Chris Reape claims that availability issues and poor defending have hampered Thackley’s start to the season
Availability issues and poor defending have stalled the progress that Thackley made at the end of last season, according to Chris Reape.
Thackley have had an inconsistent start to the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division and only climbed out of the relegation zone on Wednesday night after winning at Albion Sports.
The Bradford-based side were a match for anyone after Reape was appointed 12 months ago, but since August that has been a different story.
Reape told Non League Yorkshire: “We’ve been on a terrible run, but in some games we haven’t played badly.
“We were 2-0 up against Cleethorpes and should have got something from that.
“It is about defending and we have been poor at times. We went to Worksop and I don’t know whether they would agree with this, but they scored four goals and they were all from set-pieces.
“It was really disappointing because we had played really well. That has been the story of the season, but there is a really long way to go.
“Unfortunately we haven’t had a consistent side since the start of the season.
“I don’t think I have put the same side out for two games running.
“It is really frustrating because we had a really good pre-season and I know that you don’t go off pre-season results, but we looked good.
“I was quite happy because we retained the same from last year and added three or four.
“Hopefully now we can build on Wednesday night because it was a massive boost.”
Reape’s selection issues were at the forefront on Wednesday when three players dropped out during the day.
He does though expect to have Craig Bentham and Ben Cohen back for the trip to Staveley tomorrow.
When asked about Thackley’s aims for the season, Reape added: “We’re not going to compete at the top because we haven’t got the finance.
“I would like to think we would have been mid-table or top ten if we had everyone available each week.
“I read before the season started on Non League Yorkshire that we would be match for anyone and I think that would be the case if we had everyone available.”
Non League Yorkshire’s charity tournament takes place tonight (Friday). The event is scheduled to finish at 10pm and you can pay on the door. Email info@nonleagueyorkshire.com or click HERE for further information.