Isuzu FA Vase- Saturday 15th August 2026- Kick Off: 3.00pm

Match Report by Cayden Sands

Despite a flurry of chances, Thackley failed to take advantage of them, succumbing them to a 1-0 defeat against Yarm & Eaglescliffe in the Isuzu FA Vase.

Both sides had early chances to score, with Hass Gorji having the best of these, a low effort in the area that was saved by Lee Roberts before the following passage of play led to a throw in.

The Dennyboys continued to enjoy the best of the game’s early opportunities, with Gorji having another effort, whilst Luke Brooks tried his luck from just outside the area on the eight minute mark, though this we could only go over the bar.

The ten minute mark then saw the game’s best moment up to that point, with a Bobby Isbell effort testing Roberts and forcing a good save out of the keeper, with the resulting corner seeing Keanan Mannings have a chance of his own, though this was also saved.

The 15th minute saw Isbell in amongst the opportunities again, this time having a go with a curling effort, though this was again saved by Roberts.

The 19th minute would then see another chance for Mannings, with a floating free kick being headed by the midfielder and caught by Roberts.

Another good opportunity would emerge in the 28th minute, with Gorji chasing down the ball and attempting to dink it over Roberts, though under some pressure, he could only put it over the bar and away.

After 36 minutes, another excellent spell of play from Thackley a cross from Alex Washington find Brooks, who headed the ball down to Dan McDaid, whose volley was saved by Roberts and then cleared away.

 Yarm would find a way back into the game and had a decent spell to end the half, but a lack of good opportunities proved to be the story of this spell.

After a brief added time period, the referee would bring the half to an end, with the Dennyboys enjoying the best of the game’s chances, but having nothing to show for it.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 0-0 Yarm & Eaglescliffe

Yarm began the second half in a better fashion than the first, having the first big opportunity after 50 minutes when Thomas Atkinson attempted to guide a headed effort past Liam Wilson, but the keeper was there to make the save and prevent an opener.

After this chance, the game entered perhaps its quietest period so far as neither team was able to gain a foothold on the opposition.

The 62nd minute saw the Dennyboys have their first real chance of the half, with a decent set piece routine allowing Symeon Corion to attempt a good effort at goal that was caught by Roberts.

As the game reached the 73 minute mark, an unremarkable second half up to this stage saw a brief burst of life as both teams made progress up the pitch one after the other, though neither of them could create that crucial opportunity to gain the advantage.

The Dennyboys saw another good opportunity go by on 76 minutes after substitute Paul Walker found the ball in open space before he attempted an effort from distance that did show some promise but could only go over the crossbar.

Against the run of play, Yarm would take the lead in the 84th minute after an initial save from a Joshua Larkin effort wasn’t dealt with by the Dennyboys, allowing for the visitors to have another good opportunity go and find Thomas Atkinson in a good position to open the scoring with a low effort into the corner.

After taking the lead, Yarm were able to defend their advantage well as Thackley failed to create another opportunity of note, meaning the Dennyboys suffered another early FA Vase exit.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 0-1 Yarm & Eaglescliffe

Jamie Price’s side return to action on Saturday as they face Vauxhall Motors in the Emirates FA Cup.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Walters, McDaid, Washington, Davies (McClare 80’), Figurny (Corion 55’), Brooks, Mannings, Gorji (Whelan 79’), Owen (Walker 55’), Isbell.

Yarm & Eaglescliffe team: L. Roberts, Stewart-Titchiner, Dalton, E. Jones, D. Jones, McWilliams, Larkin, Cofinas, Atkinson,  M. Roberts, S. Roberts.

Yarm & Eaglescliffe scorer: Atkinson (84’).