Match Preview

On Saturday Thackley entertain eBac Northern League side Thornaby for the first ever time at the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield in the opening round of this year’s FA Vase. However, it is not the first time the two have met before, for in 2008 they played a Second Round Qualifying tie at Teesdale Park in this competition. It was a match that sits in the memory for a couple of reasons, Thackley progressed to the next round after beating the ‘Blues’ five four in extra time (three all after ninety minutes) and you do not get that many nine goal games. But the thing that is most memorable for me was that somebody stole the gate money, and it could not have been a large amount with a crowd of just 38.

Thornaby play in the second tier of the Northern League and have made an excellent start to the current campaign. They currently sit in third place in the league with fifteen points from their opening six games and have scored ten goals and conceded just three. Their only defeat was against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion at Teesdale Park. In their latest game they beat Brandon United last Saturday.

Thackley have had a week and a half without a game which has been useful in helping a couple of players recover from slight knocks. This game also comes on the back of the Dennyboys’ first victory of the season in which they beat Athersley. Results up to then had been a little disappointing but the performance against the ‘Penguins’ will certainly have boosted the players and they should be high in confidence for Saturday’s game.

However, as well we know, all games against Northern League sides, no matter in what division they play, are never easy. Thackley will have to put in a performance if they want to progress to the next round, a home game against North West Counties side Carlisle City in two weeks time.