Thackley’s opening day opponents, in this their forty third season in the Premier Division of the NCEL, were newly promoted Beverley Town. It would be the first ever league meeting between the two sides. Last season the two met in the League Cup and it was the Beavers who progressed to the next round. It looked likely to be a competitive start to this season’s campaign. Four close season signings were making their competitive debut for the club. Defender Lewis Gardner, midfield players, Lewis Sugden and Nathan Hunt and forward Tawheed Ahmed.

There was a couple of half chances for both sides in the opening fifteen minutes, the most threatening following a corner, when a Finn Donovan’s flick on was headed off of the line. Thackley were playing the ball out from the back and it was one such move that created their first goal. Liam Hudson started the move, a one two and he was clear on the right, his cross found Donovan at the far post, he converted via the bar. A defensive mix up between Hudson and Luke Wilson, left the Thackley keeper stranded but Danny Earl put the ball wide of the empty net. The away side did level the scores on thirty eight minutes. Matt Dempsey adjudged to have brought down McCauley Snelgrove just inside the box. Earl stepped up and sent Wilson the wrong way from the resultant spot kick. Dempsey picked up a yellow card for the challenge, Ben Grech-Brooksbank’s name was added a couple of minutes later for a late tackle on the half way line. Just before the break, Thackley went close to increasing their lead, Donovan cutting in from the left and firing off a shot which Tom Nicholson, in the Beverley goal, did well to push away. On the balance of play, Thackley had edged the first half.

Half time: Thackley 1 Beverley Town 1.

It was a pretty even opening to the second period, good runs from Tawheed Ahmed and Mark Everingham created a couple of half chances for Thackley. The away side had a good spell just before the hour and a goal line clearance from Hudson keep the scores level. However, a couple of minutes later, Thackley took the lead, with what can only be described as ‘a freak goal’. A Donovan ball forward, some how looped over Nicholson, who had strayed out of his goal, his attempt to get back to clear the ball resulted in him punching it into the net. Thackley made their first change, Josi Bradshaw replacing Nathan Hunt. A couple of minutes later, Thackley had the chance to go further ahead. Ahmed worked his way clear and got off a powerful shot but Nicholson came out to save well. Dempsey made way for Harry Parsons, as Beverley started to push forward and the game became a little scrappy as the away side looked for the equaliser. Bradshaw just failed to get on the end of an Everingham cross but most of the play was in the Thackley half. Jake Holcombe came on to make his Thackley debut. replacing Ahmed, before Wilson did well to smother the ball with just a couple of minutes of normal time remaining. The away side pushed every one forward but Thackley’s defending was resolute. Lewis Sugden made way for Adam Terrelonge-Jones late on and Nicholson saved from Bradshaw. At the final whistle, Thackley had secured an opening day win.

Full time: Thackley 2 Beverley Town 1.

Thackley just about deserved their win, their first half performance merited the three points. Beverley put them under a certain amount of pressure late in the game but Thackley defended well to earn the victory.

The win sets them up nicely for next week’s opening round of the FA Cup when Frickley Athletic will be the visitors to Dennyfield.

Thackley team: Wilson; Everingham; Gardner; Sugden (Terrelonge-Jones 89m); Dempsey (Parsons 68m); Hudson; Donovan; Mitchell; Grech-Brooksbank ©; Hunt (Bradshaw 61m); Ahmed (Holcombe 85m). Unused sub: Billy.

Beverley Town team: Nicholson; Taylor; Wilson; Harman; Plummer (Larkin); Piercy ©; Snelgrove (Southcote); Hill (Ofori); Chambers (Connelly); McFadyen; Earl. Unused sub: Dash.

Thackley scorer: Finn Donovon 18 and 58 mins.

Beverley Town scorer: Danny Earl 38 mins (pen).

Thackley’s MOM: Liam Hudson.

Attendance: 216

Referee: Luke Hood.