Next up for the Y&E is an away trip down to West Yorkshire to face Thackley in the 1 FA Vase 1st qualifying round. After the disappointment of Tuesday’s late defeat against West Allotment, it’s a chance to get back to start a journey on another road to Wembley!
Once again thank you to Dragontail Consulting for sponsoring our away games this season. It is greatly appreciated.
Thackley play in the Northern Counties East Premier Division, which like the Northern League Division One is Step 5. We’ve faced two teams from their league in the past 12 months or so—Tadcaster Albion and Pickering Town. They sit in 17th on 2 points after 4 games, having drawn 2 and lost 2. They did beat Albion Sports 2-1 last Saturday in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round. They followed that with a 2-1 defeat at home against Penistone Church in the league on Wednesday.
Last season they finished 18th in the league, just finishing above the relegation zone by a single point. A 90+5 min equaliser in a 3-3 home draw against Keighley Town on the last game of the season helped them stay up. Their home record last campaign was P19, W4 D4 L11. As we know from the Northern League, any team playing at Step 5 is a tough opponent and we will need to be on form to be able to progress to the next round.
As for the Y&E, it was a case of so near yet so far away at Step 4 West Auckland on Wednesday. An impressive first half display with two cracking goals from Ste Roberts and JL10 and a valiant defensive effort in the second half wasn’t quite enough. It was a performance to take pride in, and one we can build on today in West Yorkshire.
Once again there are a few injuries in the squad and a few players unavailable for selection. Nevertheless we have a good mix of youth and experience and Jacko will be looking to get a strong squad out today.
For those of you not making the trip to Thackley, the reserves are kicking off their home league campaign at Allens West this morning in an 11:00 kick-off against Kader Developemnt. Good luck to Paul, George Andi and the players today.
Hopefully another enjoyable away day following the Y&E