Macron NCEL Premier Division – Wednesday 30th September 2026 – Kick Off: 7:45pm

Match Report by Leo Goy

Thackley suffered a second consecutive league defeat, with the side losing 2-0 to second-place Bottesford Town in the NCEL Premier Division.

For the home side, Joe Kell and Tom Whelan returned to the starting XI after missing out away at Frickley Athletic last Saturday.

Thackley started the game with an early free kick from Dan McDaid which was 30 yards out, but the keeper comfortably claimed the ball. The Dennyboys continued their good start in the third minute as Alfie King’s header was inches away; however, Bottesford defended well and managed to beat him to the ball.

Jamie Price’s side had a further chance in the eighth minute, as Kell played a great ball into the box from out wide to Marcel Stepniewski, whose attempt resulted to nothing.

The away side started to increase the pressure, as they earned two corners in quick succession, but the hosts were able to clear both away and stand strong. After this, Bottesford had a great chance to take the lead, as number eight Scott Matthews for the visitors managed to hit the bar, but nothing came from the rebound.

Thackley earned a long throw-in shortly after, and it resulted in a corner, but it was cleared away by Bottesford, who were currently dominating the game. In the 30th minute, the visitors had a further chance, as Jaime Ture received the ball in the box, but nothing came from his effort.

The away side continued to add pressure and had two chances in quick succession through Mason Chaffer and Matthews, however, their attempts went wide and over the bar. Following this, Bottesford earned a corner, but the Dennyboys managed to clear it away.

Just before half-time, Bottesford had two great chances to take the lead through a Henry Moore attempt and Jack Macmenemy, who was through on goal; however, Liam Wilson managed to pull off a couple of cracking saves to keep the game level.

The referee would then blow his whistle for half-time, with Bottesford dominating in the first half despite Thackley having chances early on.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 0 V 0 Bottesford Town

Bottesford started the second half well with an early chance from a cross, but the player in the box couldn’t get their head to the ball. Then in the 49th minute, the visitors had a further opportunity, but Nathaneal Dyer’s attempt was denied by Wilson.

Following this, the away side came close to taking the lead again but hit the crossbar and Moore’s chance was saved. The Dennyboys continued to defend well and managed to clear a low cross and corner from the visitors; however, Cody Prior’s attempt from the rebound went wide of the mark.

McDaid and Bottesford’s Jack Varley picked up the first yellow cards of the game from an off-the-ball incident during perhaps one of the game’s quietest periods. The away side were awarded the free kick, and it led to a corner in which Dyer managed to slot away a rebound to give the visitors the lead after constant pressure.

Following this, there was a lengthy pause in play as Dyer received treatment. However, the number ten was stretchered off and was replaced by Jake Brown.

In the 70th minute, great work from Paul Walker found Stepniewski on the edge of the area, but his attempt to give the Dennyboys the equaliser went wide of the mark.  Bottesford would then have a chance for themselves, but Ture’s effort went out of play for a corner, and nothing came from it.

Thackley then earned a corner in which the referee stopped play due to a foul on the keeper, ending any hope of a quick leveller.

The Dennyboys then managed to earn a free kick, and Walker’s effort was saved and led to a corner, but the visitors cleared away.

The home side decided to make their first change of the game in the 80th minute, as King was replaced by Bobby Isbell. The away side meanwhile opted for a double change, as Varley and Prior were replaced by Jaxon Borland and Harry Douglas.

The Dennyboys continued put on the pressure and came close to the equaliser in the 89th minute, but Bottesford managed to clear there effort off the line. Despite late chances from Thackley, Brown would double the visitors’ lead in the 92nd minute with a long shot that whilst deflected would still beat Wilson to double their lead, leaving the goalkeeper stranded in the process.

Even though Thackley had a number of chances throughout the game and could easily have earned a point on the occasion, the match would finish 2-0 to Bottesford Town, who dominated the game in most parts.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 0 V 2 Bottesford Town

Price’s side return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Retford United, where they look to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Whelan, McDaid, Washington, Basi, Figurny, Bartkiw, Kell, Stepniewski, King (Isbell 80’), Walker (Birley 94’).

Bottesford Town team: Musselwhite, Aynsley, Chaffer (Backhouse 96’), Prior (Douglas 81’), Bryant, Moore, Ture (Otu 95’), Matthews, Macmenemy, Dyer (Brown 65’), Varley (Borland 80’).

Bottesford Town scorers: Dyer (60’), Brown (92’)