Both sides enjoyed chances early on in the game, with Pickering having an effort cleared off the line in the 13th minute before Hass Gorji saw a promising opportunity saved by Harry Garman only four minutes later for the Dennyboys.

The 26th minute saw Gorji more involved in the action, with the forward having the ball in the net, but the referee pulled the play back for offside, denying Thackley the lead.

The Dennyboys’ control of the game continued on 34 minutes, with Alex Washington seeing his curled shot go up and over the bar, albeit with some promise in the effort.

Paul Walker would then come the closest to scoring of any Thackley player, when in the 39th minute he saw a volley hit the crossbar and and go out, making the team wait longer for a reward for their efforts.

However, it would be the hosts who took the lead before half time when after they won a penalty, Souley Coulibaly was there to convert it, giving Pickering an unlikely advantage after all of Thackley’s opportunities.

Shortly after this, the referee’s whistle would bring the first half to a close, with both teams fairly matched, but separated thanks to Coulibaly’s effort.

HALF-TIME: Pickering Town 1-0 Thackley AFC

Just as the second half had got underway, Pickering doubled their lead, with Coulibaly capitalising on a defending error to slot the ball past Liam Wilson, giving Thackley an uphill task for the remainder of the game.

Despite this, the Dennyboys weren’t going to be defeated so easily, with Lewis Sugden attempting a chipped effort from distance against Garman on the 57 minute mark, but although it could only go wide of the mark, it showed that Thackley were very much still in the game.

Washington would have another chance that went out for a corner after 62 minutes, before Joe Wood would force a great save out of Wilson almost immediately after.

This save would prove vital, with the Dennyboys halving the deficit on the 67 minute mark thanks to Toby Marriott, who scored his first goal for Thackley with a well taken effort.

From here, it was all Thackley going forward, with Luke Brooks having a very good opportunity on the 78 minute mark that just went wide and out.

However, the 85th minute would produce an equaliser, with substitute Tom Parkinson scoring with a brilliant right footed shot from outside the box that left Garman with no chance of a save, setting up an exciting final part of the game.

Right as the Thackley faithful had finished celebrating Parkinson’s effort, they would be celebrating once again on 88 minutes, with a superb goal from Sugden sealing the win.

The midfielder was able to flick the ball over a defender, before controlling it and sending it up and over Garman, sealing the most brilliant of comebacks and a deserved win for the Dennyboys.

The referee would bring the game to an end with Thackley delighted after a real showing of determination and belief ensured they could complete the comeback after the game looked to be out of reach for them.

FULL-TIME: Pickering Town 2-3 Thackley AFC

The Dennyboys return to NCEL Premier Division action on Saturday when they welcome Campion AFC to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield for a Bradford derby.

Pickering Town team: Garman, Dyer, Kachosa, Heslop, Avison, Nock, Bauer, Brooksby, Coulibaly, Brown, Wood.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Gibbon, Polwarth (Parkinson 57’), Washington, Coates, Sugden, Brooks, Mannings, Marriott (Owen 90’), Gorji, Walker.

Pickering Town scorer: Coulibaly (44’ and 49’).

Thackley AFC scorers: Marriott, (67’), Parkinson (85’), Sugden (88’).