Macron NCEL Premier Division- Saturday 19th September 2026- Kick Off: 3.00pm

Match Report by Cayden Sands

A second half goal and a first for the club for Alfie King secured a 1-1 draw for Thackley at Albion Sports.

The Dennyboys began the game well and had some good early opportunities, but the hosts’ defence held firm and stopped any potential momentum that Thackley created.

Albion would capitalise on this, taking the lead after 12 minutes when a cross found the head of Lewis Waddington, whose diving header was met with speed before beating Liam Wilson and ending up in the net, giving Thackley an early hill to climb.

The 20th minute saw the next big moment as another good effort from Waddington tested Wilson, but this time it would be saved by the keeper.

Thackley would grow into the game after this and really test Albion for the first time, with Paul Walker’s low effort against Harrison Smith after 27 minutes being the best chance up to this stage, with it being saved by the Albion stopper.

Another chance would present itself on 34 minutes when Dan McDaid found the right space to have a go from distance, but this would go wide of the mark.

Walker had another good chance in the 40th minute, this time from a wide angle as he collected a short corner and found the space test the keeper, but it would go narrowly wide of the mark.

The rest of the half would pass without much of note, allowing the referee to bring it to a quick conclusion as the Dennyboys looked promising, but were unable to score as the half came to an end.

HALF TIME: Albion Sports 1 V 0 Thackley AFC

Thackley would begin the second half in a strong fashion, having their best opportunity up to this stage on 51 minutes when a Luke Brooks free kick had the beating of Smith, only for it to hit the bar and go out of play.

After this opportunity, Thackley continued to press as Albion had little in the way of their own chances, but some strong defending from the hosts that had persisted throughout the game continued to limit the Dennyboys’ hopes in front of goal.

Brooks had another good chance after 72 minutes, this time finding the time and space for a low effort that was collected by Smith as it failed to trouble the Albion goalkeeper.

Despite this, Thackley wouldn’t have to wait long to level the game up, a mission that they would accomplish after 73 minutes when an excellent piece of work on the wing by Reuben Bartkiw allowed the winger to play the ball down to King, who scored his first goal for the club with a low effort into the bottom corner to set up an exciting final portion of the match.

The hosts almost retook the lead in the 83rd minute when from a first time opportunity, Sumaili Cisse saw a good chance saved by Wilson, who made a great stop to keep the game all square.

Deep into added time, Alex Washington almost won the game for Thackley, taking the ball inside the area before having a low effort that beat the the hosts’ defenders, but couldn’t get the better of Smith, who made a crucial stop.

Shortly after this opportunity, the referee would bring the game to an end to confirm a deserved point for the Dennyboys in a very exciting fixture at times.

FULL TIME: Albion Sports 1 V 1 Thackley AFC

Jamie Price’s side return to league action on Saturday when they travel to Frickley Athletic.

Albion Sports team: Smith, Cox, Wilkinson, Ponter (Buchan 52’), Cantu, Basi, Ndlovu, Nasihunu (Robinson 69’), Waddington (Poxon 90’), Sangster (Cisse 74’), Gorji (Wilkinson 90+5’).

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Walters (Isbell 68’), McDaid, Washington, Basi, Whelan, Kell (Bartkiw 61’), Brooks, Birley (Figurny 68’), King (McClare 82’), Walker.

Albion Sports scorer: Waddington (12’)

Thackley AFC scorer: King (73’)