Brighouse Town 2-2 Thackley
Laurence Sorhaindo denied Thackley a winning start to their pre-season campaign after he scored a late equaliser for Brighouse Town.
Had Paddy McGuire’s men held out, it would have been a tremendous result against a Northern Premier League outfit who have some real quality.
Brighouse started extremely brightly in the friendly played at the West Riding County FA headquarters in Woodlesford in East Leeds.
Striker Zeph Thomas’s early power-blaster into the left-hand top corner from inside the penalty area to place Brighouse ahead was perhaps deserved.
Thackley goalkeeper Luke Wilson had tipped a low bullet around the post during Brighouse’s early pressure.
Thomas also won an aerial duel with Wilson and been inches away from adding the second goal.
The dominance though counted for nothing by half-time.
Thackley slowly worked their way back into the contest and a superb finish from a tight angle from new forward Jahro Parchment – the former Campion man who played for Field in the West Yorkshire League last season.
Brighouse then gave away a needless penalty after Thackley’s clever wide-man Simon Poole was bulldozed to the ground.
Returning forward Albert Ibrahimi sent Brighouse goalkeeper Brett Souter the wrong way from the spot.
The second half’s hard work will stand Thackley in good stead. McGuire had a few players missing while Brighouse boss Vill Powell had plenty of players at his disposal.
For Thackley it meant some players had to play 90 minutes despite the team only training three times prior to the fixture.
The Dennyboys dropped deep and they had to soak up a lot of pressure but they defended well as a unit.
At the same time they were dangerous on the counter with their quick forwards.
Ultimately they were unable to hold onto their lead. With around 15 minutes left on the clock, ex-Silsden striker Sorhaindo produced a moment of magic with a mazy run which ended with him sending a rocket into the roof of the net past Thackley goalkeeper Mark Bower.
Brighouse are back at the County ground next Saturday when they will face Penistone Church. Thackley will visit Roy Mason’s Steeton on Tuesday night.