WITHOUT a league victory in two months, it's been a tough time of late for Thackley and it doesn't get any easier with a home tie against high-flyers Emley today.

Last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Golcar United got off to the worst possible start after a lapse in concentration at the back resulted in the hosts striking after only 12 seconds, which of course, frustrated manager Patrick McGuire.

He said: “It’s infuriating, there’s no way to dress it up. A goal can happen in any moment, but you expect the lads to be focused and prepared from the get-go, and you don’t expect a defensive mix-up and lapse in concentration that early in the game.

“With them scoring so early, there was still a full 90 minutes of football to go, so we were lucky in that respect. Although it was too little, too late, I was pleased with the fight my team showed in the second half, although it’s an expectation of my players because I know the quality that they possess.

"What's disappointing is the goals we conceded, they were really poor. We looked at that as a big issue because if we'd defended properly as a team, then we might have come away with the points and that would have been big for the team's confidence moving forward."

Thackley's last league victory came on October 8 when they thrashed Yorkshire Amateur 4-0 away from home.

Since then, several games have been postponed and Thackley haven't delivered on the pitch. Reflecting on his side's recent run, McGuire said: "It's been tough because we've been plagued with injuries, suspensions and it's only recently that we've been able to call on what is potentially our strongest squad.

"After such long lay-offs, we know that it is going to take the players a couple of games to get back up to match speed. Thankfully, we were able to turn our attention to the cup in midweek to help get the team up to speed (3-2 win at Hallam). It was great to see a few of the lads back in the team after such long injuries, so we can certainly look up from here."

McGuire added: "It was only not so long ago that we'd lost one game in 11, but now we've had the flipside of that and the results aren't going our way. A part of that has been a bit of misfortune and a part of that has been to do with our own performance levels, but that's what happens in football and believe we've come through that period now and can look forward to Saturday's game."

McGuire's men face another tough test today, with second placed Emley coming to town, however, it's a test that the Thackley boss is relishing.

He said: "I actually think it's a test that suits us because we know that we must be bang on it, so the lads will prepare will. They know that they'll have to remain focused at all times, so this kind of test can bring the best out of a group.

"Emley are a big and physical side, they're getting the results and we are expecting another tough challenge.

"However, I believe that my team can beat anybody in the division on their day and hopefully, Saturday reaffirms that."