Macron NCEL Premier Division- Saturday 7th November 2026- Kick Off 3.00pm

Match Report by Cayden Sands

A Slater Barnes hat trick and a further contribution from Ben Gelder condemned Thackley to a 4-0 loss away at Knaresborough Town.

In the opening minutes, the Dennyboys would start the game well as they looked lively and organised, whilst also testing the hosts’ backline early.

However, the promising opening would be undone after 11 minutes when former Dennyboy Barnes gave Knaresborough the lead following a Thackley corner, with this being cleared away before he raced forward on the counter, spotting Liam Wilson off his line in the process and also giving him an opportunity to beat the keeper with a chipped effort, something he did relatively easily to give Thackley a setback.

One goal became two just four minutes later when a corner was delivered into the box before an attempted Dennyboys clearance was stopped by Barnes, who wasted no time adding to his tally with a very well taken volley that made Thackley pay even more for their missed opportunities early in the game.

After going two behind, Thackley would manage to restore the game to a more even footing as they looked for a goal back, but the game would reach the half an hour mark before anything of note happened.

After 33 minutes and following a foul on Luke Brooks in an advantageous position, Lewis Sugden would almost get a goal back for Thackley with an excellently taken free kick that produced a strong save from Ed Hall for Knaresborough.

Another opportunity would follow shortly after when a cross turned effort from Paul Walker managed to curl into the box before another save from Hall, this time preventing the ball from reaching the bottom right of the goal.

After this quick spell of opportunities for the Dennyboys, the rest of the half would pass with very little of note as the hosts’ backline held firm against anything that Thackley were managing to throw at them.

After the game’s quietest period, the referee would bring the first half to its conclusion, leaving the Dennyboys with a big task for the second half ahead.

HALF TIME: Knaresborough Town 2-0 Thackley AFC

Just as the second half was getting underway, things would get worse for Thackley after 48 minutes when Gelder would extend the hosts’ lead after a through ball pierced the Dennyboys backline before the forward placed the ball past Wilson to put the game almost out of reach for Thackley.

Knaresborough would continue to have the better of the opportunities, with Thackley having very little in the way of their own chances.

This theme would continue past the game’s 60 minute mark, with the hosts capitalising on their dominance soon after.

On 64 minutes, Barnes would have his hat trick after a botched pass back from Dan McDaid sent the forward through on goal, giving him all the space and time he needed to beat Wilson and all but confirm what was turning into a dominant win for Knaresborough.

Shortly before this goal, Thackley introduced Joe Kell into the game, with this substitution being a bright spot as they hoped to try and salvage something from what had been a difficult game for the entire team.

Kell’s first contribution came after 68
minutes when following a set piece, the winger would receive a pass in the penalty area before setting up McDaid for a promising effort, but this would take a deflection that saw it land in the hands of Hall.

Soon after, Kell would really make the most of his dribbling prowess, beating several defenders on his way to the penalty area in a fantastic solo run before his powerful effort that followed produced a good save from Hall, denying the winger his first goal for the club.

After the excitement of Kell’s contributions, Knaresborough would enter their consolidation period of the game that saw the Dennyboys have some half chances scattered about, but ultimately they weren’t able to make the most of them.

This theme would continue for the rest of the game, with the referee’s whistle bringing to an end a miserable afternoon for the team in which their poor record against the hosts was sadly maintained.

As the fireworks around the ground signalled the beginning of another night of bonfire festivities, a lack of fireworks on the pitch would prove to be the story of the day for the Dennyboys, with them being beaten comfortably by a clinical Knaresborough side.

FULL TIME: Knaresborough Town 4-0 Thackley AFC

It’s another day on the road next for Thackley as they travel down to Horbury Town for their next NCEL Premier Division encounter.

Knaresborough Town team: Hall, Powis, Haase, Lazenby, Lenehan, Coates (Wildin 78’), Barnes (Hargreaves 65’), Leverett, Gelder (Hudson 70’), Dyche (McCormack 65’), Cartman (White 84’).

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Walters (Stepney 87’), McDaid, Washington, Basi, Sugden, Bartkiw (King 76’), Whelan (Eriamiator 46’), Ingham, Brooks (Clothier 49’), Walker (Kell 61’).

Knaresborough Town scorers: Barnes (11’, 15’, 64’), Gelder (48’).