Thackley travelled to Mill Lane on Saturday to take on second in the table Pickering Town, it was a must win game for both clubs to ensure that the gap between either club and top of the table Cleethorpes Town did not widen. The two teams had the two best defensive records in the league, Pickering had conceded just twenty goals so far this season, whilst Thackley had let in twenty four. The Dennyboys were without George Eustance and Kris Hargreaves, Mike Garrod was making his first start of the season after injury and new signing Ryan Motley-Henry was on the bench. The Mill Lane pitch looked well; all the signs were there for a good competitive game.

The Dennyboys were on the back foot after just two minutes, a corner from the right was hit long, George Bissett got his head to the ball, Josh Snowden could only help it into the net. The early goal was a boost for the home side and they began to knock the ball about. However, the Thackley defence were restricting them to long range efforts. Chances were few; Luke O’Brien and Pat McGuire had speculative shots saved by home keeper Toby Wells. Just before the half hour Ryan Blott saw his well struck effort deflected for a corner. From the kick Thackley made a quick break up field, Joe Brown’s shot across goal was pushed away for Thackley’s first corner of the game. Craig Bentham somehow put a dangerously looking cross from the right over his own bar from just a couple of yards out to thwart the Pikes soon afterwards but most of the play was restricted to mid field. Just before the break Pickering were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, Nick Thompson got his head to the cross and the ball went narrowly wide. The Pikes took their one goal advantage in at half time, Thackley needed to up their game if they wanted to get anything from this match.

Half time: Pickering Town 1 Thackley 0.

In the opening minutes of the half, Lewis Taylor brought a good save from Thackley keeper Luke Wilson, turning and hitting the ball from just outside the box before Dan Broadbent saw his shot go narrowly wide following a quick throw in. Wilson did well to save from Joe Danby before Thackley got the equaliser. This came from a corner, McGuire’s cross finding its way to the far post, Mike Garrod slotted in from close range to notch his first goal of the season. The elation was short lived, for three minutes later Thackley were reduced to ten men, Brown adjudged to have jumped in at a challenge and was shown a straight red. The Dennyboys now had a fight on their hands and they definitely rose to the challenge. It was they that started to control things and looked the more likely to score. The hard working Broadbent made way for Lamin Janneh. Ryan Farrell and Garrod had long range efforts saved by Wells as Thackley looked to bag all three points. Wilson, whose handling had been superb all afternoon, kept the home side at bay Dan Clayton replaced a very tired Garrod. Pickering had chances as Thackley pushed forward, twice Danby had shots go narrowly wide and Wilson came out to nullify a number of dangerous looking crosses. McGuire picked up a yellow card as Thackley battled for that all important winning goal. The chance came as the game went into time added on, Jennah did well to win the ball, he fed it to Farrell and with just Wells to beat, his shot cleared the bar. Farrell had a much harder chance moments later but Wells got down to save. The game finished all square, probably a fair result but being biased; I believe Thackley deserved more than a point for their battling second half performance.

Full time: Pickering Town 1 Thackley 1.

It was an entertaining game, exciting to the end; both sides could argue that it was they that should have had all three points. Pickering took the first half, Thackley the second, showing great determination when reduced to ten men. The result did no favours to either team, with Cleethorpes winning at Parkgate, they increased their lead at the top of the table.

Next up for Thackley is Bottesford Town next Saturday at Dennyfield. Thackley beat the ‘Poachers’ with a Dan Clayton penalty in August, they will be looking to complete their sixth double of the season.

Pickering Town team: Wells; Cooper; Danby; Chipps; Bissett; Tilsley (C); Thompson; Taylor (Hurst); Blott; Ingram; Robinson (Dalton). Subs not used: O Marshall: C Marshall.

Thackley team: Wilson; Bentham; O’Brien; McGuire (C); White; Snowden; Farrell; Whiteley; Broadbent (Janneh 70 mins); Brown; Garrod (Clayton 78 mins). Subs not used: Joyce; Motley-Henry.

Pickering Town scorer: George Bissett 2 mins.

Thackley scorer: Mike Garrod 57 mins.

Attendance: 153.

Referee: John Matthews.

Photo: Thackley keeper Luke Wilson - handling was good all afternoon.