Thackley 0, Garforth Town 3: The upbeat mood at Dennyfield on the night Thackley were presented with a new strip after landing a sponsorship deal was flattened by an excellent second half display from visitors Garforth Town.

Thackley went into the Northern Counties East Premier Division clash with their Leeds-based rivals full of optimism. A goalless draw at Buxton on Saturday had seen them get their season off the ground with a hard earned point.

Their first home game began with a feeling of anticipation but after a good 45 minute showing they slipped to a demoralising defeat.

Midway through the first half Andy Patterson headed just over from Martin Packer's pinpoint cross to the far post.

Packer was again the provider just after the half hour when he fed Dave Cunningham but the midfielder's chip from the edge of the area was tipped over by visiting keeper Danny Taylor.

Just six minutes after the break Garforth netted the opener, though it did have a touch of fortune about it. Micky Amos was outside the area when he struck his shot but it took a wicked deflection as it left Thackley keeper Aaron Brian stranded.

Town's Taylor made another save to deny Wayne Metcalf before the visitors snatched a second. Home keeper Craig Sugden sold Brian short with a weak back header.

The keeper was forced to attempt to head clear as he reached the edge of his area but the ball fell to Amos and he headed into the unguarded net.

The unfortunate Brian's evening continued as 18 minutes from time he was adjudged to have pulled down an attacker and Ryan Haigh scored from the resulting penalty.

"It was a real disappointment because we were the better side in the first half and were reasonably confident going into the second half," said Thackley press officer Stuart Willingham.

"Garforth deserved their win but it did ruin the atmosphere a bit because we had these two joint managing directors here from a company who have spent a lot of money to back us and it was a shame that we didn't do it on the night."