Thackley AFC Women got their league campaign off to an excellent start with a convincing 4–0 away victory against Cleethorpes Town Women.
Despite still being without a number of players through injury, player-manager Yasmin Senior put out a side that looked composed, organised and confident from the opening whistle.
Playing a 4-3-3 formation, Thackley looked strong defensively, with Senior and Charlie Blythe forming a solid partnership at centre-back, supported by Georgia Clipson and Amy Wood at full-back.
Further forward, Molly Ellis and Emma Dorland, making her league debut, immediately began causing problems for the Cleethorpes defence.
Thackley started brightly and were soon creating opportunities. A cross from Becca Hunt found Dorland, who laid the ball back into the centre for Carrie Burnett to strike, although her effort went just wide. Chelsea Morton had already tested the Cleethorpes goalkeeper, who did well to keep out her earlier effort.
Thackley continued to build pressure, with a neat exchange between Hunt and Ellis allowing Hunt another opportunity, but her shot was blocked and safely gathered by the keeper.
The visitors were beginning to gain momentum, with the quality of their passing and movement showing the benefits of the hard work being put in on the training ground.
After 13 minutes, Thackley took the lead. Hunt won possession in the Cleethorpes midfield before playing a clever pass between two defenders. Dorland timed her run perfectly, raced onto the ball and calmly placed her finish beyond the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.
Cleethorpes 0–1 Thackley – Emma Dorland.
It was a dream start to league football with Thackley for Dorland, who marked her debut with a goal.
Thackley continued to control the midfield, with Burnett and Beth Davies working hard alongside Hunt to dictate the play. Ellis was proving a constant threat down the left flank, with the Cleethorpes defence struggling to contain her. On several occasions she was stopped by pulling her back by the shirt, resulting in a number of free-kicks for Thackley.
Cleethorpes attempted to respond, but in the 24th minute their shot was blocked by Blythe. Thackley immediately turned defence into attack, with Davies moving the ball quickly upfield before finding Ellis. She was tackled as she looked to continue the attack, with the ball eventually going out for a corner.
The pressure finally produced a second goal in the 35th minute. Burnett was fouled, giving Thackley a free-kick approximately 35 yards from goal.
Blythe stepped up and produced a moment of real quality. Her stunning strike looped over the Cleethorpes goalkeeper and dropped into the net to double Thackley’s advantage.
Cleethorpes 0–2 Thackley – Charlie Blythe.
Thackley continued to look dangerous as the first half drew to a close, with Ellis delivering a cross that was just too high for Morton to make a connection with.
The second half followed much the same pattern, with Thackley continuing to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game.
Hunt flicked the ball through the Cleethorpes defence and Morton raced onto it before finishing into the net. Unfortunately for Thackley, the referee ruled the effort out for offside.
It did little to disrupt Thackley's momentum, however, and they soon had a third.
Hunt received the ball just outside the Cleethorpes penalty area, brought it under control on her chest and then unleashed a spectacular half-volley. The strike flew into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Cleethorpes 0–3 Thackley – Becca Hunt.
Thackley continued to press and were rewarded with a fourth goal following another excellent piece of attacking play.
Blythe carried the ball down Thackley's left before playing an inside pass to Morton. Morton immediately returned the ball, allowing Blythe to run onto it and continue towards the Cleethorpes byline. She delivered a dangerous cross into the goal area, where new signing Burnett arrived at pace to finish and make it four.
Cleethorpes 0–4 Thackley – Carrie Burnett.
With the final whistle approaching, Thackley remained in control and saw the game out comfortably to record an impressive opening-day victory.
The result represents an excellent start to life in the North East Regional Women’s League, particularly given the number of players still unavailable through injury. The defensive organisation, control in midfield and attacking movement all provided plenty of positives for Senior and her squad to take forward.
After the game Yasmin Senior had this to say about the game:-
“It was great to kick start our league campaign with such a complete performance. Everything clicked into place and we were composed and dominate throughout. It was brilliant to see two of our new signings, Emma and Carrie in and amongst the goals as well, and now we’re looking forward to our first home game of the season this weekend”
The hard work of pre-season is already beginning to show, and Thackley will take plenty of confidence from a dominant performance on the road.
Final score: Cleethorpes Town Women 0–4 Thackley AFC Women
POTM – Emma Dorland
Next match. Bottesford at home. 2pm Kick off