Match report by Cayden Sands

A second half brace from former Penistone Church forward Antony Brown paved the way for Thackley to defeat the league leaders 3-2 at Dennyfield.

This result represents the perfect recovery for the Dennyboys following Saturday's frustrating afternoon at Parkgate, whilst also maintaining what is becoming a strong winning streak at home.

The game began with both sides quickly out to build momentum and get on top of their opponents, with Thackley managing to have the first major chance on seven minutes when Ben Grech-Brooksbank saw a promising effort just go wide of the net.

The visitors would soon manage to have a good chance of their own after a lofted through ball found the feet of Nathan Keightley, who managed to beat an on rushing Luke Wilson to the ball before the resulting shot ultimately drifted to safety.

From here, the game turned into a proper back and forth affair that had all the makings of further excitement, even as both sides managed to limit the other's chances.

Penistone would almost take the lead on 31 minutes after a botched clearance saw the ball land kindly for Keightley, who again tested Wilson inside the box, but was this time he just failed to beat the keeper, who then won a free kick to end the passage of play.

Thackley managed to respond to this moment well, with Finn Donovan having a pair of opportunities that troubled the visitors, with the first fizzing just wide of the mark after a powerful shot before the second looked to be looping over and in, but was ultimately dealt with by goalkeeper Adam Lawlor.

As half time approached, Penistone won a corner with the wind in their favour, a factor that would ultimately lead to the game's opening goal when Leon Hurles-Brook was able to curl the ball into the box before it went over a helpless Wilson and into the net, giving his side the lead heading into the break and giving the Dennyboys a mountain to climb.

Half time: Thackley 0 v 1 Penistone Church

Thackley began the second half well, with an early shot from Tawheed Ahmed just going over the bar as the team looked to find an equalising goal.

Soon after this, Brown found himself in and amongst the key moments again, with the forward getting an effort off following a strong team move in the penalty area, though despite being in a promising position, the shot could only hit the side netting.

The visitors would then have a chance of their own on the 58 minute mark when Samuel Scrivens did well to latch onto a lofted pass and found himself in a perfect position to double Penistone's lead, but another fine save from Wilson prevented this, with the passage of play ending shortly after courtesy of a foul.

The Dennyboys' patience would finally pay off in the 61st minute when the equaliser would come courtesy of Grech-Brooksbank, who did well to receive and poke the ball past Lawlor in a crowded box to set up an exciting half an hour after good hold up play from Brown who turned his man in the box and laid the pass on a plate for his Captain.

A missed chance from Ahmed seven minutes later looked to have ensured the game would stay level a little longer, but then out of nowhere, a through ball from Grech-Brooksbank returning the favour managed to find the feet of Brown, who simply couldn't miss as he converted his effort past Lawlor to give Thackley the lead whilst humbly refusing to celebrate against his former teammates in the process.

Brown was at it again three minutes later when following a cross from Ahmed, the forward was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball home uncontested and give the Dennyboys a two goal lead following an incredible 10 minute period for the side.

Just as Thackley were looking to consolidate their advantage, a sudden free kick was won by the visitors before Hurles-Brook further proved his set-piece prowess by sealing his brace with a well taken effort to set up a thrilling conclusion to an excellent game, albeit the goal was aided by a big deflection off of a Thackley defender's head.

Despite the level of pressure, the Dennyboys managed to hold on for an impressive victory against the league leaders after a brilliant showing from the whole team, with Saturday's trip to Pickering Town being the perfect opportunity to build on this showing and keep this largely impressive run in the league going.

Full time: Thackley 3 v 2 Penistone Church

A big performance and a big 3 points under the lights at Dennyfield to bounce back from the defeat at the weekend. Next match is this Saturday with an away trip in the League to Pickering Town. All support again appreciated.

Thackley team: Wilson, Everingham; Gardner; Morrisey (Rhodes 85mins); Dempsey; Hudson; Donovan (Holcombe 78mins); Mitchell; Brown; Grech-Brooksbank© (Bradshaw 71mins); Ahmed. Unused subs: Forrester (GK); Smith.

Penistone Church team: Lawlor; Pownall; Howes©; Coduri; Johnson; Stocks; Hurles-Brook; Rose; Keightley; Ryan; Scrivens. Subs: Newsome; Sniath (GK); Lenthall; Hughes; Town.

Thackley scorers: Ben Grech-Brooksbank (60mins); Antony Brown (68mins & 71mins)

Penistone Church scorer: Leon Hurles-Brook (45mins & 83mins)

Attendance: 129

Referee: Joshua Brayshaw

Thackley MOM: Antony Brown

Photo shows Antony Brown collecting his Man of the Match award from Treasurer David Stott