Thackley made the journey to Worksop Town on Tuesday night, to tackle a team that were fourth in the league and had moved down two divisions in the close season because of financial difficulties. With Ryan Farrell and Matt Bilney unavailable, Jerry White and Aohden Brownlee were drafted into the starting eleven. It was a dank night but the Worksop pitch looked in really good condition. Travel difficulties getting to the ground had restricted the warm up period for the Thackley players.

Due to travel difficulties the team was only given a few minutes (three Players less than five) to warm up, and this had disastrous consequences, because the Dennyboys found themselves a goal behind on three minutes. A long ball up field fell at the feet of Conor Sellars, his cross was knocked in at the far post by Jonathan Wafula. It was the worst possible start, but Thackley hit back with a long range effort from James Sutcliffe that brought a save from home keeper, Jonathan Stewart. However, it was Worksop that looked the more dangerous going forward, playing the ball from the back and stretching the away defence with their two wide men. Thackley keeper, Ed Hall, stopped a Conor Higginson shot and Sam Cook blocked a Sellars effort. On fifteen minutes, the Dennyboys created their first chance, an Aohden Brownlee cross found Redmond Lee at the far post but the ball got caught in his legs and the chance was gone. Cook received the first booking of the night, Sellars fired over from the free kick. Hall made a good save from a Higginson shot, pushing the ball for a corner before Conor Smythe was the second player to go into the referee’s note book. Sellars and Jack Hawkins, in the home side’s mid field, were dictating affairs and were at the heart of most things going forward. Kris Hargreaves headed over following a Pat McGuire free kick as Thackley looked to get back into the game. But, it was Hall that came to Thackley’s rescue late in the half, Sellars went on a good run that culminated with a shot as he entered the box, the Thackley stopper was equal to it and pushed the ball over. At the break Thackley had kept the deficit to one goal.
Half Time: Worksop Town 1 Thackley 0.

Thackley needed a solid start in the second half but were undone after six minutes, with a goal that had a certain amount of luck about it. It followed a corner on the left, the ball bobbed about in the box, a defender got a boot to it but it was blocked by Sam Liversedge and rebounded into the net. The Dennyboys still had their heads up and McGuire fired over from just outside the box, and then Ben Clayton headed wide. Wafulka was booked for a blatant dive, which resulted in a minor skirmish before Worksop increased their lead just after the hour with a well worked goal. A move up field involving a number of players resulted in the ball being knocked back to Higginson; his volley from the edge of the box gave Hall no chance to save. Twice in quick succession Hall saved well to ensure Thackley did not fall further behind. With twenty minutes to go, Thackley made a triple substitution. The Dennyboys were battling well and Worksop were not having everything their own way, substitute Tom Dugdale tested Stewart, before Kyle Jordan, he had replaced Mitcham Husbands; hit the post for the home side. A Jordan screamer just cleared the bar; he then placed the ball narrowly wide from a Wafula pull back. Thackley got a late consolation goal when Dugdale turned on the edge of the box, his well struck drive beat Stewart. The referee blew for time shortly afterwards.
Full time: Worksop Town 3 Thackley 1.

There was no doubt that Thackley were second best on the night, the referee’s decision to start the match on time, no matter how late players arrived, was not helpful.With just a few minutes to prepare for the match, Thackley were caught cold and conceded an early goal. In the match itself, Thackley battled well against a side that played some good football, especially going forward.

An away day at the seaside on Saturday, as Thackley make the trip to the East Coast to take on Bridlington Town. It is likely to be another tough game; it is always difficult to wrestle points away from Queensgate.

Worksop Town team: Stewart; Wafula; Waddle; Pursehouse (C); Liversedge; Smythe; Sellars (Whincop); Hawkins; Husbands (Jordan); Higginson (Booth); Elliott. Subs not used: Shillito; Shaw.

Thackley team: Hall; Sutcliffe; White (Holmes 70 mins); McGuire (C); Cook; Hargreaves; Lee (Evison 70 mins); Whiteley; Garrod (Dugdale 70 mins); Brownlee; Clayton.

Worksop Town scorers: Jonathan Wafula 3 mins; Sam Liversedge 51 mins; Conor Higginson 62 mins.

Thackley scorer: Tom Dugdale 90 mins
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Attendance : 247.

Referee: D Plowright.