Thackley played host to Garforth Town on Saturday in their final home game of the year. The Miners were currently in mid table and would be looking to stop Thackley from completing their fourth double of the season. Thackley were on a nine league match unbeaten run, but they had faltered slightly recently, drawing and failing to score in their last two games. They would be looking for three points from this game in the hope of closing the ten point gap that had opened up between themselves and Cleethorpes Town. It was the same eleven that started last week at Parkgate that took to the field in this game.

It was a pretty even first quarter of an hour, the play restricted to the mid field area. Thackley created the first real chance of the game on sixteen minutes, Ryan Woodhead preventing the away side from going behind when he cleared Kris Hargreaves’ header off of the line following a corner. Thackley were now monopolising possession, the midfield trio of Pat McGuire, Craig Bentham and Paul Whiteley were well in control. Garforth had a penalty shout turned down midway through the half, Mark Simpson going down much too easily as Josh Snowden challenged. Twice George Eustance went close before Thackley took the lead just after the half hour. It stemmed from a quickly taken throw in, Ryan Farrell crossed and McGuire forced the ball over the line at the far post. It was a goal that looked likely to come but could have been cancelled out a couple of minutes later, a mix up between Luke O’Brien and Luke Wilson gave Simpson the opportunity to shoot but it was straight at the home keeper. Just before the break, Bentham set up Hargreaves, away keeper Paul Hagreen did well to push his shot over, before Farrell put the ball wide from the edge of the box. The Dennyboys were well worth their half time lead.

Half time: Thackley 1 Garforth Town 0.

A mix up between keeper and defender saw the ball fall to Farrell, he put it back into the box and Bentham headed past Hagreen, Thackley were two up within a minute of the restart. Joe Brown got clear moments later but his shot cleared the bar, it was looking comfortable for the Dennyboys. Thackley were well in control, they were creating half chances, whilst Garforth were unable to set up any sort of threat to the home goal. Chris Wademan replaced Brown midway through the half and was one of the players that worked the ball into the box for McGuire to notch for the second time. Dan Broadbent and Declan Howe came on for Eustance and Bentham, to further frustrate the away side; they had picked up three second half bookings for niggly fouls. Before the end, Farrell headed straight into Hagreen’s hands from an O’Brien cross and the same player saw his goal bound effort cleared off of the line late on. In the dying minutes McGuire had the chance to get his hat trick but his shot was high and wide, I suppose he was more than satisfied to settle for two.

Full time: Thackley 3 Garforth Town 0.

Thackley fully deserved this victory, after a pretty even opening the Dennyboys took control, scoring three good goals and keeping another clean sheet. With Cleethorpes dropping three points at Bridlington, Thackley have closed the gap at the top to seven.

On Tuesday night Thackley travel to Hemsworth Miners Welfare for the rearranged Boxing Day match. The Dennyboys should be full of confidence and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run.

Thackley team: Wilson; Hargreaves; O’ Brien; McGuire (C); White; Snowden; Farrell; Whiteley; Brown (Wademan 65 mins); Bentham (Howe 76 mins); Eustance (Broadbent 69 mins). Subs not used: Joyce; Scott.

Garforth Town: Hagreen; Leach; Kitson (Allsop); Beaston (C) (McMurragh); Donaghue; McCrum; Woodhead; Rose; Simpson (Dhesi); Hamilton; Turner. Sub not used: Poole.

Thackley scorers: Pat McGuire 34 and 69 mins; Craig Bentham 46 mins.

Attendance: 108.

Referee: Lee Hible.

Photo: Thackley's skipper Pat McGuire being presented with The Terrace (Saltaire) MOM by Club Chairman Phil Woollias.

The numbers:
1299 Premier League matches in the NCEL.
2093 Goals in those matches.
10 Clean sheets this season.
10 League games unbeaten.
3-0 Saturday's score