It was the start of a new era for Thackley on Saturday when they entertained Penistone Church at the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield. It was Penistone’s first ever visit but more importantly it was the first game in charge for the new management team of Pat McGuire, Mike Garrod and Joe Brown. It was not going to be an easy start for them, Penistone were on a thirteen game unbeaten run; their last defeat was way back in October. Thackley’s last victory was the comfortable six nil win at Parkgate in mid November, they were now getting drawn into the relegation battle; they needed to start adding to their points tally. Both new joint managers were among the starting eleven leaving Joe Brown as the man in the dugout. The pitch had been subject to a morning inspection which it just about passed, then the frost had given the top surface a firmness which the afternoon sun had turned very soft.

As would be expected in difficult conditions, it took both sides some time to acclimatise but Thackley looked more energetic than they had in recent games. It was the home side that created the first chance, Luke Robinson firing into the side netting after getting on the end of a Jordan Hines cross. Both sides were finding the heavy pitch difficult and neither were able to create any real chances of note. It was just before the half hour that Penistone created their first half chance, a snapshot from Jordan Corduri bringing a save from Luke Wilson. A Nathan Keightley header went narrowly wide before Mike Garrod’s shot suffered a similar fate after a good run and lay back by James Ngoe. Keiran Ryan should have done better from just outside the box and a Corduri free kick just shaved the post as the away side had their best spell of the game in the latter stages of the half. Robinson got his head on Pat McGuire’s free kick just before the break but the ball finished up at the wrong side of the post. The first half had produced few opportunities for either team.

Half time: Thackley 0 Penistone Church 0.

Thackley took the lead just two minutes into the second period, new skipper Paul Whiteley feeding the ball out to Robinson; his rasping shot from the edge of the box gave away keeper Adam Rhodes no chance. It was just the boost the home side needed and it was hoped they would push on from there. It was not to be, Penistone equalised five minutes later, Corduri firing in from the narrowest of angles after weaving his way along the bye line. Thackley pushed forward looking to get their noses back in front and were caught out three times, Keightley getting clear but Wilson came to their rescue. On all three occasions the Penistone forward had only the Thackley keeper to beat but Wilson came out to block his shots. Thackley made their first change, Joe Hughes coming on for Hines. Rhodes did well to save from a Garrod flick following a corner as Thackley looked to be getting back on top. Hughes laid the ball back to Robinson; Rhodes made the save before Matt Broadley replaced Ngoe. The Thackley substitute twice set up chances, first for Robinson whose shot went narrowly wide, the second for Hughes; his shot brought a save from Rhodes. There were no more goals and the game finished level.

Full time: Thackley 1 Penistone Church 1.

In the end a fair result, in a game that could have gone either way. From Thackley’s point of view a good point considering the form of both teams. It was a much more energetic performance from the Dennyboys, which would have been expected. A good start for the new management team, if this level of performance can be maintained then the team will continue to pick up points.

A trip to the other side of Bradford next Saturday for the visit to local rivals Liversedge.

Thackley team: Wilson; Walshaw; Omosebi; McGuire; White; Rothel; Ngoe (Broadley 74 mins); Whiteley (C); Hines (Hughes 66 mins); Garrod; Robinson. Subs not used: David; Beattie.

Penistone Church team: Rhodes; Richards (Whittington); Young; Ellis; Brennan; Lovell; Howes (C); Corduri; Keightley (Smith); Ryan; Ring (Firth). Sub not used: Graham.

Thackley scorer: Luke Robinson 47 mins.

Penistone Church scorer: Jordan Corduri 52 mins.

Attendance: 140.

Referee: Leo Howard.

Men of the match: Paul Whiteley and Luke Wilson.

Photo: Luke Wilson The Terrace (Saltaire) MOM being presented with the award by match sponsor Graham Eastwood of Top Notch Insurance Specialists.