Thackley 2

Armthorpe Welfare 0

Armthorpe underlined their battling qualities when they proved hard to beat - even after losing their goalkeeper to a red card before this Northern Counties East League Premier Division clash was an hour old.

At that stage the game was still goalless, but instead of the floodgates opening the visitors dug deep into their resilient streak.

It took a great effort from Thackley to finally put them to the sword.

"We got the three points and we are very pleased with that because we didn't play particularly well after their keeper went," said Thackley boss John Boyle.

"They packed their defence and made it difficult for us. Sometimes it is harder against ten men than it is against a full side.

"Their tactics changed and they dropped back to settle for a draw. It was up to the attacking side to find a way through.

"We got dragged into that mentality, and I think once we scored some of our players thought that would be enough. One goal never is and they gave us a scare late on before we got our second.

"At 1-0 up we sat back and invited them on to us. That is a dangerous game against any side and Armthorpe could have pinched a point."

The match marked the debut of new signing Luke Caulfield, who Thackley have picked up from Huddersfield Town after his release from work experience.

He came straight into the centre of midfield at Dennyfield and showed a lot of his qualities.

It was a fine debut for the young man and he created the second goal with a defence- splitting pass.

Boyle was delighted with the first showing of his latest charge and feels Caulfield will only get better when he has time to settle into his new surroundings.

Following an even first half, it was just nine minutes after the interval when Welfare's keeper Gary Stretham had a rush of blood. He raced outside his area to challenge Lee Reilly and was sent off after the home attacker was left on the turf. Midfielder Jason Brown was handed the goalkeeping jersey but it was some time before the home side tested him.

Thackley eventually made the breakthrough in the 75th minute with a wonderful strike by Mark Senior from a direct free- kick.

Thackley keeper Dave Bainbridge had one very good save to make late on but Reilly made the points safe with an assist from Caulfield in injury-time.