Thackley begin 2025 when they host Goole AFC at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield on Saturday, should the fixture pass a pitch inspection by the Match Referee at 11am on the day of the game. Do keep an eye out on the Thackley AFC social media channels for further updates.

Following their convincing 4-0 triumph over table toppers Golcar United last weekend that saw a perfect end to 2024 and also saw captain Ben Grech-Brooksbank go joint top of the goal scoring charts for the league, the Dennyboys will be hoping to open the new year with another impressive showing, though they know that despite Goole’s position, they will be no easy task.

With the poor weather of the past few weeks expected to continue for this game, there will be another layer of unpredictability added as both teams adapt and attempt to play to their strengths in more difficult conditions.

Last week, there were also welcome returns to the matchday squad and starting XI of Antony Brown and Matty Dempsey who both returned from illness.

The Opposition:

Visiting the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield are Goole AFC, who it is safe to say have had a far from ideal season in the NCEL Premier Division.

Finding themselves at the foot of the table on 12 points and currently being nine points from safety, the Vikings have endured another difficult campaign, a theme that has been persistent since their return to the NCEL in 2018.

Scattered throughout this campaign have been some heavy defeats, with the team conceding six goals in fixtures against Tadcaster Albion, Albion Sports and Eccleshill United, whilst they have also conceded five to Rossington Main and Beverley Town.

Despite their struggles, there have been some notable moments of positivity for Goole, including a pair of 3-2 victories over Penistone Church and Knaresborough Town, whilst they also progressed past the Extra Preliminary Round in the Emirates FA Cup and have picked up points in some shows of resilience, coming from behind to draw with the likes of Barton Town, Pickering Town and Handsworth FC.

The team’s previous match will also be a reason for optimism, with this being a 3-1 victory over Tadcaster.

Goole have seen a large turnover of players this season, with their cup goal scoring heroes having departed the club, leaving the title of the club’s top scorer currently playing for them with Shay Muirhead, who has scored three goals in all competitions.

Curtis Davies, James Simmonite and Mark West have also been amongst the scoring, with them each scoring two goals.

With some good recent additions to the Goole AFC squad, this is going to be another tough NCEL fixture in which Thackley will need to be at their best to record a positive result.

Previous Meetings:

This fixture will be the second game between Thackley and Goole this season, with the first at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds resulting in a comfortable 3-0 victory for the Dennyboys thanks to goals from Finn Donovan, Grech-Brooksbank and Muhammet Tektas.

Notably however, Goole have a far from dreadful recent record at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield, with their most recent visits to Thackley coming in the 2023-24 season, a pair of visits that saw two wins for the team.

After dumping Thackley out of the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-2 victory in which they trailed twice, they returned later on in the season to seal a 5-2 win, with this game seeing them lead 2-0 less than five minutes into the game. Ironically, the defeat came at a time when Goole AFC were bottom of the NCEL Premier Division and the Dennyboys were in the play off positions, so there will be no-one at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield taking the opposition lightly tomorrow.

Admission Prices:

Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Dogs allowed on a lead