Macron NCEL Premier Division- Saturday 26th September- Kick Off: 3.00pm

Match Report by Cayden Sands

Two goals at either side of the second half saw Thackley succumb to a 2-0 loss against ten man Frickley Athletic.

Both teams would have opportunities early in the game, with the hosts unable to make the most of a number of chances after just three minutes, whilst Marcel Stepniewski tested Lloyd Allinson for the first time in the game as a save after seven minutes denied the Dennyboys the advantage.

The best early change however came after 12 minutes when after being left one on one with Liam Wilson, Samuel Cable thought he’d given Frickley the lead with an effort that whilst it was well taken, only hit the side netting.

The momentum of the game would shift in favour of both sides following the opportunity, though this would of course lead to a quieter period in which opportunities were few and far between for both sides.

Cable would see another opportunity come his way after 27 minutes, this time seeing him place a promising header across goal that none of his teammates could get to, leading to a big let off and an eventual clearance from Thackley.

The Dennyboys would see two opportunities to capitalise on their good defending shortly after, the first of these coming after 29 minutes when Alfie King was played into space in the penalty area, allowing him to have a first time effort that although it was intended for the bottom left hand corner, forced another stop from Allinson and gave Thackley a corner.

The second of these chances came only a minute later, this time seeing Reuben Bartkiw find even more space to test Allinson, but his effort would end up straight at the keeper, further preventing a Dennyboys lead.

Frickley’s Joel Spence would then have a chance of his own immediately after this, but this would allow Wilson to make a good stop of his own.

Clear cut opportunities would prove hard to come by for the rest of the half, but the game’s drama would increase in first half stoppage time when Jayden Roberts would be sent off for the hosts following an off the ball incident, adding to the intrigue and setting up an interesting second half.

After the sending off, the referee would bring the half to an end as the two goalkeepers had been the heroes of the day up this stage.

HALF TIME: Frickley Athletic 0-0 Thackley AFC

The second half began in terrible fashion for the Dennyboys, with Frickley taking the lead after 51 minutes when a miscommunication between Wilson and Dan McDaid allowed Cable to take the ball in the penalty area and slot it past the keeper, giving the ten man team a somewhat unlikely lead and Thackley a hill to climb going forward.

Despite going behind, Thackley continued to look lively, with a leveller almost coming after 56 minutes courtesy of Luke Brooks, who got to a cross before a looping effort troubled Allinson, but despite beating the keeper, hit the crossbar and bounced behind and out of play.

Much like the first half, the second would also see a much quieter period after an exciting start as the Dennyboys struggled to break down their opposition.

The 70th minute would present the game’s next big opportunity when after being played through in the penalty area, an uncharacteristically poor effort from Stepniewski would see him test Allinson with and take his first time chance on the outside of his foot before the keeper would comfortably save it, keeping the hosts ahead.

The 78th minute saw Frickley have a good opportunity to extend their lead when Luke Williams was played through in a one on one with Wilson, but the Thackley stopper would make a superb save to prevent the goal.

Chances would keep coming for both sides, with Bobby Isbell and Alex Washington both seeing late chances saved by Allinson, whilst in between these, Jack Humphreys would fail to take an opportunity that was easier to miss according to some to deny Frickley a second goal.

It would be after Washington’s opportunity however when the game would be put to bed, with Frickley countering from a corner and Spence finding plenty of room to run down the pitch and score the second of the game with a low effort past Wilson, confirming only a second victory of the season for the hosts.

Jamie Price’s side would fail to mount any sort of comeback following this goal, with the referee bringing the game to an end as Frickley emerged with a deserved victory on this occasion.

FULL TIME: Frickley Atheltic 2-0 Thackley AFC

Thackley make their return to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield on Wednesday when they take on Bottesford Town.

Frickley Athletic team: Allinson, Purkiss, Gagen, Spence, Jenkinson, Dacre, Roberts, Price (Carmody 90+1’), Cable (Andrew 67’), Clegg (Williams 67’), Flanagan (45’).

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Walters (Birley 76’), McDaid, Washington, Basi, Figurny (Isbell 61), Bartkiw, Brooks (McClare 60’), Stepniewski, King (Kell 45’), Walker.

Frickley Athletic scorers: Cable (51’), Spence (89’).