Unbeaten Hemsworth Miners Welfare were the visitors to the Thank You Key Workers Stadium on Tuesday night to play a Thackley team looking for their first league win. The Wells had victories against Staveley and Knaresborough under their belt, they would be looking to continue their winning run. Thackley had lost their last two games after being in front, they really needed a win, not only to boost their points total but to put some positivity into their play before Saturday’s FA Vase game against Harrogate Railway. Manager Pat McGuire decided on a complete re shuffle of the defence, the returning Paul Whiteley coming in at full back together with the inclusion of Ryan Basi. Seb Scaroni was included after sitting out Saturday’s game because of suspension and new signing Chris Lever was given the job of leading the line.

An usual start to the game, in that Luke Danville picked up a booking after just a minute for preventing Luke Wilson from kicking the ball. Other than that, it was an energetic opening twenty minutes or so, both sides showing that they were intent on pushing forward. Thackley were working the ball down the flanks in the hope of getting crosses in to debutant Chris Lever but generally defences were on top. Midway through the half, a Jack Normanton free kick went near to crossing the line but neither side were creating any real chances. With just over five minutes to go to the break, Maltby broke the deadlock with a rather fortuitous goal. A free kick given against Kris Hargreaves, who was so incensed about its validity it cost him a booking, was knocked into the box, the ball was deflected upwards and Danville rose the highest to head in from close range. Lewis Waddington got off a couple of well struck shots just before the break, the first was high, the second brought an excellent save from Brett Souter in the away goal. Hemsworth held onto their one goal advantage until half time.

Half time: Thackley 0 Hemsworth Miners Welfare 1.

Unlike the last couple of games, Thackley made a bright start to the second half, however, Owen Murphy had to be replaced by Will Alderton after only a couple of minutes. Thackley were showing positive signs and getting shots off, none really testing Souter, who from the start of the half had decided to waste as much time as possible. On the hour, a good piece of play involving Morgan Butcher and Normanton set up Alderton for a shot which whistled just wide of the upright. Thackley were striving to get that elusive equaliser and decided to change things with the introduction of James Rothel for Seb Scaroni. Thackley’s equaliser came with fifteen minutes remaining, Normanton running onto Ben Grech-Brooksbank’s defence splitting pass, he pulled the ball back for Waddington to slot past Souter. The Hemsworth keeper kept the score level a couple of minutes later with a great save from Alderton. However, the save proved to be in vain, because with five minutes of normal time remaining, Rothel’s timely run and powerful header from Normanton’s cross, made Thackley the ‘comeback’ kids for a change and netted them three points for the first time this season.

Full time: Thackley 2 Hemsworth Miners Welfare 1.

It was a nice way to win a game for a change, coming back from behind, something that Thackley had suffered twice already this season. Chris Lever, up front, made an impact without really getting a scoring chance, I think he is the sort of player that Thackley have lacked in the past.

Thackley entertain Harrogate Railway at the Thank You Key Workers Stadium on Saturday in the FA Vase. This confidence boosting win should see them ready for this important game.

Thackley team: Wilson; Whiteley ©; Hargreaves; Butcher; Basi; Scaroni (Rothel 73 mins); Waddington; Lever; Normanton; Grech-Brooksbank; Murphy (Alderton 49 mins). Unused subs: Muller; Jones; Rhodes.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare team: Souter ©; Dawson; Wildblood; Parker; Cadrow; Danville; Santos; Wilson; Swaine; Walker; Davis. Subs: Wright; Hughes; Zalo; Valladolid-Collins; Jeff.

Thackley scorers: Lewis Waddington 76 mins; James Rothel 85 mins.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare scorer: Luke Danville 38 mins.

Attendance: 155.

Photo: Scorer of Thackley's winner - James Rothel.

Referee: Josh Brayshaw.