Thackley entertained Retford United at Dennyfield on Saturday in a rearranged game as both had exited the FA Cup in the opening round on the first day of the season. The Badgers had not won in the three competitive games they had played thus far. Last week although scoring four goals, they were beaten by Rainworth in a ten goal thriller. Thackley had managed one win in their first three competitive matches, at home in the league to Clipstone. Again they were quite a number of changes from the previous games, no less than nine players were unavailable for this match, which meant this week’s new signings, Andy Philp and Joshua Roberts were on the bench. There was also a first start of the season for Joe Brown.

Thackley began the match playing with a rather strong breeze and had the perfect start, scoring after just four minutes. Aodhan Brownlee coming in from the left and volleying home Joe Brown’s cross. A minute later it could have been two, Ben Joyce got to Brownlee’s cross but his shot was blocked on the line. The game was fifteen minutes old before Retford had their first real strike at goal, Jake Park firing high and wide. Jordan Rouse was the first of many to go into the referee’s book, when he brought down Park on the edge of the box, the same player got up to take the free kick, which went narrowly wide. Thackley were starting to dominate things and Brown’s flick from a corner was blocked on the line. Matt Convey got down well to save from Park before Thackley increased their lead just after the half hour. Brown and Joyce combined well before the latter crossed, Brownlee was lurking at the back post and he netted with ease. This was the start of a six minute spell that produced three goals. Straight from the restart Thackley pushed forward again, winning a free kick wide on the right. The away defence failed to clear the resultant kick, the ball fell to Jerry White on the edge of the box, his low drive found the back of the net. Craig Bentham was the next to get his name on the score sheet, bringing the ball out of defence, he noticed Jamie Davies well off his line, and from the half way line, hoisted it over the stranded keeper. Joyce and Cameron Jones both had efforts that went close before Dan Broadbent scored the fifth on the stroke of half time.

Half time: Thackley 5 Retford United 0.

Whilst the first half had produced much goal mouth action, the second was somewhat of an anti climax. It turned out to be a bad tempered, scrappy affair with six bookings, which included a sending off. With the half ten minutes old, Retford were reduced to ten men, Chris Funnell picking up a second yellow for a rash challenged on Jones, just a couple of minutes after receiving his first card. On the hour, Thackley nearly increased their lead, Josh Snowden’s header looked to be squeezing just inside the post but the ball yet again was cleared off of the line. Five minutes later, another shot was blocked on the line, this time Jones was denied the chance to score. The week’s new signings, Andy Philp and Joshua Roberts came on for Brown and Joyce. The latter almost immediately picking up a rather harsh booking for continuing after play had been stopped for an off side. There were no more goals and everyone was pleased when the referee called an end to proceedings.

Full time: Thackley 5 Retford United 0.

Thackley made good use of the wind at their backs and built up an unassailable lead by half time. They never really got going in the same way in a rather ugly second half, not helped by the match officials. However, five first half goals must give the team a boost for Tuesday night’s encounter with Maltby. I am pretty sure that they will make it much more difficult to score than Retford.

The Terrace ‘Man of the Match’ was Craig Bentham.

Thackley team: Convey; Rouse; Scott; Bentham (C); White; Snowden; Joyce (Roberts 75 mins); Jones; Broadbent; Brown (Philp 70 mins); Brownlee. Sub not used: Wilson.

Retford United team: Davies;Melvin; Shaw; Lockwood; O’Connor (Walters); Wyld; Adams; Sykes; Park; Funnell; Raby (Bohan). Sub not used: Greenaway.

Thackley scorers: Aodhen Brownlee 4 and 31 mins; Jerry White 32 mins; Craig Bentham 37 mins; Dan Broadbent 45 mins.

Attendance: 75.

Referee: Patrick Mahon.