Their first game of 2017 and their 1301st in the Premier Division of the NCEL saw Thackley travel to Clipstone looking for all three points to continue their push for promotion. Games between the Cobras and Thackley are usually tight affairs and this game was expected to follow that trend. Hemsworth had ended the Dennyboy’s ten match unbeaten run in the league; a reaction to that result was needed. Jerry White was unavailable due to suspension, Craig Bentham dropped into central defence. The bench included new signing Lamin Jennah and the returning Mike Garrod after being out injured for more than a year.

It was a fast and furious, end to end first ten minutes or so, both sides looking for the opening goal. Jamie Bailey mishandled Ryan Farrell’s cross, Dan Broadbent nearly capitalised, Ellis Wall got clear but put the ball wide, Luke Wilson did well with Joe Austin’s long range effort and George Eustance put his shot wide following a corner. It was the away side that drew first blood just before the quarter hour, Farrell beat his defender wide on the right before pulling the ball back to Broadbent, his fierce drive was good enough to beat Bailey. The home side’s reaction to the goal was to push forward and they started to control the game. Thackley were finding it difficult to get hold of the ball and most of the play was in the away side's half. Wilson was called on to make saves on numerous occasion, one from Adam Shepherd midway through the half kept the scores level. The Thackley defenders were working overtime and twice Nathan Forbes had chances to even things up. It was not to be and the Dennyboys took their rather precarious one goal lead in at the break.

Half time: Clipstone 0 Thackley 1.

Paul Clayton’s half time talk obviously got some reaction, for the Dennyboys started the second half the better. Eustance had a cross in front of goal that just wanted a touch before Farrell was guilty of missing a golden opportunity to put Thackley two in front, failing, from just a yard out, to get enough on Broadbent’s cross. Wilson kept Thackley in front with an excellent save from Keir Harrity before the home side drew level from the penalty spot. Substitute, Steve McDonnell went over in the box following a Bentham challenge, Andy Fox converted. Thackley went close to restoring their lead almost immediately, it followed some good interplay between Joe Brown and Broadbent, Farrell got to the latter’s cross but his shot lacked power. Brown picked up a yellow card before making way for Mike Garrod to make his seasonal debut. Thackley were now on the offensive, Luke O’Brien had a well struck shot deflected inches wide before a Pat McGuire effort just cleared the bar. With thirteen minutes of normal time remaining, Thackley were back in front, Eustance firing home following a corner that was only partially cleared. Lamin Janneh replaced Eustance soon afterwards to make his Thackley debut. Bailey did well to push Broadbent’s header over following a McGuire free kick in the dying minutes. At the whistle, Thackley had completed their fifth double and ninth away win of the season.

Full time: Clipstone 1 Thackley 2.

As expected, this was another tight game against the Cobras; Thackley took the lead early on and did well to hold onto it until the break. The Dennyboys were much better in the second half and after losing their lead, fought back to make sure they returned with all three points, maintaining third place in the league.

With no midweek action, Thackley entertain top of the table Cleethorpes Town at Dennyfield next Saturday. The Owls beat Thackley with a late Marc Cooper goal early in the season; they are ten points ahead of the Dennyboys in the table and are the NCEL’s only representatives left in this season’s FA Vase. No small task then to get a result from this game.

Clipstone team: Bailey; Shepherd; Paling; Austin (McDonnell); Joynson; Patterson (C); Wall (Forster); Harrity; Joynes; Fox; Forbes (Miller). Subs not used: Ashmore; Brissett.

Thackley team: Wilson; Hargreaves; O’Brien; McGuire (C); Bentham; Snowden; Farrell; Whiteley; Broadbent; Brown (Garrod 70 mins); Eustance (Janneh 80 mins). Sub not used: Joyce.

Clipstone scorer: Andy Fox 65 mins (pen).

Thackley scorers: Dan Broadbent 13 mins; George Eustance 77 mins.

Attendance: 75.

Referee: David Jones.

Photo: George Eustance - scored Thackley's winner.