 0-1 Penistone Church

The second half began in a much less busy fashion in comparison to the first as both teams looked to gain a foothold on the game.

It would be the 58th minute before the half’s first real moment of note happened, with Luca Defalco heading the ball wide of the goal for the visitors.

Thackley weren’t going to be so easily deflated as the half progressed however, with some promising moments, including a 65th minute corner from Tabish Hussain that troubled the Penistone defence, showing that they were far from out of the game.

In need of fresh legs, the Dennyboys made some changes, including the introduction of names such as Alfie Gibbon and Josh Owen as their search for an equaliser continued.

The visitors did almost double their lead on 78 minutes when Luke O’Grady was played through on goal against Wilson, but despite beating the Thackley keeper, his shot could only hit the post in a real let off for the Dennyboys as the game entered a crucial period.

In the final 10 minutes, Thackley began to enjoy perhaps their best spell of momentum of the entire game as they really tested the Penistone defence and seemed likely to get the equaliser.

The best chance of this momentum came in the 86th minute thanks to Gorji, who controlled the ball excellently outside the box before having an effort at goal that just went over the bar.

As the game neared stoppage time, the visitors almost got a second, with Nathan Keightley forcing another good stop from Liam Wilson that to keep the Dennyboys in with a chance of an equaliser.

Following this, the referee’s whistle brought an end to the game, with Thackley seeing more positives in this performance, but with a lack of bite in front of goal ultimately costing them.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 0-1 Penistone Church

It will be a very quick return to action for the Dennyboys when they travel to Liversedge on Tuesday night in the NCEL Premier Division.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Charlesworth (Gibbon 74’), Parkinson, McClarin, Morgan (Brooks 46’), Coates, Hussain (Owen 80’), Mannings, Gorji, Marriott, Walker.

Penistone Church team: Ambler, Stocks, Young, Howes, Ludlam, Cawthorn, Defalco, O’Grady, Keightley, Ryan, Scrivens.

Penistone Church scorer: Scrivens (38’)