Thackley secured their spot in the NCEL Premier Division play offs in style after goals from Slater Barnes, Antony Brown and Luke Rhodes helped the side pick up a 3-0 win over Barton Town at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield.

Changes were made to the starting lineup, with new signing Harry Garman making his debut in goal in place of the suspended Luke Wilson following his red card last weekend and after incurring a 1 match ban. Harry Parsons also returned, and he took his place in the centre of defence which saw Rhodes move to left back and Morrisey start on the bench.

The visitors manged to start the game strongly, forcing the Dennyboys into some good defending and a number of important clearances, meaning the ball spent a lot of time in the air early on. As may be expected in this "must win game" there was likely a few nerves which on a hard bobbly pitch meant that Thackley had to grow into the game from the start.

Thackley’s reward for their strength at the back was the game’s first goal, this coming after 14 minutes when an initial effort from Ben Grech-Brooksbank following a good turn on the edge of the area forced a save out of Tom Nicholson, but Barnes would be the man in the right place at the right time as he had followed the strike in to comfortably tap home the rebound to give the Dennyboys an important lead.

One goal almost became two not long later when a corner from Lewis Sugden was met by a header from Matty Dempsey that looked to have the beating of the Barton defence and Nicholson, but this would ultimately just miss the mark.

From this point, the pace of the game slowed down, particularly as the Dennyboys were forced into an early substitution as Grech-Brooksbank was replaced by George Green, whilst a yellow card for Alfie Gibbon after half an hour would lead to more caution at the back.

Despite these factors, Thackley would maintain a good level of control of the game, with Barton having no moments of note in their search for an equaliser, leading to a quiet first period for new goalkeeper Harry Garman in the process.

This meant that half time arrived quickly, with there being all still to play for both in this game and around the play off race entirely. At the break, Beverley Town were drawing 0-0 against Tadcaster Albion, and Albion Sports were 2-1 down at Handsworth, meaning that at that point Thackley were in 4th position and would face Golcar United in the Play Offs, with Beverley Town finishing 5th and travelling to Hallam FC.

HALF-TIME: Thackley AFC 1 v 0 Barton Town

Thackley began the second half well and their defensive superiority continued to frustrate Barton, who continued to show no real promise going forward. Brown almost got free early into the second half, but rather than shooting he tried to cut back and the defender cleared, with the referee dubiously awarding a goal kick rather than a corner.

Brown would not be denied though, with the Dennyboys doubling their lead on the 55th minute. A ball was floated forward and it was flicked on to Brown arriving in the box, who this time struck the ball with an excellent first time volley that Nicholson had no chance of stopping to score a goal that gave the team some breathing room at a crucial time.

The game passed the hour mark with the Dennyboys continuing to defend well and maintain their lead, with them remaining disciplined under the pressure of the situation they found themselves in.

This wouldn’t stop Danny Forrest from giving the team a burst of energy as the game entered the later stages however, with Will Morrisey replacing Green, whilst Tawheed Ahmed was brought on to replace Finn Donovan.

As news of likely results elsewhere began to filter in, Thackley continued to play with belief and a clear focus on nothing but themselves, an excellent mentality in this situation.

This mentality would be rewarded in the 86th minute when Sugden whipped a free kick into the box that took a touch inside a crowded area before in a manner similar to Brown’s effort, Rhodes would receive the ball and score with a superb first time volley to put the game’s result beyond doubt.

The final whistle would soon follow this goal, with the Dennyboys being made to wait to learn their play off fate, but after some patience and even some phone calls, the team’s place in the play offs would be confirmed, leading to scenes of celebration amongst both the players and supporters. Beverley Town scored a 90th minute winner against Tadcaster Albion which meant that they would take 4th spot and face Golcar United, and Thackley would finish 5th meaning a trip to Sandygate to face Hallam FC. Albion Sports after being defeated 3-1 at Handsworth FC were the unfortunate team to miss out.

FULL-TIME: Thackley AFC 3 v 0 Barton Town

The celebrations at the end of the game will live long in the memory of those that were a part of them, but the team’s focus will now shift to their play off semi final, which sees them travel to Sandygate to face Hallam FC on Saturday 12 April 2025, who will no doubt be a tough task that the Dennyboys will embrace.

So far this season, Thackley defeated Hallam FC (2-1) in September 2024 at the Meridian Stadium at Dennyfield, and it was Hallam FC who won at Sandygate (3-1) in January 2025. The third meeting of the season between the two side has the play off final as the reward which will take place on 19 April 2025..

Thackley AFC team: Garman; Gibbon; Rhodes; Sugden; Dempsey; Parsons; Donovan (Ahmed 86mins); Mitchell; Brown (Hamdosh 90mins); Grech-Brooksbank© (Green 24mins)(Morrisey for Green 70mins); Barnes.
Unused Subs: Hamdosh.

Barton Town team: Nicholson; Abraham; W.Waudby; King; Williamson; Bulless; Broughton; Lovick; Papprill; Tait; Aydemir.
Subs: Green; Houston; Brown; Broadley; Wilkinson.

Thackley AFC scorers: Slater (14mins); Brown (55mins); Rhodes (86mins)

Barton Towen scorers: None

Man of the Match: Finn Donovan, picked by Match Sponsor Bell Truck & Van

Attendance: 268