Staveley was Thackley’s destination on Saturday, the Dennyboys had lost to Handsworth in mid week, where a draw would have been a better reflection of play, they needed to get something from this game. Both regular full backs were unavailable, so Mike Garrod and Jerry White were switched to cover. This left an opportunity for Sam Robinson to return to lead the attack. With pitches now drying out, there is a certain amount of unevenness about the surface which makes playing the ball on the ground more difficult.

For the first forty minutes of this match I noted that Tyla Bell picked up a booking after ten minutes, for Thackley Dan Broadbent, Craig Bentham and Ryan Farrell had shots that went wide and for the home side, Josh Schofield saw his long range effort clear the bar. Other than that there was very little action in the danger areas, most of the play being hoisted between the two penalty boxes. Both teams were as bad as each other, giving the ball away easily or launching it forward for defenders to win in the air. With the first attack of any note on forty two minutes, Bentham got back to cut out a dangerous looking cross to give away a corner. It was from this set piece that Staveley scored their goal, Steve Carty getting his head to the ball and glancing it into the net. Again Thackley had succumbed to a set piece goal.

Half time: Staveley Miners Welfare 1 Thackley 0.

Thackley were given a boost five minutes into the second half when Staveley were reduced to ten men, for some reason Schofield found it necessary to cuff Broadbent around the head and the referee showed him a straight red. Broadbent was accused of a pushing so he was shown yellow. Two minutes later the Thackley striker went close, turning and shooting but his shot went narrowly wide. Staveley were happy to hold onto what they had but Thackley were struggling to make their one man advantage count. In a spell of pressure mid way through the half they created a number of chances that gave them hope. Pat McGuire put Farrell through on goal but he crossed when perhaps he should have shot, Broadbent mistimed a Farrell cross which went tamely wide before Sam Robinson saw his shot rebound from the bar with the keeper stranded. However, it was he that kept Staveley in front moments later when he got down to turn Farrell’s well struck drive away, Jerry White crossed for Broadbent to head home but the goal was disallowed for offside. Luke Robinson came on for Farrell as Thackley looked to get something from the game. Callum Mawbey and Josh Snowden picked up bookings before, with five minutes remaining, Thackley won their first corner of the game. McGuire, as always put in the perfect ball, White flicked on but it hit the post and rebounded to safety. Joe Storey replaced Broadbent as Mike Garrod was pushed forward but the Staveley defence held firm and for the second match in succession; Thackley had been beaten by the only goal of the game.

Full time: Staveley Miners Welfare 1. Thackley 0.

The first half was a bit of a non event other than giving away another set piece goal. In the second Thackley should have made more of their one man advantage, they went close on a couple of occasions but lacked that bit of luck you sometimes need.

Next up for the Dennyboys is the visit of league leaders Cleethorpes Town on Tuesday night, they have won through to the FA Vase Final at Wembley in May. Results since winning the semi final have been a bit mixed but they ran out easy winners at Liversedge on Saturday. Can Thackley take advantage of a team that may have other things on their mind?

Staveley Miners Welfare team: Naylor; Nelthorpe; Carty; Madin; Hanson (C); Rawson; Schofield; Getliff; Mawbey; Bell; Fox. Subs: Robinson; Bartle; Barker.

Thackley team: Wilson; Garrod; White; McGuire (C); Bentham; Snowden; Farrell (Luke Robinson 73 mins); Whiteley; Sam Robinson; Broadbent (Joe Storey 87 mins); Eustance. Sub not used: Tom Storey.

Staveley Miners Welfare scorer: Steve Carty 43 mins.

Attendance: 117.

Referee: Martyn Fryer.

Photo - Dan Broadbent - scored but his goal was ruled out for offside.