Match Preview

Thackley make their longest trip of the season on Saturday when they travel to the Bradley Centre to play Grimsby Borough. Although this will be the first game at this venue between the clubs, it is not Thackley’s first visit to the ground because it is the former home of Cleethorpes Town. This is Grimsby’s first season in the top division of the NCEL, they won promotion at the end of last season after finishing in top spot. Founded in 2003, they were promoted to Division One of the NCEL in 2008. Grimsby started this season very well and topped the league table for a short time. Since then their results have been somewhat erratic and they have dropped to seventh (33 points from 19 games) just one place but five points above Thackley.

Grimsby have won just once in their last five outings which has seen their league position drop, that victory was against Bottesford who are currently second from bottom of the table. Last weekend Grimsby surprisingly lost out to bottom club Athersley Recreation, four one, all five goals coming in a hectic first half. Their solitary scorer last Saturday was Adam Drury who currently has scored twelve goals so far this season.

Thackley and Grimsby have met just once, that was in September when the Dennyboys ran out two one winners, this victory lifted them to the top of the table, leapfrogging Grimsby who had held the position prior to the game. A Liam Higton own goal gave Thackley a first half lead, Jack Normanton increased it to two in the second half before Jack Bradbury scored late on for the away side.

Thackley have lost just once in their last six games, a disappointing performance at Handsworth. They drew their previous three games and have won their last two, scoring six without conceding. In both games they have fully deserved their victories, playing some of their best football of the season. Although not in the best of form at present, Grimsby are likely to provide stern opposition for Thackley. However, if they can continue where they left off last weekend, Thackley will be hopeful of picking up some sort of reward from this game.