On Saturday Thackley entertained old adversaries Armthorpe Welfare in a game in which both sides needed the points. Thackley were looking to finish the season up amongst the leaders, whilst Armthorpe were hoping to avoid the drop from the Premier Division having spent the last thirty one years there. Armthorpe had not won since the first week of the new year, whilst Thackley had returned from Harrogate on Tuesday night with a four one victory. Thackley made a couple of changes to the starting line up, Craig Bentham dropping back into defence and Ryan Farrell and Dan Broadbent added to the forward line.

Thackley spent most of the opening twenty minutes or so in the Armthorpe half without really creating a chance. They were controlling the game but the final telling ball was missing, Thackley were guilty of giving it away too easily. Dan Broadbent seemed to have a scoring opportunity on twenty minutes but having got clear he was bundled over in the box and the referee signalled for play to continue. Thackley made the breakthrough on twenty five minutes, Ryan Farrell cutting inside before shooting, Liam Copley could not hold his low drive and Mike Garrod was on hand to slot the ball over the line. Garrod had an opportunity to score a second a couple of minutes later, a poor kick out from the Armthorpe keeper fell to the Thackley striker but he screwed his shot wide as he burst forward. Thackley were now starting to create chances and a Garrod shot went narrowly wide before Jerry White headed over from a corner. Thackley got the second goal their play deserved on thirty five minutes; it followed a quickly taken throw in, Broadbent turned and beat Copley at his near post. Chris Gowen headed a dangerous looking cross from George Eustance over as the home side looked for further goals. Armthorpe had the ball in the net just before the break but it was ruled out for offside, this was the closest that the away side came to threatening the Thackley goal and the Dennyboys were good value for their half time lead.

Half time: Thackley 2 Armthorpe Welfare 0.

Thackley made the game safe ten minutes into the second half following another quickly taken throw in, Broadbent easily evaded Josh Gibbons’ challenged before firing across Copley into the net. It looked like Armthorpe had reduced the arrears a couple of minutes later when they had the ball in the net following a corner, but referee Aaron Bannister must have seen some interference and awarded Thackley a free kick. Kris Hargreaves replaced Luke O’Brien at the back before Thackley went close to getting a fourth, Garrod providing the perfect pass for Farrell to run onto, his shot struck the bar. Garrod made way for Luke Robinson as Thackley were now well in control. Eustance looped a shot just wide of the post before they got the fourth goal. It was substitute Robinson that got it, picking up Farrell’s cross before turning and firing low past Copley. Matt Broadley replaced Eustance with ten minutes remaining. Just about the only shot of note from Armthorpe came late on, Liam Radford firing narrowly wide from the edge of the box. Pat McGuire fired over and Broadley’s header, following a corner, was cleared off of the line before the referee called time on proceedings.

Full time: Thackley 4 Armthorpe Welfare 0.

In the end it was a comfortable win for the Dennyboys, the game was by no means a classic but the bumpy pitch was not conducive to playing the ball on the ground. Another three valuable points mean that Thackley retain fourth spot.

Next up for the Dennyboys, their sixth game in eighteen days, is Handsworth Parramore. The Amber Parras are just four points behind Thackley in the table but have played one game less. Tuesday’s game is a six pointer.

Thackley team: Wilson; Bentham; O’Brien (Hargreaves 68 mins); McGuire (C); White; Snowden; Farrell; Whiteley; Garrod (Robinson 74 mins); Broadbent; Eustance (Broadley 80 mins).

Armthorpe Welfare team: Copley; Nelson; Gowen; Walker (Collins); Gibbons; Waldron; Johnson (Bonser); Aspinall (C); Radford; Mansaram; Kearsley (Kawodza),. Subs not used: Pearse; Massamba.

Thackley scorers: Mike Garrod 25 mins; Dan Broadbent 35 and 55 mins; Luke Robinson 78 mins.

Attendance: 125.

Referee: Aaron Bannister.

Photo: The Terrace (Saltaire) Man of the Match - Paul Whiteley being presented with his meal voucher by Thackley Manager Chris Reape.