Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Paddy McGuire is delighted with the form of his three young Thackley forwards.
Lewis Waddington, 19, Owen Murphy, 21 and Frankie Sinfield, 17, are ripping sides to shreds at the moment.
Waddington has scored six times in five games while Murphy and Sinfield have been as equally dangerous in an attack that also includes Ben Grech-Brooksbank.
“We have a front four that is on fire at the minute with three really young lads leading the line which is great to see,” McGuire told Non League Yorkshire.
“Lewis Waddington who was our player of the month and who finished second in (the Non League Yorkshire November player of the month); he’s really found his form along with Owen Murphy and 17-year-old Frankie Sinfield.
“The three of them are gelling really well.
“We have that youthful exuberance where they are playing with no fear.
“Previously Lewis and Owen were putting pressure on themselves but now they are a lot more relaxed.
“They’re playing with confidence and getting their rewards and so are we.
“They must be a nightmare to play against because they’ll rat and press defenders and they have got the pace to get in behind and they are also able to hold the ball up with their backs to goal.
“With not having a budget to attract players, developing young players is something we have to put a lot of time into.
“To see such young players playing for us and amassing a great number of games it shows we are sticking to our principles and gaining success.”
Another young gun receiving praise from McGuire is goalkeeper Luke Wilson.
“The last two seasons haven’t even been completed so he would racked up more appearances,” he said.
“He’s only 23 so he’s got a bright future ahead of him because of all the experience he has accumulated.
“Luke’s a ridiculously talented goalkeeper and if he was above 6ft, there’s no doubt in mind that he’d be playing in the Football League.
“Two hundred games already is a cracking feat.”
Thackley are tenth going into the trip to leaders Grimsby Borough tomorrow and on a run of four games without a defeat.
Thackley have won two and drawn two and McGuire says it has been an important period.
“We identified this month as one we had to get results from,” he said.
“We were disappointed in the end to draw against Hemsworth and Knaresborough as we found ourselves in good positions in the games.
“I’m not saying we deserved anymore (than a point) by the end of those games but we didn’t capitalise after getting into healthy positions.
“We went into the Goole game which was played in horrendous conditions and with them being on a good run we knew it would be tough.
“We came through that with flying colours.
“On a rare occasion we were able to field an unchanged side for the Silsden game and we scored four again.”
Grimsby have yet to lose at home in the league but McGuire says his men are capable of causing an upset.
“I wouldn’t see it as a marker (of where we are) because it wouldn’t be beyond us to go to Grimsby and turn them over and then get hammered in our next game,” he said.
“That’s something that has happened to us more happen than I’d like to remember.
“We’re capable of beating everyone, we know that.”
McGuire also confirmed that Thackley have had a lot of interest in the assistant manager’s position.