Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Thackley 0-1 Maltby Main
Ryan Carroll scored the winner for Maltby Main at Thackley
Maltby Main striker Ryan Carroll got the winner as two of the Division’s form sides met at Denneyfield in this eagerly anticipated fixture.
Thackley were hoping to extend their seven-match unbeaten run to seven games, while Maltby were searching for an eight win in nine league matches.
Main made a number of changes to the starting line up from the recent Cup game against Penistone, with six on the injury list and one away with work commitments there were places on the bench for 17 year old William Wraith and the returning centre–half Danny Reilly. First team Coach John Stancliffe came out of retirement again to fill in the Keepers position for the absent Jamie Bailey.
Although Thackley forward Andrew Wood hit the crossbar. Main started on the front foot creating several opportunities in the first ten minutes. Live-wire Striker Steve Hopewell was brought down in the box on 10 minutes, but the resulting spot kick from Gary Hibbert was well saved by Thackley goalkeeper Danny Coleing.
On 19 minutes the deadlock was broken with an excellent five man move being finished by young Carroll, whose recent form has been exceptional.
The game flowed from end to end in the second half and both sides had good opportunities to score. Stancliffe made some excellent saves and the Main back line defended well to keep a clean sheet. Substitute and debutant William Wraith, 17, almost made it a debut to remember when he came close to doubling Main’s advantage with minutes to spare, with his effort just going wide.
Maltby Main co–manager Spencer Fearn: “This was one of our performances of the season. We had seven players who have been regularly involved missing through injury or work commitments, but this result highlights what a good squad of players we have available. The effort levels yet again were first class and to be fair we could have had the game wrapped up in the first 15 minutes.
“Credit to Thackley though who had some good opportunities in the second half and pressed well for the equaliser. You can see why they were unbeaten in 10 before today. Overall Mark (Askwith) and myself are delighted to come away with three points and keep up our recent good record in the league, there were some big performances from our players today.”
Thackley: Coleing, Bentham, White, McGuire (captain), Hudson, Snowden, Farrell, Whiteley, Wood, Brown, Dugdale. Subs: Cohen, Pett, O’Brien, Beckles, Garrod.
Maltby Main: Stancliffe, Waite, Hibbert, Swales, Austin (captain), Hemmingway, Forster, Darker, Carroll, Hopewell, Rigby. Subs: Ballington, Wraith, Reilly, Poole.