Match preview by Josh Birkin.

Thackley AFC are swiftly back into league action on Tuesday as they welcome Golcar United to Dennyfield following Saturday’s FA Vase defeat.
This meeting comes nearly two weeks after Thackley defeated the Huddersfield based side in the FA Cup to progress to the First Qualifying Round of the competition, where they will face Warrington Rylands on Saturday afternoon. At the time of that encounter, Golcar United held a 100% winning league record this season, which still stands, having, like the Dennyboys, not played a league fixture since. However, their hopes of a trip to Wembley completely vanished on Saturday when they were eliminated from the FA Vase on penalties by North West Counties Division One side New Mills FC. Goals from George Doyle and Alfie Wilkinson, either side of the break, were cancelled out by a Harry Dean double for the Millers, who claimed a 6-5 victory in a ‘sudden death’ penalty shootout. That opening goal in the Vase was George Doyle’s fifth goal in as many games, following his brace against Rossington Main in a 4-2 victory, a run that started in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round against Padiham FC. His only blank since that game was the next round against the Dennyboys, Danny Forrest will be hoping that his backline is able to keep him quiet again, however, the striker will certainly be one to watch.

After exactly two weeks without a league game, Thackley find themselves in seventh place in the table with seven points and 100% win record in their two home games so far this season, following victory in their last league game against local rivals Eccleshill United. This will be a run they are hoping to keep going against third placed Golcar, they have a maximum nine points from their three league games so far this season.

Thackley will also be hoping to bounce back from Saturday’s home defeat in the FA Vase. Where, despite looking the better side, saw their hopes of a run in this season’s competition slide away. A third minute equaliser, courtesy of Ahmed, was cancelled out as the visitors executed a masterplan, scoring two goals on the counter, to seal a 3-1 victory. The first of which came courtesy of Kyle Preece four minutes short of the half time break. Shakil Ali sealed progression for the visitors, as he scrambled home a bouncing ball from six yards out, a decision that Luke Wilson seemed to refute, after he was obstructed by two attackers when trying to claim the original cross. Some might say that it was a harsh defeat for the Dennyboys, given the manner of how the game panned out, but that is the reality of cup football and attention must now turn back to the league.

The last time the two sides faced each other was in the FA Cup, a second half Grech-Brooksbank goal was enough to seal progression for the Dennyboys, when he volleyed home a Sugden cross. Before Thackley threw their bodies on the line in the final minutes to seal progression to the next round. However, it still needed a stroke of luck, as Lawrence fired wide from close range in the dying minutes and Wilson smothered a cross with the last kick of the game.

Dennyfield has become something of an oasis in this league for Thackley and your support would be much appreciated as we hope to keep it going. Entry will be £6 for adults; £4 for concessions and free for any under 16’s accompanied by a full paying adult.