The Dennyboys got off to a good start, testing Beverley keeper Leigh Overton on a few occasions, with a free kick from Lewis Sugden and a header from Toby Marriott both happening in succession.

Defender James Piercy for the visitors was lucky to escape with no yellow / red card from the challenge leading to the Sugden free kick, as Marriott had stolen possession and got the wrong side of his marker, before being brought down when through on goal. Had the match not been in the 4th minute, the punishment from the referee may have been more harsh than just a free kick on the edge of the area.

The game would come to life more from here, with Thackley doing well to soak up pressure from their opponents, whilst showing a fair amount of promise themselves.

The 24th minute saw the Beavers have two opportunities in a similarly quick succession to the Dennyboys’ early chances, but Thackley’s defence held firm amidst this pressure and the ball was cleared away to end this run of play.

Marriott would find himself in the middle of a second big opportunity in the 31st minute, being let loose in open space before putting the ball across the box to Hass Gorji, but the forward was unable to get to the pass before it was cleared out for a corner, denying the Dennyboys would could have been an excellent goal.

As half time approached, both sides continued to press each other and pile on pressure, though it would be Beverley who enjoyed the best of the momentum.

The referee would then call for half time to bring what had been a competitive first half to a close.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 0-0 Beverley Town

The second half began in a similarly competitive manner, setting up another exciting portion of the game.

The game’s first goal came after 53 minutes, with Beverley taking the lead after Suluburic managed to get to the ball before Liam Wilson on a deflected shot with Wilson committed to the save, allowing him to put it over the keeper and into the net, meaning the Dennyboys had it all to do for the rest of the half.

After conceding, Thackley were able to take a level of control, enjoying some good moments and looking likely to get an equaliser, particularly following forwards Ryan Conlon and Tabish Hussain being introduced to the game, with them adding some fresh legs going up the pitch.

Just before the latter of the two was introduced, it was after 70 minutes when Conlon had an excellent chance to level the game, having an effort at goal inside the 18 yard box that was blocked by a Beverley man before being cleared away, giving the Dennyboys hope of a leveller if they continued to create opportunities such as this.

Thackley continued to press as the game entered an important period, with Beverley consolidating their advantage and frustrating their opponents alongside limiting their clear chances.

This theme would persist as the game came to an end, with the Dennyboys being denied a late chance at an equaliser after Conlon had again got the wrong side of Piercy and looked to be through on goal. The ball spilled out to Marriott, with Conlon then taken down by Piercy on the edge, and Marriott rounded the visiting keeper before the referee's whistle blew. Those in the stadium thought the referee had blown for a foul on Conlon and premature with Marriott having an open goal, but to the surprise of the home support and players the free kick was actually given for an alleged foul by Conlon on the visitors' defender, despite himself being through on goal at the time.

This allowed Beverley to seal a narrow victory, albeit not without some good moments from Thackley, another clear showing of their ability to go toe to toe against the league’s top sides.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 0-1 Beverley Town

The Dennyboys return to league action on Saturday when they travel to Eccleshill United for an exciting derby day affair.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Gibbon, Polwarth, Washington, Coates, Sugden, Brookes (Parker 56’), Mannings, Marriott, Gorji (Conlon 64’), Walker (75’).
Unused Subs: Whelan, Parkinson

Beverley Town team: Overton, Larkin, Stockhill, Lovick, Plummer, Piercy, Suluburic, Opoku, Sani, Snelgrove, Ofori.

Beverley Town scorer: Suluburic.

Man of the Match: Alfie Gibbon (picked by Match Sponsor, Terra Firma Consulting