With next week’s FA Cup fixture fast approaching, Thackley Women AFC welcomed Wyke for their final pre-season game. Given the competitive nature of last season’s meetings, another hard-fought encounter was expected, and the match certainly lived up to those expectations.
Thackley started brightly and produced some strong, determined football, with both sides showing plenty of commitment in the tackle. Thackley enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening period, using the wide areas effectively before switching play into the central channels.
One of the early opportunities came when Woods played a through ball into the Wyke penalty area for Hunt. She managed to get a shot away, but was unable to generate enough power and the Wyke goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
Thackley were occasionally caught in possession in midfield, but the defensive unit responded well, recovering quickly and dealing with the threat. Another ball played through the middle, this time by Senior, sent Hunt chasing towards goal, but an awkward bounce prevented her from getting a clean strike on the ball.
Thackley continued to move the ball well, with Morton producing a superb long pass to put Hunt through once again. The forward was adjudged to be offside by the referee, despite appearing to be level with the Wyke defender.
At the back, Thackley looked organised and strong, with Hird, Godson and Senior working well together and receiving good support from Bibby and Wood.
Morton then delivered another dangerous cross, with Mattock arriving to meet it, but her resulting effort went just wide of the Wyke goal. Shortly afterwards, Wood played an inside pass to Hunt, who in turn sent the ball through for Morton to run onto. The Wyke goalkeeper showed good awareness, coming off her line to reach the ball just before Morton and make an important save.
Thackley continued to press, putting together some excellent passing moves. A Hird pass found Morton, who turned and immediately played a first-time ball towards the advancing Mattock. With Mattock running towards goal, she attempted to pull the ball back for Hunt, but the pass was just behind her, allowing Hunt only the slightest of touches.
There was further controversy when a Thackley corner found its way into the net, only for the referee to rule that the ball had gone out of play before coming back into the area.
Wyke continued to threaten themselves and created a number of shooting opportunities, but the Thackley goalkeeper dealt comfortably with everything that came her way.
Thackley also showed some impressive football through the middle, patiently putting several passes together. Following a pass from Mattock, Hunt turned well before finding Senior. Senior produced a superb 360-degree turn before sending her effort over the crossbar.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with both teams creating opportunities. Thackley came close when Mattock delivered a dangerous cross into the area, but Goddard was unable to quite connect with it in front of goal.
Despite both sides having chances, it was Wyke who eventually found the breakthrough. A strong run down their right wing created the opening, before a powerful pass was headed into the top-right corner of the Thackley goal, giving the visitors the only goal of the game.
Thackley will undoubtedly be disappointed to come away without anything to show for their efforts, particularly after creating a number of promising opportunities throughout the match. However, pre-season is ultimately about preparation, development and learning, and there will be plenty for the players and management team to take from the game.
With a month of pre-season football now behind them, Thackley can look back on a valuable run of fixtures that has provided the squad with important minutes, tested different combinations and highlighted areas to work on.
Next up is the FA Cup — and the competitive season begins.