Thackley will defend their Northern Counties East League Cup after knocking out two of their Premier Division counterparts in the last two rounds to reach the final.

Outgoing boss Vince Brockie had expressed a desire to win the trophy for a second season on the trot as a parting gift.

The former Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers midfielder is leaving his role at the end of the campaign because of an increased workload in his job as a coach at Barnsley.

Brockie was aware it would be an uphill task as their path to the final was already set. The Dennyboys knew their quarter-final and semi-final opponents because other rounds had been completed before Thackley reached the last eight.

Premier Division champions Scarborough Athletic and Worksop Parramore, who were also above Thackley in the table, were lying in wait.

The Seadogs were humbled 6-0 in the quarter-finals and Worksop were despatched after a 2-0 win in the last four.

Spokesman Mick Lodge said: “It has been a terrific effort from Vinny and the lads. We never dreamed we would get to the final again given the strength of the opposition we were facing but we did it and everyone is delighted that our season has been kept alive.”

The club secretary will miss the showpiece though, against Division One outfit Louth Town at Staveley MW FC on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).

Lodge said: “I won’t be there unfortunately. I’m jetting off to Dubai this weekend.

“The trip was booked a long while ago and it should have been after the season but the bad weather over the winter meant the season was extended.

“We should have had our last league game on the final Saturday of April and the cup final was pencilled in for the midweek. Just shows that you can take nothing for granted.”