Thackley were back in league action in a first competitive game under the new Interim Management Team of Tom Greaves, Harley Hirst, Kris Hargreaves and Aidan Chippendale, following the departure of Patrick McGuire from the Club prior to Christmas. A friendly match had seen a 2-1 away victory against Steeton AFC, but the task on a cold, wet and windy day in Bradford was local rivals Eccleshill United in a derby match.

There were decisions to be made for the “new faces” in the dugout, as Tom Greaves and Steven Crawford were both unavailable for the fixture. Additionally, Luke Wilson pulled up in the warm up and despite being named on the team sheet was replaced 15 mins before kick off by Reserve Team goal keeper, Callum Bradbury. Thackley AFC lined up in a slightly different formation than had been seen recently. Included in the Starting XI were Lewis Morgan at centre back, a midfield of Simon Poole and Joe Mitchell with wingers Aidan Chippendale and Prince Attakorah supporting an attack of Ben Grech-Brooksbank and Frankie Sinfield. Declan Parker lined up at right back alongside Kieran Haigh, with Kris Hargreaves at left back. There was also a strong bench which featured Murphy, Waddington, Allison, Bell and new signing Ben McCready.

It was a fast start by the Thackley team who were looking to pick up a first league victory since 8 October. On 3 mins, Simon Poole won the ball high up the pitch and was fouled. Chippendale stepped up to take the free kick which Haigh headed against the post, before an offside flag went up. On 8 mins Chippendale had another effort from the free kick which was saved by the home keeper. On 16 mins, Eccleshill United had their first real effort on goal with a shot from range which was wide of the Thackley goal. Attakorah had started the game well and was causing real problems to the Eccleshill United full backs with his tracking back and attacking runs, and he won another free kick wide on the left on 25 mins. Chippendale delivered another cross in which was headed away. Parker following up on the edge of the area hit a good strike through the crowded box low which went just wide of the Eccleshill United post. On 29 mins, Sinfield was played in down the left wing and he skipped past the centre back Gordon to get to the byline. He delayed his cross to allow the red shirts to arrive and when it did, an Eccleshill United defender managed to poke it just away from the arriving Grech-Brooksbank who would have had a tap in before the ball was cleared.

On 30 mins Sinfield would break away through the middle again and was one on one with Wilczynski in the Eccleshill United net, but a final heavy touch allowed the keeper to come off his line to smother. The ball was recycled into the box by Attakorah who crossed, and Chippendale controlled and poked the ball past the keeper who had come out again. It looked to be trickling into the far corner before it just went wide of the post at the last moment. On 33 mins, Moke for Eccleshill United received a yellow card for a kick / shirt pull as Chippendale was entering the box. The short free kick routine almost back fired though as the hosts cleared the danger and broke. Attakorah heading away a first long ball before the offside flag went up on the second attempted through ball. It was a reminder that despite starting to dominate the game Thackley still needed to be defensively switched on. On 37 mins Grech-Brooksbank picked up a yellow card for a late lunge in retaliation after he felt he had been fouled and did not get a free kick, and on 43 mins Mitchell also picked up a yellow card after mis-timing a tackle in the centre circle. There was some late Eccleshill United pressure in the half including a looping header which bounced off of the top of the Thackley cross bar and out.

It had been a good first half by the Dennyboys in a half which was probably edged by Thackley in terms of chances created, but it was 0-0 at the break. Despite there being no goals, the team looked very organised defensively and had limited Eccleshill United to only a few chances which had been an improvement from recent weeks.

Half time: Eccleshill United 0 v 0 Thackley AFC

On 48 mins Chippendale did well to get clear despite being fouled by Bodle on the half way line, but his through ball was slightly too late for Grech-Brooksbank who was offside. Bodle for the hosts who committed the foul could not continue though and he was replaced. On 50 mins, Bradbury pulled off a fine save as the blue shirts attacked down the right and the attacker got free in the box. Bradbury narrowed the angle and tipped the ball around the post for a corner. On 52 mins, Chippendale found space at the back post and his shot took a deflection and spun just over the cross bar. On 54 mins, Attakorah had the ball in the net after a great through ball from Grech-Brooksbank, but the offside flag went up in what looked like a tight decision. On 57 mins, Thackley nearly scored again as Grech-Brooksbank turned well on the left side of the box and got a shot in, which deflected to Chippendale at the back post. He shot with his right foot which hit the defender who had got back on the line and it went out for a corner. There were some appeals for a penalty for handball, but the defender appeared to have his arms by his side.

On 60 mins, Thackley did get the goal which the performance had deserved. Mitchell picked up the ball in the middle of the park and he played a long pass to Grech-Brooksbank who had peeled off the centre half. He plucked the ball out of the sky, pushed the ball out of his feet and hit an unstoppable shot into the bottom left corner of the goal from the edge of the area. 0-1 (60mins).

On 64 mins, Sinfield showed great feet to get clear on the edge of the box to beat his man but his shot was blocked by a last minute slide from a defender. Eccleshill United then countered and had a deflected shot of their own, before Hargreaves picked up a yellow card on 68 mins for a late tackle in the left back position as the blue shirts looked to break. On 69 mins, Thackley had further chances to extend the lead. Sinfield again broke through the middle and had just the keeper to beat, but Wilczynski made a fantastic stop. A few moments later and Chippendale tried to lob the keeper from just outside the centre circle, but Wilczynski just got his finger tips to the ball to take the pace off and he jogged back to pick up the ball as it rolled towards the net. On 70 mins, Bell replaced Morgan in the heart of defence. On 78 mins, Thackley were reliant on Bradbury to make a save as Eccleshill United countered and got free down the left wing, but Bradbury stood up and caught the effort easily. A cross was then tipped behind for a corner before Poole picked up a yellow card for a foul.

On 79 mins, Sinfield again got through one on one but again was thwarted by Wilczynski in the home goal. Thackley then applied pressure through a combination of corners / shots, which were ultimately cleared. On 81 mins, Waddington replaced the goal scorer Grech-Brooksbank. On 87 mins, Chippendale was played down the right wing by Sinfield. He cut inside and shot but Wilczynski got down and saved. On 88 mins, Thackley were awarded a penalty. Sinfield had the ball on the left wing, he faced up his man and nutmegged him before entering the box before Whelan on as sub for Eccleshill United bundled into the back of him and the referee pointed to the spot. Chippendale stepped up and hit an effort to the bottom left corner but Wilczynski guessed right and saved.

It would not be costly though, as Waddington won the loose ball back on the edge of the area and was fouled. Chippendale stepped up and hit a good shot on target to the bottom left corner, which Wilczynski again saved but he could only push the ball to Haigh, who crossed back to Waddington who was 6 yards out central with an open goal and could make no mistake to give Thackley a 2-0 lead away at the Mitton Group Stadium. 0-2 (90mins).

There were a couple of late subs as Murphy replaced Sinfield and Allison replaced Attakorah in stoppage time, both forward players whom had had great games and pinned the full backs all afternoon.

Full time: Eccleshill United 0 v 2 Thackley AFC

A much-improved performance and a thoroughly deserved win. Had it not been for Wilczynski in the home net, the margin of victory could have been greater but nonetheless it was an important three points and a first clean sheet in the league both since 8 October. All credit must go to the players and new management team, who have not had much time due to the poor weather and Christmas break to get on the training pitch, for implementing a change of personnel and formation to such good effect in not very much time. Hopefully the victory will prove to be a springboard as we move into a busy January fixture list with some tough games ahead.

A final mention to the fantastic Thackley supporters who attended the match in difficult weather conditions and who cheered the lads on throughout, which was greatly appreciated by the team and the Club.

Eccleshill United team: Wilczynski; Aliya; Bodle; Cox; Durkin; Gordon©; Oliveria Neves; Moke; Sidaway; Fialdini; Sykes. Subs: Whelan; Silva; Crook; Cooper; N’Dombasi.

Thackley team: Bradbury; Parker; Hargreaves©; Mitchell; Morgan (Bell 70mins); Haigh; Attakorah (Allison 90mins); Poole; Sinfield (Murphy 90mins); Grech-Brooksbank (Waddington 81mins); Chippendale. Unused subs: McCready

Thackley AFC Scorers: Grech-Brooksbank (60mins); Waddington (90mins)

Attendance: 348