Match preview by Cayden Sands

Overview:

The games are continuing to come quickly for Thackley, with their latest test being a trip to Frickley Athletic on Tuesday night in the NCEL Premier Division.

Following Saturday’s victory over Tadcaster Albion at Dennyfield, the Dennyboys will travel in the hopes of picking up their fourth consecutive league victory after defeating Tadcaster twice, whilst also dispatching of Handsworth FC in between those two matches.

The Opposition:

Entertaining Thackley are a Frickley Athletic side that have had a difficult life in the NCEL since becoming part of the league in the 2022/23 season, with their first two campaigns in the Premier Division leading to 15th and 17th place finishes respectively.

This latest campaign has unfortunately been more of the same as of now for the once Northern Premier League mainstays, with the team having picked up just five victories so far in the league, with these results coming against the likes of Tadcaster and table toppers Albion Sports, the latter of which is easily the team’s best result of the season so far.

Goals haven’t been a rarity for the ‘Blues’, with their recent poor form not being a reflection of the team’s ability in front of goal.

Jack Varley leads the way in the goalscoring charts with seven goals to his name in the league, whilst Robert Guilfoyle has six and Jamie Tomlinson has notched three so far.

Previous Meeting:

The previous meeting between the two clubs came at the beginning of this season, with goals from Ben Grech-Brooksbank and Jake Holcombe helping guide Thackley to a 2-0 win at Dennyfield in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

Last season’s league meetings saw the teams both win their home fixtures, with Frickley picking up a 3-0 win in the first meeting of the season, before the Dennyboys would get their revenge in the reverse fixture, picking up a 2-1 victory on the day.

Ground Description and Directions:

Frickley’s Westfield Lane ground is a real gem of the West Yorkshire non-league scene, with the ground boasting an impressive old seated stand that can fit 490 spectators.

The ground’s capacity currently stands at 2,087 and there is plenty of standing room on all sides of the ground, with covered and uncovered areas being available.

There is also a clubhouse and a snack bar, both serving a variety of refreshments.

Those using public transport to attend the fixture are recommended to go to South Elmsall rail station before making the short walk to the ground.

The station is regularly served, being part of the hourly direct route between Leeds and Doncaster.

Drivers are asked to follow the the various signs to the ground upon entering South Elmsall.

(Directions Credit: NCEL Website)

Admission Prices:

Adults: £7
Concessions: £5
Under-16s: £2 (or free with a paying adult)
Dogs allowed on a leash inside the ground

(Admission Prices Credit: NCEL Website)