Thackley were convincingly beaten by a strong AFC Mansfield team that was dominant for long periods of the game and gave the home team little opportunity to create any meaningful chances. Thackley had to make four enforced changes to the team that won at Athersley, Paul Whiteley reverted to full back to replace Jordan Rouse and his place was taken in midfield by Declan Howe, Elliott Scott and Ben Joyce replaced the unavailable Kris Hargreaves and George Eustance.
The early period of the game was dominated by Mansfield and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 20 minutes. A ball chipped into the box by Williams was cleverly converted by Gary Bradshaw who beat Convey with an overhead kick. After half an hour Mansfield increased their lead with a penalty. Winger Giachem, who was proving a thorn in Elliott Scott’s side forged into the box and was impeded. Unusually goalkeeper Jason White stepped forward to take the resultant penalty and comprehensively beat Matt Convey. Thackley’s cause was not improved when Howe was sent off for a high tackle on Ryan Williams after forty two minutes. It was perhaps deserved but William’s histrionics by rolling over several times did not benefit Howe’s situation. After subjecting himself to several minutes’ attention he was able to continue soon after, unhindered by the consequences of the foul. Thackley had to regroup, Whiteley moved to midfield and Farrell was confined to a more defensive role on the right.
Half Time: Thackley 0 AFC Mansfield 2

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with Mansfield dominating proceedings. There were a couple of half chances for Broadbent and Joyce but the resolute Mansfield defence was able to deal effectively with Thackley’s efforts to create chances. Changes were made to improve proceedings, Bentham replacing Robinson and Brown coming on for Broadbent. Probably, inevitably, Thackley conceded a third goal on seventy minutes when they went to sleep from a corner and Plummer was able to dummy past McGuire and curl an impressive shot into the top corner of the Thackley goal. Mansfield were now completely dominant and saw out the remainder of the game without further threats to their goal.
Full Time: Thackley 0 AFC Mansfield 3

This was a disappointing result for the Dennyboys who didn’t really perform on the day. Mansfield were comfortable in possession and their wide players, in particular, caused problems all afternoon and their defenders snuffed out much of the home team’s attacking prowess.
Thackley team: Convey, Whiteley, Scott, McGuire, White (Foulds 77), Snowden, Farrell, Howe, Broadbent (Brown 72), Robinson (Bentham 58), Joyce.
Sub not used: Wilson
Referee; Richard Holmes