The Dennyboys began the game in control and had some opportunities, with the likes of Nathan Hunt, Toby Marriott and Alex Washington all showing some promise in front of a resilient Bottesford defence.

These early chances also led to some set pieces, further strengthening the early game performance of the team.

Their resistance would eventually be broken in the 20th minute when Gorji’s first goal gave Thackley the lead, this coming from a good move led by himself and his fellow forward Marriott, who laid the ball off to the scorer for him to tap the ball in with ease.

Marriott continued to be a problem for Bottesford going forward after the goal and did look incredibly lively, managing to drive half way up the pitch on the 25 minute mark before the resulting effort narrowly missed, though his strength with the ball put him in good stead for the rest of the game.

Thackley continued to control possession and by far looked the stronger of the two sides as the half time whistle approached as Bottesford had little in terms of an answer to the Dennyboys’ dominance.

Marriott managed to have one more effort before half time after an assist from Luke Brooks, but this was very well dealt with by Josh Render.

The half would come to an end not long after, with Jamie Price’s side firmly in control.

HALF TIME: Bottesford Town 0-1 Thackley AFC

The hosts began the second half in a better fashion compared to the first as they enjoyed some opportunities.

Despite this, the Dennyboys weren’t easily held back, proven in the 54th minute when their lead was doubled by Gorji, with the forward getting his second of the game after an excellent ball into the box from Tom Parkinson allowed him to place the ball into the net.

Gorji would almost have his hat trick just short of the hour after a cross from Marriott found him, with the resulting effort being narrowly cleared off the line.

Following this, the game’s momentum shifted in favour of the hosts, with them forcing Liam Wilson into a number of saves as Thackley hoped to maintain their advantage.

Despite their resilience, Thackley’s lead was halved after 72 minutes when an excellent free kick was crossed into the box, allowing for Clayton Bryant to connect and beat Wilson.

Chances would begin to flow for both teams after Bottesford’s goa as Lewis Sugden had two efforts within seven minutes of one another that almost saw Thackley get their third goal, whilst Wilson was forced into some more great stops and Paul Walker saw a chance hit the frame of the goal just before added time.

The remaining minutes of the game would take a turn when both Bottesford’s Okara Simmonds and Washington were shown red cards following a challenge by the former that led to a scuffle, meaning both sides finished the game with 10 men.

Either side of the sending offs, Paul Walker had the opportunity to seal the win for the Dennyboys with two opportunities. First, Walker was played through and from a narrow angle, his effort hit the left hand near post and bounced away to safety. The second, in stoppage time, saw Walker through on goal and one on one with the keeper. Unfortunately, his finish was too high and cannoned of the cross bar and back out to safety when the goal was at his mercy.

Those misses would prove costly and Bottesford would ultimately save a point right at the end, with a free kick similar to the earlier one finding the net thanks to Scott Matthews, who got to the cross. Thackley felt hard done by in the award of the free kick, as it looked like Tyler Polwarth himself had been fouled before he caught his man, but the officials waved away the Thackley appeals but gave Bottesford their free kick in a dangerous area.

Shortly following the equaliser, the match official would bring an end to what was an enthralling game, with both sides settling for what was a fair point on the balance of play.

FULL TIME: Bottesford Town 2-2 Thackley AFC

Thackley’s next game sees a return to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield when they face Tadcaster Albion.

Bottesford Town team: Render, Gregory, Chaffer, Ridley, Render, Roddis, Ayris, Matthews, McMenemy, Bryant, Borland.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Brooks, Parkinson, Sugden, Coates, Hunt, Gorji, Mannings, Marriott, Washington, Walker.

Bottesford Town scorers: Bryant (72’), Matthews (90’).

Thackley AFC scorer: Gorji (20’ and 54’).