Goole AFC were Thackley first league visitors to Dennyfield this season, in their opening game the Vikings had put six past Athersley Recreation which had installed them as league leaders. Last Saturday they had progressed in the FA Cup at the expense of Hall Road Rangers. After an excellent team performance against Bridlington in Thackley’s opener, the Dennyboys were knocked out of the FA Cup last Saturday in what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon, they would be hoping to put that game behind them in this afternoon’s encounter. The team showed quite a few changes from last Saturday, both Luke Wilson and Matt Hall being unavailable after being sent off in that match. The ever young Mark Bower took over from Wilson in goal and there were first starts of the season for Owen Murphy, Asa Mitchell and Charlie Flaherty. Paul Whiteley was unavailable so the responsibility of captaining the side was given to Kris Hargreaves who was moved to the centre of a reorganised defence.

Thackley went behind after just ten minutes but their goal had survived a number of close calls before Devonte Newman-Morton turned Archie Brown’s cross in from close range. A last ditch block on the line, a Mark Bower save and a shot that had rattled the bar had gone before. The home side’s first foray into the Goole half came a couple of minutes after the goal when Asa Mitchell put Jack Normanton in but his shot was saved by Sam Riches. After surviving an hectic twenty minutes, Thackley started to get into the game, Normanton headed wide, then saw his cross rebound from the bar before Riches thwarted his effort after he had once again got behind the defence. The visitors, who seemed to be picking up most of the second balls, created chances as well, Bower did well to save from Reggie Waud and just before the break the Goole striker should have done better following a corner but headed over. However, Thackley were unlucky not to level things up before half time, Riches failed to hold onto a free kick knocked into the box, there was no one there to convert but the away keeper was in the right place to once again deny Normanton with a point blank stop.

Half time: Thackley 0 Goole 1.

The first chance of the second half fell to Thackley when Riches could only parry Owen Murphy’s free kick, again no one was there to convert. Goole had the ball in the net for the second time soon afterwards but the goal was ruled out for offside. Thackley had a great opportunity to level the scores on the hour, Andy Boote picked out Normanton’s run, as Riches advanced off of his line he laid the ball into the path of Mitchell, unfortunately his shot lacked real power and a defender was able to get back to clear off of the line. Thackley made changes in an attempt to up the ante, Murphy, Grech- Brooksbank and Boote making way for Lawrance Hunter, Jordan Hines and James Rothel. Both teams created a couple more chances, Goole’s skipper James Faulkner saw his shot flash across goal and go narrowly wide before Mitchell put the ball just the wrong side of the post from close range following a free kick. Riches saved well from Hines after Charlie Flaherty had laid the ball back. In time added on Goole were awarded a rather soft penalty when Newman-Morton went over in the box, justice was done when Bower got down to save from the floored striker's spot kick. Thackley had created enough chances to get something from the game but unfortunately none had been converted and they suffered their second successive defeat at Dennyfield.

Full time: Thackley 0 Goole 1.

Thackley had started slowly and been caught by a slick opening salvo from their visitors, once they had settled they had opportunities to score, but were unable to cancel out that early goal.

The Dennyboys have the opportunity to turn things around on Tuesday night when they make the short trip to Silsden to play their first ever league game against the Cobbydalers.

Thackley team: Bower; Thompson; Murphy (Hunter 65 mins); Boote (Rothel 74 mins); Basi; Hargreaves (C); Mitchell; Flaherty; Muller; Grech-Brooksbank (Hines 70 mins); Normanton. Subs not used: Sibanda; Marsh.

Goole team: Riches; Stannard; Cooper; Bloor; Adama; Greasley; Brown (Mortimer); Faulkner (C); Waud; Newman-Morton; Schofield (Paine). Subs not used: Morritt; Lumsden; Donne.

Goole scorer: Devonte Newman- Morton 10 mins.

Attendance: 127.

Referee: Gareth Thomas.

Photo: Captain for the day Kris Hargreaves receiving The Terrace (Saltaire) MOM award from Mick Lodge.