Macron NCEL Premier Division- Tuesday 13th October 2026- Kick Off: 7.45pm

Match Report by Cayden Sands

A first half goal from Reuben Bartkiw and George Birley’s first for the club confirmed Thackley’s first away win of the season in a 2-1 victory against Rossington Main.

The Dennyboys started the game well and were rewarded after five minutes when after receiving a short pass from Luke Brooks, Bartkiw was there to score with a low, first time effort under the legs of Charlie Noble, giving Thackley a deserved advantage after their promising start.

Things would get worse for Rossington after eight minutes when veteran star man Ross Hannah was taken off with a hamstring injury, losing the team a key outlet going forward in the process.

Despite this injury, the hosts refused to be downbeat, a point proven after 16 minutes when a promising first time volley from Mason Warren dipped up and over Liam Wilson, but luckily for the Thackley stopper, the effort just went over the bar and out of play.

The Dennyboys looked to extend their lead, something they almost managed after 23 minutes when Brooks set up Dan McDaid for a half volley on the edge of the area, but this could only go just wide of the mark.

Both sides would attempt to gain a better foothold on the match as the half progressed, with both back lines working hard to keep the opposing side at bay.

The 34th minute saw the Dennyboys begin to enjoy another positive period when a Paul Walker cross was headed into the path of Alex Washington, whose effort was saved by Noble, whilst just four minutes later, another Walker contribution this time set up Alfie King, whose effort was deflected away.

As half time approached and following a Lewis Sugden corner that was just headed wide by Kam Basi, the hosts received a lifeline in first half stoppage time when a foul from McDaid in the penalty area led to Rossington being awarded a penalty that was safely dispatched by Rob Guilfoyle, despite Wilson guessing the correct way, leaving the game level heading into half time.

The referee would bring the half to an end shortly following the penalty, setting up a very interesting second 45 minutes in the process.

HALF TIME: Rossington Main 1-1 Thackley AFC

Thackley began the second half well and almost restored their advantage in the 53rd minute when another corner from Sugden set up McDaid, whose header went narrowly over and out.

Rossington would almost capitalise not long after when Oliver Nowak managed an impressive run down the left hand side of the pitch, beating several men along the way, but the resulting efffort at goal failed to live up to the build up as Nowak could only send it wide of his far post, albeit from a reasonably difficult angle.

In the 59th minute, Rossington substitute Lucas McKie would make his first major contribution of the game, beating McDaid on the right wing with some good footwork before the resulting effort saw a last gasp deflection that ensured it landed safely in the hands of Wilson to keep Thackley’s lead intact.

Two chances in quick succession would then follow for Rossington when a 65th minute dink from Oliver Currie allowed Wilson to make the save, whilst Liam King saw a chance of his own shortly after, this time being a curled effort that could only land on the roof of the net.

The hosts would live to rue these missed opportunities when immediately after King’s curler, a long ball up the pitch led to an error at the back between Noble and his defender, setting up recently introduced substitute Birley to chase the ball and tap it into an open net to restore Thackley’s advantage at a crucial period of the game.

Even in going behind, the hosts weren’t going to be beaten easily, with McKie in particular looking promising in his mission to cause Thackley further problems going forward, but some good work at the back from the Dennyboys was enough to ensure the lead remained.

The Dennyboys had a chance to put the game to bed in the 87th minute after a powerful first time effort from new signing Sam Clothier looked destined for the back of the net, only to be deflected by the face of Adam Watson, leading to a substitution right at the end.

Another effort in stoppage time from Joe Kell also showed promise but was dealt with by Noble, although with the ball being at the right end of the pitch and with Rossington having very little time to create another chance, the referee would bring the game to an end not long after Kell’s change, confirming that the Dennyboys’ efforts would be enough to secure a vital three points.

FULL TIME: Rossington Main 1-2 Thackley AFC

Jamie Price’s side return to home comforts this Saturday as they welcome Golcar United to the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield.

Rossington Main team: Noble, Wainwright, Green, Watson (Phillipson 89’), King, Currie (Warne 73’), Warren, Mitchell (Wilson 73’), Guilfoyle, Hannah (McKie 8’), Nowak.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Walters, McDaid, Washington, Basi, Sugden (Figurny 80’), Bartkiw, Whelan, King (Birley 63’), Brooks (Clothier 64’), Walker (Kell 71’).

Rossington Main scorer: Guilfoyle (45+’)

Thackley AFC scorers: Bartkiw (5’), Birley (67’).