It was not only non league day on Saturday, but ‘derby day’ as Thackley entertained local rivals Albion Sports. Both sides had started the season reasonably well. The ‘Lions’ had won their first three matches but had lost in midweek to AFC Mansfield. Whilst the Dennyboys had put together a three match unbeaten run and were sixth in the table. Josh Snowden was unavailable which meant that Kris Hargreaves was moved into the centre of defence, Jordon Rouse coming in at full back. George Eustance started wide left and Aodhan Brownlee dropped to the bench. Declan Howe, signed from Harrogate Town was also included on the bench. The surface was very wet following persistent rain which had started in mid morning, there was to be no let up throughout the game.

It was Albion that started much the better, winning a number of corners in the opening minutes and very nearly getting an early goal, Matt Convey doing enough to prevent Lee Elam scoring as he came in from the left. The game was twelve minutes old before Thackley created their first chance, Ryan Farrell drilling the ball wide, following a Dan Clayton free kick. It was Albion that looked the more dangerous going forward, Elam testing Convey and then Danny Facey firing just wide across goal. Midway through the half it was the Dennyboys that nearly opened the scoring, the ever young Mark Bower was at full stretch to turn Farrell’s shot around the post, from the resultant corner, the away keeper twice made point blank saves to ensure the Albion goal remained intact. A couple of minutes later, it was the Lions that should have gone in front, Elliott Scott was adjudged to have brought down Omar Habeeb in the box. Facey took the spot kick and Convey, diving low to his right, pushed the ball away for a corner. The game was more even at this stage but it was Albion that took the lead following a quick break up field. Elam, who had tormented the Thackley defence to this point, crossed for Habeeb to turn in from close range. Clayton headed over when well placed from Farrell’s cross as Thackley battled to regain parity. Just before the break, Jerry White did well to prevent Facey shooting after the Albion striker had won the ball in the box. Albion took their single goal advantage into the break; no one could argue that it was not deserved.

Half time: Thackley 0 Albion Sports 1.

It was Thackley that created the first chance of the second half, George Eustance turning and firing narrowly wide. However, it was Convey that kept Thackley in the game a couple of minutes later, saving a header from point blank range, then getting down to turn a Facey shot wide. On the hour Convey again was the saviour before a bit of a melee developed on the edge of the Thackley box. The referee took five minutes to sort things out, before booking four players, Aran Basi and James Firth from Albion and Craig Bentham and Jerry White from the home side. Thackley made their first change, Ben Joyce replacing Clayton. Michael O’Brian’s long range effort went narrowly wide before the home side made a second change, Aodhan Brownlee coming on for Dan Broadbent. Jordan Rouse should have done better after getting his head to Kris Hargreaves’ cross but Bower saved easily. Declan Howe came on to make his Thackley debut late on as Thackley strived to pinch a point. Brownlee got on the end of a Eustance cross but his flick came to nothing before Bower fumbled the Thackley substitutes shot, Eustance nearly capitalised. Thackley tried to push forward in the dying minutes but the away defence held firm against this last rally and finished the game with a clean sheet.

Full time: Thackley 0 Albion Sports 1.

Albion deserved their victory, in fact, had it not been for Matt Convey in the Thackley goal the margin might have been greater. The Dennyboys play Parkgate on Tuesday night, the Steelmen have yet to pick up a point in the league, Thackley need a good performance before their trip to play Easington next Saturday.

Thackley team: Convey; Rouse; Scott; Bentham (C); White; Hargreaves; Farrell; Jones (Howe 85 mins);Broadbent (Joyce 63 mins): Clayton (Brownlee 70 mins); Eustance. Subs not used: Foulds; Wilson.

Albion Sports team: Bower; Khan; Carney; Jenkinson; Firth (C); Foley; O’Brian (Annor);A Basi; Facey; Habeeb (Soda); Elam (McKiernan. Subs not used: K Basi; Daley.

Albion Sports scorer: Omar Habeeb 33 mins.

Attendance: 144.

Referee: Andrew Smith.

Photo: The Terrace(Saltaire) 'Man of the Match' Matt Convey.