It was a first on Saturday as Thackley travelled to Birch Park to take on league leaders Bottesford Town. The two teams had never met before in any competition, the home side were favourites for this initial encounter, having won their opening three league games. Following last week’s easy victory against Retford, the Dennyboys had shared the points with Maltby in midweek; they would be looking to continue their short undefeated run. Thackley made a couple of changes, Kris Hargreaves was back from suspension after his dismissal at Newcastle Benfield and Dan Clayton started for the first time in place of the unavailable Joe Brown.

It was the home side that started the better, Thackley having to defend in numbers in the opening minutes. However, it was the Dennyboys that created the first real half chance of the game, Aohdan Brownlee just failing to get on the end of a Ryan Farrell cross. Bottesford were dominating proceedings and Matt Convey did well after Reece Newall was through with just the keeper to beat. The away defence were keeping the home side at bay, restricting them to long range efforts and unattended crosses. On twenty minutes, Thackley went close to opening the scoring, home keeper Leigh Herrick getting in the way of Dan Broadbent’s shot after Dan Clayton and Brownlee had set up the chance. Bottesford went close on the half hour when Josh Nichol got his head to a cross, the ball flying just wide of the upright. A couple of minutes later, a well worked Bottesford move ended with Garath Barlow’s low drive narrowly missing the post. However, for all their possession, the home side were not really creating any real chances; the Thackley defence were able to deal with most things in and around the box. At the break neither side had managed to score.

Half time: Bottesford Town 0 Thackley 0.

It was Thackley that started the second half the better, and created an opportunity after a couple of minutes, Craig Bentham getting his head to Clayton’s free kick, the ball going just wide of the post. Thackley were seeing much more of the ball in this half, as both teams looked to make the breakthrough. Chances were few but midway through the half the Thackley goal had a let off, substitute Josh Parry’s rising shot hitting the bar. At the other end, Herrick could only parry Broadbent’s low drive but no one was there to pick up the loose ball. Bentham picked up a yellow card for a trip before Thackley made a change, George Eustance coming on for Brownlee. The Dennyboys went in front after being awarded a penalty with fifteen minutes remaining. Barlow had tracked Farrell’s run into the box, but as the Thackley wide man cut inside, he bundled him over. Clayton gave Herrick no chance with the spot kick, despite the keeper’s gamesmanship prior to the kick being taken. The goal brought some impetus into the game, the home side pushed forward looking to get back on level terms. Herrick did well to push the ball from Clayton’s corner from under the bar back over and Broadbent went close with a header after Eustance did well out on the left. Parry had a good chance to level the scores but blasted the ball wide, then Farrell, who had been Thackley’s danger man throughout the second half, saw his low drive go narrowly wide. The game was now swinging from end to end; there was some frantic defending at the Thackley end, whilst the home side left gaps for Thackley to exploit. Farrell again cutting inside and bringing a good save from Herrick. Under some pressure in the dying minutes, the Thackley defence stood firm and when the referee blew for the final time, the away side’s goal had been kept intact.

Full time: Bottesford Town 0 Thackley 1.

An excellent three points from another battling performance, in the first half Thackley struggled somewhat but restricted the home side’s chances. In the second, they more than competed with their opponents, after the goal, the defence held up well to keep a clean sheet.

No midweek action for the Dennyboys, as they prepare for the visit of Albion Sports, now the only unbeaten team in the league, next Saturday. Spirits will be high for the local ‘derby’, both teams will not only be looking for points but for ‘Bradford bragging rights’.

Bottesford Town team: Herrick; Gibbons; Mathews; Ridley (C) (Parry); Donald; Barwick; Newall (Spall); Pembleton; Barlow; Nichol; Broughton (Graves). Subs not used: Robinson; Steeper.

Thackley team: Convey; Hargreaves; Scott; Bentham (C); White Snowden; Farrell; Jones; Broadbent; Clayton; Brownlee (Eustance 70 mins). Subs not used: Foulds; McFee.

Thackley scorer: Dan Clayton 73 mins (pen).

Attendance: 53.

Referee: Tom Bishop.

Photo: Ryan Farrell - won the penalty.