Thackley AFC travel to the Dransfield Stadium tomorrow to face current league leaders, North Ferriby. "The Villagers" currently sit top of the NCEL Premier Division on 34 points after 15 games. Their record so far is an impressive 11 victories, 1 draw and 3 defeats in the league. Top scorers for our hosts so far are Danny Earl (7 league goals) Danny Buttle (6 league goals) and Joshua Whiteley (5 league goals). October 2022 saw North Ferriby have a mixed bag of results given their current position, with 4 wins and 3 defeats in 7 games throughout the month. The last 4 league games have seen defeats away at Albion Sports and at home to Maltby Main, as well as victories against Knaresborough Town and Penistone Church (both at home).

North Ferriby in the current format were founded in 2019, after the previous club North Ferriby United were wound up in March 2019 with their record in the 2018-2019 Northern Premier League Premier Division expunged. North Ferriby FC were established as the replacement and entered the Northern Counties East League for the 2019/2020 season. North Ferriby won promotion from NCEL Division One last season, beating Harrogate Railway 3-2 in a Play Off Final.

Thackley come into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat to Barton Town who are also flying high at the top of the Premier Division. Although absences to the playing squad no doubt played their part in the result, it was disappointing to come away with a heavy defeat especially given that opportunities were there to get back into the game around half time. A first half penalty was missed and an effort crashed against the Barton Town crossbar which would have given the Dennyboys the chance of a fightback.

Overall though recent form has been good, with 4 victories in the last 6 competitive games played (5 out of 7 if you count the mid-week "walkover" against Goole AFC to progress in the County Cup). Although tomorrow will no doubt be another tough fixture, Thackley will be more than hopeful of returning with a positive result if performances reach the recent high standards.

Manager Patrick McGuire will be hoping to have a number of his squad available again, with midfielders Steven Crawford (Captain) and Simon Poole both returning from suspensions, and Kris Hargreaves available again after missing last week. There are still a few of the squad carrying injuries though, and it remains to be seen whether further players will be back for selection.

Match details (taken from the NCEL Website) are below for any travelling supporters:

Ground: The Dransfield Stadium, Grange Lane, Church Road, North Ferriby, HU14 3AB

General Ground Directions:
From the West from Leeds toward Hull along M62 - A63 North Ferriby is approximately eight miles west of Hull. Leave A63 signposted North Ferriby via slip road. At roundabout, turn right (crossing over A63), turn left at next roundabout, pass through the traffic lights into North Ferriby. After the Duke of Cumberland public house, turn right at the crossroads onto Church Road, continue down past the church and Grange Lane is on the left. The ground is before the railway bridge.

Public Transport:
Ferriby ½ mile. Left out of station Station Road, right onto New Walk, right onto Church Road, left onto Grange Lane and bear right passing allotments to ground.
Public transport directions courtesy of Andy Edwards. Click here for more details.

Admission Price: Adults: £5, Concessions: £3, Under 12s: Free, Disabled and Carers: Free. Dogs allowed on a lead.
Capacity: 3000, Cover: 1200, Seats: 500