Macron NCEL Premier Divison – Wednesday 12th August 2026 – Kick Off: 7.45pm

Match Report by Leo Goy

Thackley suffered a late defeat in stoppage time, with the side losing 2-1 against Penistone Church in the NCEL Premier Division.

For the home side, debutant Max Davies, Lewis Sugden, Reuben Bartkiw, Keanan Mannings and Paul Walker all started the game after not making the starting XI against Albion Sports.

In the sixth minute, Penistone had an early chance as a mistake from Liam Wilson left the net wide open, with Leon Hurles-Brook attempting the shot, but Dan McDaid for managed to head his effort over the bar in a moment of relief for the Dennyboys.

Following this, the Dennyboys had a chance of their own with Walker playing a brilliant ball which found Bartkiw, but he placed his shot straight at the keeper and the visitors managed to clear it away for a throw-in.

Mannings for Thackley then attempted a long throw in search of Mick Jones, but Harry Ambler for Penistone managed to punch the ball away.

The visitors then earned themselves a long throw-in, but this also quickly dealt with.

The Dennyboys then played a searching ball out wide for Isbell, but his effort went wide of the mark, whilst Kieran Ryan for Penistone found some space in a similar position and played a ball into the box, but he couldn’t find a black and white shirt.

Jones would then have an opportunity in the box for the Dennyboys, but his shot was saved by Ambler , and nothing came from the resulting corner, bringing this passage of play to end.

Against the run of play in the 18th minute, Nathan Keightley for the visitors was played through on goal from a quick counterattack and managed to put his side ahead, thanks to a well taken effort from a somewhat difficult angle, punishing Thackley’s inability to take their chances in the process.

The visitors then had another chance fairly soon after, but Wilson managed to comfortably save the shot.

Thackley would then attempt a long throw-in, but Ambler for Penistone comfortably claimed the ball.

Shortly following the 26th minute, the visitors earned themselves a free kick on the edge of the box and opted to play a low ball, but the set piece was cleared by the Dennyboys.

In the 28th minute, after conceding the goal, the Dennyboys would then put the visitors under some consistent pressure, but they couldn’t create any goal-scoring opportunities.

Shortly after the hydration break, Thackley were almost made to pay again as they made a mistake at the back, but Penistone couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity.

Jack Cawthorn for the visitors would then attempt a curling free kick from the edge of the box, but it went straight out for a goal kick to the home side, whilst a corner that followed soon after was easily dealt with.

After a great save from Wilson prevented the visitors from extending their lead, Isbell would attempt a ball into the box from out wide, but his pass was placed straight at Ambler.

Just before half-time, Penistone had an excellent chance to extend their lead, but Wilson managed to pull off another superb save to keep the game at 1-0 to the visitors.

The referee would then blow his whistle to bring the half to an end, with Penistone arguably being the better side after taking the lead.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 0 V 1 Penistone Church

At half-time, Jamie Price decided to make a triple change, with Mannings, Jones and Isbell being replaced by Hass Gorji, Joe Kell and Luke Brooks.

The Dennboys started the half well with an early chance in the 48th minute as Davies won a header from a ball out wide, but his effort was saved by Amber.

Thackley would then have repeated corners in quick succession but couldn’t capitalise on them in the end.

Gorji then found himself played through on goal, providing an excellent opportunity to give the Dennyboys a leveller, but the number 14 hesitated, and the keeper managed to claim the ball.

Bartkiw would then play a low ball into the box as part of another good period of play, but it was placed straight at the Penistone keeper.
The Dennyboys then defended well alongside their good start to the second half, with Penistone having two corners consecutively, though both of these were dealt with.

Following this, after an amazing run from Kell, a site that Thackley supporters are becoming all too used to, the Dennyboys would then earn themselves a corner, but nothing came from it.

In the 61st minute, Kell would then cross the ball towards the back post, but it was too powerful for McDaid, and the ball went out for a goal kick.

Shortly after this, Bartkiw was replaced by Olaf Figurny.

The Dennyboys then had a great chance as Brooks sent the ball into the box to Gorji and he managed to get a shot away from close range, but the Penistone keeper pulled off a fantastic save to keep his side’s lead intact.

In the 67th minute, Kell did very well get past his defender and found Gorji in the box with a low effort that allowed the forward guide his shot past the keeper to score a deserved equaliser for the Dennyboys.

The visitors then made a further change after the Dennyboys equalised, with Elliot Harrison being replaced by Trent Coulter.
Penistone would then have a quick counterattack following the goal, but Thackley managed to defend well and clear the ball away.

In the 74th minute, Brooks managed to get a shot away, but it was comfortably saved by Ambler, who was equal to the effort.

In stoppage time and once again against the run of play, the visitors would then retake the lead through Keightley, who picked up his second goal of the match after beating his markers and getting the better of Wilson with a powerful effort to confirm the win for the South Yorkshire side.

Despite the Dennyboys having a strong second half, the game would finish 2-1 to Penistone following them retaking the lead in stoppage time.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 1 V 2 Penistone Church

Price’s side return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Yarm & Eaglescliffe at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield, where they look to progress in the FA Vase.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Davies, McDaid, Washington, Basi, Sugden, Bartkiw (Figurny 64’), Mannings (Brooks 45’), Jones (Gorji 45’), Isbell (Kell 45’), Walker.

Penistone Church team: Ambler, Ludlam, Simpson (Young 65’), Harrison (Coulter 67’), Cawthorn, Viggers, Coduri, Hurles-Brook, Keightley (White 90’), Ryan (Heath 74’), High (Defalco 74’).

Thackley AFC scorer: Gorji (67’)

Penistone Church scorers: Keightley (18’,90’)