Even at our level of football, derby days are still a little bit special. On most occasions we know and are friendly with the opposition officials, often several players on both sides have played for and against each other and of course, there is the bonus of a short Saturday journey. So it was that Thackley travelled a second short distance in a week to take on Albion Sports at Farsley buoyed by the victory achieved at Silsden on Tuesday evening. They made two changes to the mid-week line-up with Mitchell and Rothel replacing Wood and Trueman.

Watching Albion demolish an expected strong Hemsworth on Wednesday night we knew that this was in no way going to be easy. Albion possess three strikers who are sharp and pacey, always willing to run at defenders and generally making life very difficult for them. It was, therefore, that the game was approached with some trepidation. In the initial stages the Thackley wide defenders were tested by the running and dribbling skills of the Albion forwards, Chigumira, in particular, was making inroads down the left into Thompson’s territory. Wilson was involved in dealing competently with the opportunities created and Hargreaves and Basi often had to make last ditch tackles Gradually, however, the Thackley mid-field was getting a grip of more possession and the forwards, who had been starved of early service, were beginning to make some advances into the Albion danger area. The corner count was mounting for both sides which appeared to be the most direct way that a goal would ensue. On two or three occasions the Albion goalkeeper Beck looked unsteady but no clear opportunity resulted. After thirty-one minutes Thackley took the lead from one of the first chances that they had created. Muller, as usual, was working hard to put defenders under pressure and it was this endeavour that enabled Normanton to gain possession on the right-hand side of the penalty area. As he worked his way into the box he struck early and the ball went into the top near post corner past a static and surprised keeper. A true and clever opportunistic goal. This setback had an immediate impact on Albion and they surged forward in numbers with their front three prominent in putting the Thackley rear-guard to the test. Eventually, just before half time Keita made another surging run across the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a shot which beat the diving Wilson and crept inside the left hand upright.

Half time: Albion Sports 1 Thackley 1.

Grech- Brooksbank replaced the injured Muller at the start of the second half which had a much more cohesive pattern from both sides as they set out to find a winning score. Keita, Fogarty and Chigumira were still causing problems for the Thackley back four but in midfield the visitors were gaining ascendency and creating chances for the lively forwards. Twice, in quick succession, balls into the six-yard box did not fall kindly and were cleared with some degree of panic by the Albion defence. A goal was imminent and it came as no surprise that Jack Normanton was the initiator and executioner. Once again, with the ball at his feet, he worked himself into the penalty area and his shot from a narrow angle was too strong for Beck to hold and slipped across the goal-line. The assistant signalled confirmation as the goalkeeper pulled the ball back into his arms. This period of the game proved to be a golden patch for Thackley. Two minutes later after fifty-three minutes a corner from the right was only partially cleared and for once the ball fell kindly to Mitchell on the edge of the box and he smashed it into the net. Soon after this Mitchell was replaced by Murphy. Now it was Albion’s turn to try and rescue something from the game and they replaced Fogarty with Horbury for additional fire-power. It proved a successful ploy, Chigumira made another surging run into the box and his shot or cross found its way to Keita who converted from close range after sixty-six minutes. So, for the second time in five days the Thackley supporters were subject to a close, pulsating last twenty-five minutes. Albion had the slight ascendancy but Thackley were still capable of looking dangerous when they advanced. Last season in these situations they might have conceded an equaliser but an added edge of steel enabled them to withstand Albion’s attempts. The game now flowed from end to end and both sides might have made more of the half chances being created but the score of 2-3 prevailed until the final whistle.

Full time: Albion 2 Thackley 3.

Thackley team:Wilson; Thompson; Hunter; Whiteley (C); Basi; Hargreaves; Mitchell (Murphy 54 mins); Rothel; Muller (Grech-Brooksbank 45 mins); Flaherty (Poole 80 mins); Normanton. Subs not used: White; Boote.

Albion Team: Beck, Carlton (Ahmed 28), Nebard, Barden, Denton, Pashley, Chigumira, Maltby, Fogerty (Horbury 61), Keita, Fernando. Subs not used: Farnhill, Schofield.

Albion Sports scorer: Alhassane Keita 43 and 66 mins.

Thackley scorers: Jack Normanton 31 and 51 mins; Asa Mitchell 53 mins.

Attendance: 71