Thackley travelled to Garforth Town on Saturday looking to pick up their first away points of the season. The Miners had started the season well with four victories but had lost their last two games, they would be looking to get back to winning ways. Thackley had played well in defeat on Wednesday night at league leaders Yorkshire Amateur but lady luck seemed to have deserted them in recent games. Again, Manager Pat McGuire, had to make changes with former player Luke Robinson returning to the club and Jordan Dimuca making his first appearance on the team sheet.

Thackley started playing down the slope and the game had plenty of movement, without either side really creating anything, in the first fifteen minutes. The first chance fell to Dan Broadbent, latching onto a cross from Matt Broadley but his shot was blocked by a defender. A Jamie Barkway shot cleared the bar before another Thackley shot was blocked. The away side are playing all the football at this stage and they looked to have deservedly gone in front mid way through the half. Mark Trueman skirting the edge of the box before releasing a low drive that just squeezes inside the post. The referee gave the goal, the assistant’s flag is not raised. As the players line up for the restart, the referee decides to consult with his assistant, he then disallows the goal. A decision indicative of the match official’s afternoon. Thackley continue to press, Broadley is pulled back when through on goal, Joe Smith is yellow carded. Luke Robinson goes close with a header and Trueman brings a save from keeper Toby Wells. With five minutes of the half remaining Broadley gets a kick in the face which ends his involvement for the day, from the resultant free kick the referee awards a penalty for hand ball. Wells makes a great save from Ben Grech-Brooksbank’s well struck kick. Lewis Waddington is Broadley’s replacement. The scores remain level at the break, in reality, Thackley should be going in at least two goals to the good.

Half time: Garforth Town 0 Thackley 0.

Having weathered the first half, it is the home side that make the best start to the second. Luke Wilson doing well to tip Lee Turner’s free kick over the bar. Garforth open the scoring with a rather fortuitous goal, Joe Colley clipping the ball forward following a corner which somehow ends up in the net. Simon Poole is the next Thackley player to leave the field with what looks like a bad arm injury, his replacement is Jordan Dimuca making his debut. The home side should have increased their lead soon after, Charlie Marshall firing over with the goal at his mercy. Will Alderton replaces Broadbent to introduce fresh legs as Thackley look to get back into the game. The Garforth defence is standing firm and Thackley are finding it difficult to break down. A scything tackle on Seb Scaroni leaves him writhing in agony on the half way line, the referee waves for play to continue and Sam Barker converts James Burgess’s cross from close range. Scaroni is unable to continue and Thackley are reduced to ten men. Wilson keeps the score at two with a good save late on. Another day when lady luck looks to have abandoned Thackley.

Full time: Garforth Town 2 Thackley 0.

A disappointing result, again Thackley played some really good stuff and should have gone into the break with a two goal lead. A missed penalty and an unbelievable refereeing decision denying them. In the second half the home side took advantage and scored fortunate goals, which is what the game is all about.

Local rivals Silsden are the visitors to the Thank You Key Workers Stadium next Saturday, another tough ‘Derby’ game.

Garforth Town team: Wells; Smith; McGahan; Barkway; Denton; Fitzgerald; Marshall (Burgess); Coupland ©; Burton (Turner)(Leach); Barker; Colley. Unused sub: Mayall.

Thackley team: Wilson; Whiteley ©; Hargreaves; Trueman; Haigh; Scaroni; Poole (Dimuca 55 mins); Broadbent (Alderton 65 mins); Robinson; Grech-Brooksbank; Broadley (Waddington 42 mins). Unused sub: Mitchell.

Garforth Town scorers: Joe Colley 53 mins; Sam Barker 83 mins.

Attendance: 240.

Referee: Steven Taylor.