A pair of goals from Hass Gorji and Olaf Figurny failed to produce the result many hoped for, with Thackley losing 4-2 to Knaresborough Town on the opening day of the NCEL Premier Division season.

A youthful Thackley team started the game and the first game of the season, with Lewis Sugden and Dan McDaid unavailable, and Captain Keanan Mannings out injured with a slight knock.

Paul Walker, Ryan Conlon and Nathan Hunt were only available for the bench as they also work their way back to full fitness following minor knocks.

After a competitive opening period of the game, the Dennyboys took the lead after just eight minutes when an excellent cross from Jospeh Kell was volleyed home by Gorji, who gave Edd Hall no chance of a save with a brilliant effort.

Thackley defended well after going ahead and were able to keep Knaresborough at bay until their next opportunity, an effort from Gorji that managed to show some promise but was collected by Hall to end this spell of play.

Kell would continue to show his worth soon after, winning a corner that was whipped into the box before the resulting header from Mick Jones was caught by Hall, though the strength of the delivery meant a good start from the Thackley winger continued.

The Dennyboys continued to press, allowing Gorji to have another opportunity, though this was blocked.

Knaresborough would capitalise on Thackley’s missed opportunies, equalising in the 26th minute thanks to Jack Dyche, who got to a cross before heading it past Liam Wilson.

The game became a real tussle between the two teams after the equaliser, with both sides able to mitigate and prevent chances for the other.

Despite both sides showing promise, this theme continued as the game neared the half time period.

The referee’s whistle would bring the half to an end soon after, with the two teams well matched in a lively game.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 1-1 Knaresborough Town

The second half couldn’t have started worse for Thackley, with Knaresborough taking the lead on 47 minutes after Lio Gama scored an own goal, giving the team a mountain to climb.

Almost immediately after the restart however, Thackley were level again, this time thanks to Figurny, who scored a first contender for goal of the season with a fantastic effort from distance that despite a dive from Hall, wizzed into the net.

Following the initial excitement of the second half’s opening, the game took on a slower tempo as both sides looked to find a way through, with Thackley having some exciting moments going forward.

After a fairly uneventful second half up to this stage, Jamie Price would make some changes up front, introducing Reuben Bartkiw and Josh Owen to the game as the search for a winning goal continued.

The minutes would begin to tick down and both sides still showed promise, though Knaresborough enjoyed the best of the game’s momentum and tested the Thackley defenders on several occasions.

Unfortunately for the Dennyboys, this momentum would pay off in the 89th minute for the visitors after a cross from Slater Barnes-Cook found substitute Luke Stewart at the at Wilson’s near post, with the Knaresborough man beating the keeper with a well taken effort.

Despite a late push from Thackley, Knaresborough would wrap the game up in added time, with Alex Ingham taking the ball round Wilson in a one on one moment and slotting it into the goal, confirming an opening day disappointment for the Dennyboys.

Shortly after this goal, the referee would bring the game to an end, with Thackley left wondering what could have been as a positive opening day result slipped through their fingers.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 2-4 Knaresborough Town

Price’s side return to action on Wednesday night when they welcome Horbury Town to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield in search of a first win of the season.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Walters, Gama, Washington, Basi, Figurny, Kell, Brooks (Hunt 70’), Jones (Walker 85’), Gorji (Owen 76’), Isbell (Bartkiw 76’).

Knaresborough Town team: Hall, Thirkell, Hargreaves, Lazenby (Greveson 81’), Lenehan, Wildin (Powis 56’), Barnes-Cook, Leverett, Gelder (Ingham 73’), Dyche (Hampson 62’), White (Stewart 87’).

Thackley AFC scorers: Gorji (8’), Figurny (49’)

Knaresborough Town scorers: Dyche (26’), Gama (OG 47’), Stewart (89’), Ingham (90+8’).