Thackley were back at Dennyfield after two away games as we faced Yorkshire Amateur on Saturday. The Ammers came into the game on the back of 15 straight defeats, but this sort of game is a potential banana skin if not approached in the right way. There was once again an unchanged starting XI with one change in the squad, Harry Parsons replacing Steven Crawford who departed for Campion AFC earlier in the week.

The first real chance came on 5 mins from a Chippendale free kick on the edge of the area which he hit on target but Ford in net for the visitors gathered. It was clear that the plan from the Ammers was to sit deep in a compact shape and try counter-attack when they could. On 18 mins, there was a big save from Wilson after Morgan was caught on the ball and Wilkinson was through. Wilson came out well to smother and save though.

On 22 mins, Thackley almost scored as Sinfield got down the left wing and his cut back found Greaves whose effort was cleared off the line. On 26 mins, more good work down the left found another cut back and this time Grech-Brooksbank got a shot away, but again the keeper saved. Thackley would take the lead a few minutes later. Chippendale delivered a dangerous corner in and Nicholson met it with a diving header to get his first Thackley goal. (1-0 – 28mins).

Up to this point, the game had been quite tense but this seemed to settle Thackley down who then started to dominate. On 32 mins another Chippendale corner was met by a Thackley header but Ford made a point blank save. On 34 mins, Chippendale battled to win the ball on the right wing and the ball dropped to Greaves central but he fired over. Greaves would have another chance on 37 mins, as he was played through and cut in but his shot into the bottom right corner was kept out by the toe of Ford stretching. It looked like it would be one of those days for Greaves, as on 45 mins he was through again but just could not find the finish. That was half time and Thackley led at the break, hoping that missed chances would not cost us in the second half.

Half time: Thackley AFC 1 v 0 Yorkshire Amateur

The second half got underway and there were no changes at the break. The first 10mins of the second half were a little bit scrappy, but a moment of quality would give Thackley the 2 goal cushion that they were looking for. Parker picked up the ball in the middle and from the left wing the ball was played through to Green making a forward run. He flicked the ball inside onto his right foot and hit an unstoppable shot into the near bottom corner to get his first Thackley goal. (2-0 – 56mins)

On 57 mins Parsons replaced Parker in the centre of midfield. Following this were a few stoppages for some injuries and subs for the visitors. On 70 mins, Greaves hit the post from a header at the near post following a Chippendale cross. On 72 mins, Attakorah and Haigh replaced Chippendale and Morgan. Attakorah was involved straight away as he burst down the right wing, but his cut back just couldn’t be tapped in by either Grech-Brooksbank or Greaves who were arriving. Thackley made the final two changes on 77 mins as Basi and Hargreaves replaced Everingham and Grech-Brooksbank. On 79 mins Thackley got their 3rd goal of the afternoon and Nicholson got his 2nd. A Green corner was delivered and after the initial effort was blocked, Nicholson was there to finish from close range. (3-0 – 79mins)

Greaves would finally get his goal in the 85th minute as well. The ball worked its way to Sinfield on the left wing. He beat his man and the ball was cut back to Attakorah, who hit a shot which deflected to Greaves on the right side of the box. He steadied himself and fired into the roof of the net to give Thackley a 4 goal lead. (4-0 – 85mins)

The final moments of the game were seen out with Thackley keeping the ball and soaking up any Ammers pressure trying to get a goal back.

Full time: Thackley AFC 4 v 0 Yorkshire Amateur

Three points, four goals and a clean sheet can be seen as a good afternoon’s work whoever the opposition is. After getting the first goal Thackley took charge of the game and were in the end comfortable winners on the day.

Next up we have a long trip to Winterton Rangers to face the in form team in the division on Saturday 4 March 2023 (3pm KO). A coach will be available for any supporters wishing to travel to the game, and you can contact Eddie on 07961 555 044 to secure your place.

Thackley AFC team: Wilson; Everingham (Basi 77 mins); McCready; Parker(Parsons 57 mins); Morgan (Haigh 72 mins); Nicholson; Sinfield; Green; Greaves; Grech-Brooksbank© (Hargreaves 77 mins); Chippendale (Attakorah 72 mins). Unused subs: None.

Yorkshire Amateur team: Ford; Quartey; Birama; Gibbon; Morton; Fox; Drovi; Conde; Mitchell©; Wilkinson; Stewart. Subs: Frimpong; Batley; Bedford; Effah.

Thackley AFC Scorers: Nicholson (28min, 79min); Green (56min); Greaves (85min)
Yorkshire Amateur Scorers: None

Attendance: 185

Man of the Match: George Green, picked by Match Sponsor Chris Wright Baildon Limited