Staveley Miners Welfare were Thackley’s eleventh league visitors to Dennyfield, with the season just three months old, after this game, over half their home matches will have been completed. The Trojans had lost just one of their last nine games, so, although they were in the bottom half of the league, they were likely to prove tough opposition. Thackley made one change from the side that did so well on Tuesday night beating Handsworth, Josh Snowden was ill so Jerry White came in at the back.

It was a rather slow start from both teams, Staveley won a couple of corners early on and a long throw in which caused a few problems for the Thackley defence. However, on thirteen minutes, it was the home side that created the first real chance of the game. Pat McGuire played the ball into the box, Chris Wademan laid it back to Craig Bentham, Lewis Naylor came out of his goal quickly to block his shot. Bentham headed over from the resultant corner kick. Most of the play was in midfield, but the away side were breaking forward more than Thackley. On a couple of occasions Kurtis Morley broke down the right and was thwarted by both Matt Convey then Jerry White. Half an hour into the game Thackley lost their keeper, Convey dislocating his knee whilst coming to collect the ball from a corner. The game was held up for twenty minutes whilst he was being treated. He was stretchered from the field and taken to hospital. Luke Wilson replaced him in goal. Naylor did well with a low drive from Ben Joyce before the away side were awarded a penalty, White running into the back of Tyla Bell in the box. Adam Lee elected to take the kick but Wilson saved his shot with his legs. Neither side held onto the ball long enough to make the break through and the teams went into the break goalless.

Half time: Thackley 0 Staveley Miners Welfare 0.

Again defences were on top, Morley had another effort saved by Wilson and Wademan got clear but his shot was deflected for a corner but neither side were really creating any chances. White got a yellow card on the hour before Thackley made their first outfield substitution, Joe Brown replacing Clayton, Bentham moving into defence. Midway through the half, Thackley went close when McGuire’s free kick was just inches wide of the post. Thackley were showing a bit more enterprise in this half but playing no way as well as they had played in midweek. George Eustace tested Naylor after a Wademan pull back and White headed over from a corner but neither goal was being threatened. Ryan Farrell came on for Joyce late on to try to break the deadlock, however, the stalemate continued until referee Alex Gray called time on proceedings and both teams ended with no goals but at least had a point.

Thackley 0 Staveley Miners Welfare 0.

Goalless matches at Dennyfield are a rarity; it was last April when the last one occurred. This match looked like being one from early in the game, throughout which defences were on top. From a Thackley point of view it will be remembered for the bad injury to Matt Convey rather than the football on offer. We wish Matt a speedy recovery.

I would like to put on record Thackley’s most sincere thanks to the Staveley Physio, John Newell, he treated and stayed with Matt until the ambulance arrived.

No midweek fixture for the Dennyboys, next Saturday they travel to play the rampant Rainworth MW after their 5-0 trouncing of Worksop Town. Thackley will be looking for their second double of the season after beating them 3-1 at Dennyfield in September but it will not be easy.

Thackley team: Convey (Wilson 30 mins); Rouse; Clayton (Brown 65 mins); McGuire (C); White; Hargreaves; Joyce (Farrell 80 mins); Whiteley; Wademan; Bentham; Eustance. Subs not used: Scott; Broadbent.

Staveley Miners Welfare team: Naylor; Nelthorpe; Ellis; Rafferty; Hanson (C); Rawson; Morley; Getliff; Lee; Bell; Carty. Subs: Watson; Duffy; Oglesby; Robinson.

Attendance: 103.

Referee: Alex Gray.

Photo: Matt Convey sustained bad injury in match.