Thackley played host to top of the table and FA Vase Finalists Cleethorpes Town on Tuesday night. Games between the two sides have always been tight affairs but Cleethorpes have come out on top in four of the five games they have contested. Thackley would be looking to cement their fourth position in the league with a win following two successive defeats. Luke O’Brien returned after missing Saturday’s game, Mike Garrod moving back up front in his usual forward position.

Thackley were in this game for the first forty seconds or so, for within a minute of the kick off they found themselves a goal down from which they never recovered. It could be put down to poor defending and a certain amount of ill luck but it gave the away side a boost that they really did not need. It was Brody Robertson that got the goal firing in from the edge of the box from a partially cleared cross. It could have been worse a couple of minutes later when Craig Bentham got his foot to a cross and the ball hit the Thackley bar. Cleethorpes were well in control, they were slicker, faster and stronger than Thackley but gradually the home side were putting up more of a spirited performance. They won their first corner on twenty minutes before Paul Whiteley was booked. However, it did not last long and Cleethorpes increased their lead just before the half hour, Liam Davis getting clear of the defence before lashing the ball into the net. Dan Broadbent and Mike Garrod combined to test Liam Higton in a rare Thackley attack before the Owls got a third. A cross from Jon Oglesby was allowed to pass to Marc Cooper; he had the simplest of tasks in slotting the ball over the line. Three minutes later, Cleethorpes had scored a fourth, Jerry White upending Cooper in the box, Peter Winn converted the penalty. The nearest that Thackley came to getting on the score sheet was just before the break, Broadbent’s free kick rattling the crossbar. Cleethorpes took their deserved lead in at half time.

Half time: Thackley 0 Cleethorpes Town 4.

Thackley came out for the second half and tried to make a game of it. Garrod had a shot saved by Higton, whilst Ryan Farrell saw his shot go wide; the Dennyboys were at least getting some of the ball in this half. Kris Hargreaves came on for White. Sam Robinson should have done better following a free kick but found Higton from just a couple of yards out. A minute later Thackley reduced the arrears, Garrod latching onto Matthew Bloomer’s (aptly named in this instance) back header before prodding the ball past Higton. Matt Broadley replaced Robinson before Cleethorpes restored their four goal advantage. Cooper firing home after being put in the clear by Alex Flett. Garrod was replaced by Luke Robinson, there was no let up in the pace of the game. Substitute Andrew Taylor got the away side’s sixth goal just a minute after Thackley keeper Luke Wilson had denied him with a good reaction save. Wilson was then responsible for denying Cleethorpes a seventh goal coming out to save from Tim Lowe in the dying minutes. In the end it was a comprehensive victory for the away side.

Full time: Thackley 1 Cleethorpes Town 6.

Cleethorpes’ first half performance was the best seen at Dennyfield all season, their first minute goal obviously gave them the impetus to play well and they certainly did that. A similar performance at Wembley in May must give them a great chance to become FA Vase winners.
We, at Thackley, wish Cleethorpes well both at Wembley and after this result in the Evo-Stik next season.

For the first time this season Thackley suffered their third defeat in a row, after the campaign they have had it would be disappointing if they let things slip at this stage. A Saturday off, then it is Hemsworth next Tuesday night for the Dennyboy’s final home game of the season. Hopefully Thackley can reproduce some of their earlier season form.

Thackley team: Wilson; Bentham; O’Brien; McGuire (C); White (Hargreaves 60 mins); Snowden; Farrell; Whiteley; Garrod (Luke Robinson 78 mins); Broadbent; Sam Robinson (Broadley 70 mins). Subs not used: George Eustance; Adam Jones.

Cleethorpes Town team: Higton; Lowe; Winn; Dickens; Bloomer; Coleman; Davis; Flett (C); Cooper (King); Robertson (Taylor); Oglesby (Hutchinson). Subs not used: Kingston; Richardson.

Thackley scorer: Mike Garrod 63 mins.

Cleethorpes Town scorers: Brody Robertson 1min; Liam Davis 28 mins: Marc Cooper 32 and 70 mins; Peter Winn 35 mins (pen); Andrew Taylor 81 mins.

Attendance: 145.

Referee: Thomas Parsons.

Photo: Luke Wilson - The Terrace Saltaire - Thackley's Man of the Match.