Thackley Leave it Late to Send Zebras Down.

Two very late goals give the Dennyboys victory and see Brigg relegated for the second successive season.

Thackley’s final game of the season was against Brigg Town, defeat for the Zebras would see them relegated for the second successive season. Brigg had beaten league title runners up Handsworth last weekend; they would be looking for a similar result in this match. Thackley were in their worst run of form of the season, five successive defeats had seen their aspirations of finishing in the top eight vanish during the last month.

It was another slow start to a game from Thackley and Brigg had the chance to go in front four minutes in. Dayle Coleing failed to hold onto Paul Grimes’ shot; Lewis Dennison put the loose ball wide at the far post. Thackley had a similar chance five minutes later, Dan Pett putting the ball over from just a couple of yards out after Jody Barton had spilled Ryan Farrell’s cross. Thackley fell behind in the fourteenth minute when Jerry White was adjudged to have brought down Grimes inside the box, the Zebras striker converted from the spot. It was the away side that continued to look the more dangerous and Coleing saved with his legs from Oliver Fisher on twenty minutes. Thackley were creating very little, however on the half hour Tom Dugdale got clear but blasted over. Five minutes later Dugdale again fired over following a quickly taken free kick. The game was turning into a typical end of season affair and the away side kept their one goal lead into the break.

Half time: Thackley 0 Brigg Town 1.

The second half started much the same as the first had finished, very scrappy, Thackley giving the ball way, Brigg eager to get possession but taking their time whenever possible. Neither side were really creating any chances and the game became a little fractious, in the main down to some poor refereeing decisions, which resulted in Craig Bentham being booked. With twenty minutes remaining Farrell got through on goal but instead of shooting, he pulled the ball back and the chance was gone. Thackley made their three substitutions, Pett, White and Baz Littlefair replaced by Damian Hopkins, Liam Hudson and Elliott Scott. The changes seemed to inject new life into Thackley and first Bentham and then Hudson fired over. There was a twist in the final minutes of the game; Tom Batchelor felled Hopkins in the area, Dugdale took the spot kick and scored for the twenty second time this season. Then, with virtually the last kick of the game, Hudson converted Farrell’s cross to give the Dennyboys a last gasp victory and send Brigg down to Division One.

Full time: Thackley 2 Brigg Town 1.

I am not sure if Thackley really deserved the victory but they have played well and got nothing from games this season, this perhaps was payback time. Overall, it was a scrappy end of season affair, the three points means the Dennyboys finish the season just below mid way in twelfth position in the table.

So, a season that as always has seen its highs and lows, but one in which I believe every Thackley player has given their all for the team. Thanks so much to our dedicated Management team and to everyone that has put on a Thackley shirt.

Thackley team: Coleing; Littlefair (Scott 80 mins); Hargreaves; McGuire (C); White (Hudson 80 mins); Snowden; Farrell; Whiteley; Bentham; Pett (Hopkins 78 mins); Dugdale.

Brigg Town team: Barford (C); Fisher; Smith; Bratten; Batchelor; Thompson; Dennison; Lewis (Hornsey); Grimes (Parker); Anderson; Broughton (Kelly). Subs not used: Graves; Hellewell.

Thackley scorers: Tom Dugdale 88 mins (pen); Liam Hudson 90 + 3 mins.

Brigg Town scorer: Paul Grimes 14 mins (pen).

Attendance: 108.

Referee: Aaron Bannister.

Photo: Liam Hudson – came off the bench to notch the winner.