Tuesday night brought Pickering Town to Dennyfield for Thackley’s thirteenth match of the season. Both teams were on unbeaten runs, Thackley had gone five, whilst it had been eight games since the Pikes tasted defeat. Paul Whiteley started for the first time this season and there were places for both Kris Hargreaves and George Eustance who were unavailable for Saturday’s victory over Harrogate Railway. Max Thirlwall, signed recently from Brighouse Town, was set to make his debut from the bench.

It was obvious from the start that Thackley were in for a hectic night, not only were the opening minutes fast and furious but most of the action was played out in the home half. It took just four minutes for the Pikes to create their first chance, Ryan Blott deflecting Russell Parker’s cross onto the bar. Matt Convey made the first of a number of good saves on eleven minutes following a soft free kick, Pickering were having most of the possession. Thackley’s first real threat on goal came midway through the half, Ryan Farrell turned before firing across goal, the ball going narrowly wide. Convey then did well to pluck the ball from the feet of Ryan Cooper before Pickering took the lead. The goal stemmed from a corner that was only partially cleared, Cooper knocked the ball back into the box and Matty Turnball headed wide of Convey. Thackley had a battle on their hands; the away side were certainly looking to add to their tally. When the referee ended the first half Thackley were just the one goal behind and still in the game.

Half time: Thackley 0 Pickering Town 1.

It seemed a little easier for the Dennyboys at the start of the second half and they went close following a corner, Stuart Ingram clearing off the line. Thackley looked quite dangerous from set pieces and won a number of corners as they tried to get back on level terms. However, it fell to Convey to keep them in the game when Blott fired in a shot on the hour, the Thackley keeper making another fine save. Thackley made a couple of changes, Tom Robinson replacing Broadbent and Max Thirlwall coming on for Farrell. Pickering went further ahead on seventy seven minutes, Nathan Kamara chased a ball hit over the defence, Convey came out of his area to head clear but the ball deflected off of the attacker and fell into his path, he had a simple tap in. The Dennyboys continued to battle and Robinson tested Toby Wells with a shot that the away keeper managed to push over the bar. Wells got down to parry a Thirlwall shot but recovered before any Thackley player could pounce. In time added on the Dennyboys could have got a consolation goal, Robinson getting clear with just Wells to beat but he put the ball wide. The Pickering defence, which had only conceded three goals in the league prior to this match, stood firm and their unbeaten run continues.

Full time: Thackley 0 Pickering Town 2.

Pickering were too strong for Thackley on the night, the Dennyboys battled throughout the match but gave the ball away to a side that were able to capitalise on these lapses. I suspect that the Pikes will be finishing near the top of the table come April.

Thackley travel to Athersley Recreation on Saturday, they will be hoping to get back to winning ways but it will be no mean feat to get a result at Ollerton Road.

Thackley team: Convey; Whiteley; Hargreaves; McGuire (C); White; Snowden; Farrell (Thirlwall 65 mins); Howe; Broadbent (Robinson 63 mins); Joyce; Eustance; Subs not used: Scott; Foulds; Wilson.

Pickering Town team: Wells; Parker; Danby; Chipps; Turnbull; Tilsley (C); Thompson; Cooper; Blott (Taylor); Kamara (Dalton); Robinson (Ingram).

Pickering Town scorers: Matty Turnbull 37 mins; Nathan Kamara 77 mins.

Attendance: 123.

Referee: Matt Sowerby.

Photo: The Terrace (Saltaire) Man of the Match – Paul Whiteley.