Macron NCEL Premier Division - Game One
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26/07/25 - Thackley vs Wombwell Town
It was a disappointing opening day outing for The Wellers who fell to a single goal in their first game at Step Five. Hosts Thackley had a good campaign last season, but with virtually a brand new squad and management, the hopes were there to take something back to Wombwell, but with a number of players missing it forced striker Ollie Fearon to start at centre back and midfielder Jack Wilson stepping in at left back. The home side had the majority of the possession in the early stages, but there was a half-hearted appeal for a penalty after just four minutes as Danny Youel took a tumble in the penalty area. Thackley went close on a couple of occasions at the other end, but couldn't find the target as the game swung back in their favour. The 17th minute saw a ball into the box finding Wellers' debutante Alex Peterson, but he was stopped from taking his shot with a push from behind and the referee awarded a penalty. Up stepped last season's top scorer, Jordan Kershaw, but he was denied with a fine save by Liam Wilson who was quick to regain composure and deny Morgan James' volley on the rebound to deflect the ball off the left hand post and behind. There were further half chances for both sides, including a tight offside call to deny Jamal Stewart who volleyed into the far side netting from a tight angle just in case the flag stayed down. Half Time: 0-0 The Wellers came out energised in the second half, but it was Thackley who took the lead on 53 minutes as Sebba Malkowski denied the first effort on the line, but could do nothing on the follow-up by Paul Walker who was unmarked at the keeper's left hand post. The visitors kept pressing for a goal and almost found an equaliser just two minutes later as a second successive corner by James found Youel in the area and the midfielder's volley had to be tipped over by Wilson in a stunning save. With eight minutes to go substitute Nick Guest won the ball on the right wing and had time and space to race forward before finding Ollie Fearon in the penalty box, but the effort was scuffed and saved comfortably by the keeper. Another corner saw Kershaw head into the ground and watch as the ball agonisingly bounced over the crossbar. One last corner in added time saw Malkowski race up to try and salvage a point, and almost had some luck with a header blocked on its way to goal, but the clearance was made before time ran out a minute later. It was the first time the Wellers had ever lost their opening game of the season, and will now focus on their first ever FA Cup tie - away at Horbury Town on Saturday 2nd August. Thackley - 1 Paul Walker (53) Wombwell Town - 0 None Attendance: 334
Images from this season can be found on the GALLERY page.
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