With James Knowles missing out due to his head injury suffered on debut last week, Kam Basi came into the heart of central defence, with Luke Brooks also replacing Tom Parkinson in the Starting XI.

Jamie Price’s team started the game well, with Toby Marriott showing some promise going forward thanks to an early opportunity that was blocked, before he then squared the ball across goal to Luke Brooks not long after, though the latter’s effort went over, both of these happening in the first 10 minutes.

The Dennyboys continued to have the better of the game and looked much more likely than their opponents to score, including with a move in the 20th minute that saw Mason Wilson play a pass down the wing to Brooks, who then beat his marker and got into open space for an effort at goal, but this couldn’t quite find the net.

Lewis Sugden would then have a chance of his own after half an hour thanks to an initial free kick that hit the wall of Barton players before he attempted a volleyed effort, this being deflected out for a corner.

The rest of the first half saw the Dennyboys enjoy some more momentum in what had been a very competitive game, with them limiting their opponents to few clear cut opportunities.

The referee would bring the half to an end with both teams still looking for their opener, paving the way for an interesting second half of the game.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 1-1 Barton Town

The second half began at a slower pace than the first as both teams tried their best to gain a foothold in the game.

As the 60 minute mark approached, Price decided to bring some more life into the game, with names such as Tom Whelan and Nathan Hunt being introduced in place of Kam Basi and Luke Brooks as the team looked for a goal.

The game’s pace would pick up following these changes, especially evident with Sugden managing to have another good chance after 62 minutes.

However, Barton would then take the lead after 64 minutes agains the run of play and with their first effort on target, after a corner bounced around the penalty area before finding Thomas Waudby, who scored with a first time effort in the box.

Thackley however weren’t going to be put down easily, a point that was proven by a fantastic effort from Alex Washington outside the area which was just saved by Charlie Dixon-Brown before rattling the crossbar.

More substitutions from the Dennyboys followed, this time introducing Tom Parkinson and Hass Gorji in place of Mason Wilson and Harry Green as the team continued to search for an equaliser.

Those changes managed to further rejuvenate the team, a fact that yielded a reward after 85 minutes when following another Lewis Sugden corner, Mannings was there to head it past the keeper and in, levelling the game at a crucial period.

The Dennyboys were able to finish the game strong and gave Barton no room for any chances of their own, whilst Thackley had a few chances to win the game.

Despite the late hope, both teams were made to settle for a point in a very entertaining encounter, with the whistle ending any hope of a late goal.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 1-1 Barton Town

Thackley’s first game following Christmas sees the side make the short journey to Myra Shay to face Albion Sports in a Bradford derby, with a 2pm KO on Saturday 27 December 2025.

Thackley AFC team: L. Wilson, M. Wilson (Parkinson 79’), Green (Gorji 79’), Sugden, Basi (Whelan 58’), Coates, Brooks (Hunt 58’), Mannings, Marriott, Washington, Walker.

Barton Town team: Dixon-Brown, Broadley, Buttle, King, Papprill, W. Waudby, T. Waudby, Tait, Stephens, Shepard, Fenton.

Thackley AFC scorer: Mannings (85’)

Barton Town scorer: T. Waudby (64’)