Thackley AFC V Pickering Town- Match Preview

Macron NCEL Premier Division- Saturday 21st February- Kick Off: 3.00pm

Match Preview by Cayden Sands

Overview:
It’s a return to home comforts for Thackley as they welcome Pickering Town to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield.

After last week’s postponement against Campion AFC and defeat to Golcar United in their previous game, Jamie Price’s team will be eager to return to winning ways as the season winds down.

Adding onto this, changes in playing personnel will give the management team some new options on their mission to pick up points.

The Opposition:
Pickering Town’s season has been a respectable one.

‘Pikes’ still have an outside chance of reaching the end of season play offs, with them being in the position of having some games in hand on the teams around them.

This can be traced back to both postponements and their run in the Emirates FA Cup.

The latter of these was notable as it saw the club’s Second Round Qualifying game against Runcorn Linnets shown live on the BBC.

Since previously playing against Thackley, notable results have included their 3-0 victory at Barton Town, their 2-0 win against Sheffield FC, their 4-1 drubbing of Handsworth FC and a recent 2-1 win, again against Barton, this time in the return fixture.

Key Players:
The man scoring most of the goals for the North Yorkshire side is Souleymane Coulibaly, who sits on a very impressive 24 league goals.

Meanwhile, contributions courtesy of George Brown have seen him score five goals in the league, whilst also scoring the same amount in cup competitions, with this making him the club’s top scorer away from league games.

Previous Meeting:
The previous meeting between Pickering and Thackley was a classic, with Price’s team coming from two goals down to win 3-2.

Coulibaly’s goals would put Pickering comfortably ahead at Mill Lane, before a late comeback saw Toby Marriott, Thomas Parkinson and Lewis Sugden score to confirm the most unlikely of wins in a moment that proved to be one of the best of the team’s season.

Admission Prices:
Adults: £7
Concessions: £5
Dogs allowed on a lead