Thackley arrived at Station View for their fourth game in eleven days, their opponents, Harrogate Railway, had not played during that time so were likely to be the fresher of the two sides. The Rail were finding it difficult going at present, having lost their last five games. Thackley had put in their poorest performance of the season at Mansfield on Saturday; they would be looking for a big improvement in this game. The defence remained the same, but the forward line included Mike Garrod for his first start in over a year, Craig Bentham and George Eustance also returned to the starting eleven.

The first twenty minutes or so was a pretty even affair, Thackley were probably seeing more of the ball, but their opponents did carry a threat when they pushed forward. George Eustance was using his pace on the left but Leon Wrigglesworth in the home goal was not really being tested other than from set pieces, punching the ball clear on a number of occasions. Mike Garrod was the first Thackley player to get a shot off at goal and this was deflected over. Thackley started to look more dangerous in the final fifteen minutes of the half, Garrod bringing a good save from Wrigglesworth after controlling the ball on his chest before shooting. Harrogate were relying on breakaways and on a couple of occasions created half chances. Wrigglesworth pushed a Garrod shot away just before the Thackley striker scored his first goal, turning with the ball wide on the right; he fired across the keeper into the net to give Thackley an interval lead. It was just about deserved on the balance of play.

Half time: Harrogate Railway Athletic 0 Thackley 1.

Thackley went two up three minutes into the second half, Pat McGuire’s free kick was headed against the post, Garrod was the first of a number of Thackley players to react and knocked the ball over the line from close range. Ryan Farrell replaced Matt Broadley and Dan Broadbent came on for Craig Bentham as the Dennyboys looked to improve their goal difference. In a four minutes spell, three goals were scored, two by the Dennyboys and one by the home side. Garrod claimed his hat trick when he pounced on a Farrell cross to beat Wrigglesworth before Broadbent got his name on the score sheet, the ball headed back to him from a Farrell cross, he slotted home. Harrogate skipper, Steve Bromley, got what turned out to be just a consolation goal a minute later, slipping the ball past Luke Wilson at the near post from Cameron Lyn’s cross. Luke Robinson came on to replace Garrod, his job was done for the night. However, Thackley’s play became sloppy and Harrogate looked the more likely to score the next goal. Roy Fogarty was just wide with a free kick and Bromley went close with a diving header. Eustance made a couple of runs down the left, and Wrigglesworth saved a shot from Robinson late on but no further goals were added and Thackley claimed a much needed three points.

Harrogate Railway Athletic 1 Thackley 4.

Well, it was a much improved performance on Saturday’s, but not entirely convincing. It took some time for Thackley to get going in the first half, after scoring their fourth goal they took their foot off of the pedal somewhat. However, in the end it was a comfortable win which lifts the Dennyboys back to fourth in the table above Handsworth.

Armthorpe Welfare are the visitors to Dennyfield on Saturday, they are currently in a relegation place but are a team that always seem to do well against Thackley. It could be another ‘banana skin’ for the Dennyboys.

Harrogate Railway Athletic team: Wrigglesworth: Lazenby (H Kirk); Higgins; Chapman; J Kirk; Carter; Ibrahimi (Jones); Lyn; Willis (Riley); Bromley (C); Fogarty. Sub not used: Webster.

Thackley team: Wilson; Hargreaves; O’Brien; McGuire (C); White; Snowden; Broadley (Farrell 52 mins); Whiteley; Garrod (Luke Robinson 66 mins); Bentham (Broadbent 62 mins); Eustance. Subs not used: Joe Storey; Tom Storey.

Harrogate Railway Athletic scorer: Steve Bromley 68 mins.

Thackley scorers: Mike Garrod 43; 48 and 65 mins; Dan Broadbent 67 mins.

Attendance: 74.

Referee: Joe Starkie.

Photo: Mike Garrod – a hat trick in his first start for over a year.