It was ‘Derby’ day on Saturday when Albion Sports visited the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield. The Lions were four places and seven points ahead of the Dennyboys and had only been beaten once since the beginning of the year. Thackley were getting drawn into the relegation battle, without a win since November, they really needed all three points for this game. The Albion side contained a number of ex Thackley players; both Kesi Omolokun and Nathan Woodward had made appearance for them this season, whilst Sumaili Cisse played a couple of years ago. The new management team tweaked the team a little from last week, Kieran Thompson starting on the right side of defence, Mike Garrod moving into mid field. Nicky Matthews was added to the bench after missing most of the season through injury.

It was the away side that looked the more dangerous in the opening minutes. As early as the second, Luke Wilson did well to get down and turn a Joe Barden header around the post following a corner. Five minutes later Danny Facey put the ball over from ten yards out. The Lions should have gone in front shortly afterwards when Aaron Heywood got free, he tried to lift the ball over the advancing Wilson but the Thackley keeper saved. Possession wise, it was a pretty even affair but Thackley were not really creating anything up front, their main threat coming from Mike Garrod’s long throw ins. Wilson was far the busier of the two keepers and he did well to hold onto Josh Morley’s free kick from the edge of the box. Albion keeper, Kyle Trennery made a routine save from a Garrod back header following a free kick just before Facey hit the side netting. Thackley’s best chance of the half came just before the break, Trennery coming out to deny Garrod. Neither side had managed to score when the referee called time on the first forty five minutes.

Half time: Thackley 0 Albion Sports 0.

Both keepers made important saves in the opening minutes of the second half. Wilson made the first, coming out to thwart Facey after the Albion striker had got clear, shortly afterwards it was Trennery doing a similar job on Garrod after Jordan Hines had provided the perfect through ball. Mark Trueman made way for James Ngoe as Thackley began to get on top. Trennery pushed Pat McGuire’s header over the bar and Luke Robinson saw his shot go wide of the upright. It was the Dennyboys that were starting to create chances in this half. Dan Broadbent came on for Hines just before Thackley went in front. Garrod chased down a Lawrance Hunter cross; he knocked the ball back across goal for Robinson to fire home. Albion went close to equalising a couple of minutes later but again Wilson did well to get down and save from Barden. Facey dived into the box to try to win a penalty but the referee saw that the original offence was outside and on a couple of occasions Sumaili Cisse seemed to go to ground very easily, as Albion tried desperately to get back on level terms. Alex Cusack curled a free kick just wide of the post before Nicky Matthews replaced goal scorer Robinson. In the closing minutes, Matthews showed that he had lost none of his pace, getting clear only to be denied by Trennery. The referee’s final whistle was greeted with great relief and delight; it was the new management team’s first victory and more importantly three very valuable points.

Full time: Thackley 1 Albion Sports 0.

At last a win, it had taken some time in coming but in the end very welcome. The game itself was not for the purist, the soft ground did not make it easy to play football. Thackley battled hard for their win, they rode their luck somewhat in the first half but came out on top in the second. A clean sheet and a victory, got to go back to the win at Parkgate for either of those.

Next up for Thackley is the trip to bottom club Clipstone on Saturday.

Thackley team: Wilson; Thompson; Hunter; McGuire; Rothel; White; Garrod; Whiteley (C); Hines (Broadbent 70 mins); Robinson (Matthews 84 mins); Trueman (Ngoe 62 mins); Subs not used: Pickles; David.

Albion Sports team: Trennery; Wilks; Morley (Khan); Fairhurst (Woodward); Basi; Omolokun; Cisse; Barden (C); Facey; Heywood (Foley); Cusack. Sub not used: Hussain.

Thackley scorer: Luke Robinson 78 mins.

Attendance: 151.

Referee: David Holbrook.

Photo: Match sponsor ex Thackley player Dave Gomersal presenting The Terrace (Saltaire) man of the match award to Mike Garrod.