JCP Construction NCEL League Cup (In Memory of James Hitchcock)- Wednesday 21st October 2026- Kick Off 7.45pm

Match Report by Cayden Sands

A first half goal from Harry Day was enough to see Thackley bow out of the NCEL League Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Parkgate FC.

Thackley began the game well, but struggled to create opportunities, with an early corner being the only moment of any note.

The game’s first big opportunity came after 16 minutes when Josh Nodder had enough room to get an effort off, but this was tame and easily saved by Liam Wilson.

However, the visitors wouldn’t have to wait long to take the lead, doing so on 17 minutes when after some good footwork from George Jenkinson fooled the Thackley backline, Day was found in the right place at the right time to smash the ball past Wilson and into the net for the opening goal.

After going behind, Thackley would recover well and begin to properly test the Parkgate backline, with the best chance so far coming after 27 minutes when a chance from distance for Bobby Isbell looked to have the beating of Samuel Riches, but could only hit the bar before going out of play.

Isbell would be at it again after 32 minutes, this time finding the ball from a George Birley and Alex King linkup, with the latter’s cross from the right hand side of the goal being volleyed by Isbell, forcing a stop by Riches that prevented the leveller.

Only three minutes later, another linkup, this time by Sam Walters and Tom Whelan, saw the former find the latter with another good cross from the right hand side, allowing time for a first time effort from Whelan that whilst it showed promise, could only go over the bar and away.

As the Dennyboys struggled to find the target, Parkgate would almost capitalise after 37 minutes, with Day beating his marker to the left of the edge of the area before sending an effort at Wilson that tested the keeper, but would be well stopped.

This would be the last big opportunity of the half, allowing the rest of it to pass without any real moments of note.

The referee would bring a tightly contested half to a close with Parkgate narrowly leading, but with the Dennyboys showing promise in their search for a leveller.

HALF TIME: Thackley AFC 0-1 Parkgate FC

Thackley began the second half well and tested Parkgate early, with Birley seeing an effort from a corner just go over the bar for a goal kick after 51 minutes, whilst a Whelan and Kam Basi link up not long after produced some hope, but led to nothing.

Dan McDaid would also see an opportunity pass him on the hour mark, this being similar to others during the game that showed promise, but could only end up just over the bar.

There was almost a classic case of the ‘super sub’ after 67 minutes when following his introduction and return from injury, Ryan Conlon would get to a cross from King with his first touch of the game, this being a diving header, but he couldn’t quite get it in the right direction as it went wide of the mark.

Conlon on would make a further contribution shortly after, heading down a ball from Basi that was connected with by second half substitute Luke Brooks, seeing his first time effort go out for a corner that would come to nothing.

After this flurry of chances, the game’s tempo would significantly slow down as the visitors began to consolidate their lead, but couldn’t create any big opportunities of their own.

Jamie Price would then give an opportunity to fringe player Tidiane Diallo, who whilst looking lively on the wing and contributing to any half chances the team could create, was unable to find that spark as the game reached the last five minutes.

Thackley’s lack of bite at the front would almost cost them in the 89th minute when substitute Qur’an Raynor received the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area with enough time to have a go at goal, but this was easily saved by Wilson.

Added time would see the introduction of Jack Stepney and a late flurry of set pieces as Thackley hoped to take the game to penalties, but some resolute work at the back would prevent this, helping Parkgate get over the line and secure the victory.

The referee would bring the game to a conclusion with Parkgate as narrow victors as the Dennyboys suffered another early exit from the NCEL League Cup.

FULL TIME: Thackley AFC 0-1 Parkgate FC

Thackley return to the road on Saturday as they travel up to North Yorkshire to face Pickering Town in the league.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson, Walters, McDaid (Stepney 90+2’), Washington, Basi, Whelan, King (Diallo 79’), Figurny, Birley (Brooks 56’), Stepniewski, Isbell (Conlon 66’)

Parkgate FC team: Riches, Ardron, Goddard, Ridge (Moore 65’), Morton, Rudd, Day (Raynor 76’), Butchart (Spink 69), Nodder (Gregory 60’), McKernan, Jenkinson.

Parkgate FC scorer: Day (17’)