Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Thackley 3-0 Garforth Town
Thackley captain Paddy McGuire prepares to pass during the 3-0 win over Garforth Town
Paddy McGuire stole the headlines again with two goals in a victory which keeps surprise package Thackley in second place at Christmas.
Interspersed between McGuire’s strikes was a Craig Bentham header straight after half-time. Former Farsley Celtic midfielder Bentham’s fifth goal of the season killed the contest and allowed Thackley to comfortably see out the second half.
Effort-wise Garforth could not be faulted. The Miners just made the mistake of trying to carefully unlock Thackley, when a sledgehammer approach was required on the poor pitch. Garforth got in some good areas, but crucially failed to test highly-rated young Thackley goalkeeper Luke Wilson, who happens to live in Garforth.
The key difference was Thackley know their pitch and are at a stage where Garforth want to be in a year’s time. Garforth’s team has only been together for a few months, whereas Thackley’s is the product of careful building over two years. Chris Reape’s men are now a well-oiled machine and that showed in their latest professional display.
Three of the key men – Bentham, McGuire and striker Joe Brown, all of whom played in the Football League for Bradford City – are a joy to watch. Their clever movement and ability to hold onto the ball under pressure gave Thackley the edge as the first half wore on.
The visitors started well, but once as Thackley got to grips with the game, the chances soon racked up following a run of successive corners. Thackley were most dangerous down the left and the opener, on 34 minutes, came as a result of good hold-up play from Brown. He was able to teed up Ryan Farrell who sent a low cross towards the back-post where McGuire beat Garforth left-back Luke Kitson to score.
Paul Hagreen made a terrific save from Kris Hargreaves on the half-time whistle to keep Garforth in the game.
Unfortunately for Hagreen, his wonder stop went unrewarded as Thackley capitalised on poor defending a minute into the second half. Farrell again provided the assist with a cross that allowed Bentham to head home from close range.
The coup-de-grace was added late-on. Substitute Chris Wademan took down a free kick and laid the ball off to McGuire who finished with ease.
Jerry White takes the ball from Garforth striker Mark Simpson
Craig Bentham’s header effectively killed the contest
Eyes on the ball: Garforth defender Ryan Donoghue looks to win the ball
Thackley striker Joe Brown helped to orchestrate the opener
Thackley goalkeeper Luke Wilson was untested by his hometown club
What They Said
Thackley assistant manager Paul Clayton
Garforth Town manager Rob Hunter
The Teams
Thackley: Wilson, Hargreaves, O’Brien, McGuire (captain), White, Snowden, Farrell, Whiteley, Brown (Wademan 66), Bentham (Howe 76), Eustance (Broadbent 73). Subs unused: Joyce, Scott.
Garforth Town: Hagreen, Leach, Kitson (Allsop 55), Beaston (captain) (McMurrough 73), Donoghue, McCrum, Woodhead, Rose, Simpson (Dhesi 55), Hamilton, Turner. Sub unused: Poole.
Who Was In Charge
Lee Hible (7/10)
Unpopular in LS25?: Referee Lee Hible showing a yellow card to former Leeds United midfielder Simon Walton, who played for Garforth at the beginning of the season
Mr Hible deserves credit for having full control of proceedings, but it wasn’t his greatest performance. Garforth were upset at his decision to caution Sam Leach, Vincent Dhesi and Ryan Woodhead.
How Many Were There
108
NLY Man of the Match
Ryan Farrell
Thackley’s Ryan Farrell