Fourth-placed Thackley kept alive their outside chances of promotion from the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division as they cut loose against the basement club.

A magnificent seven saw the Reds ease past struggling Brodsworth Welfare, although the first half was difficult. It was far from a sweeping victory and the 7-0 outcome was massaged by a three-minute treble late in game.

The Reds broke the deadlock in quick time when a good move in the fifth minute was completed by a close-range shot from Ross Daly. Another structured interchange of passes ended with Matt Mathers tapping home before the midway point of the first half.

But more than an hour had passed before Thackley added to their lead, substitute Nicky Matthews credited with the assist a minute after joining the fray. A shot from Matthews was blocked but Rob Morgan tucked the loose ball in.

Stuart Waite was also introduced from the bench in the second half and he threaded a pass into the path of Andy King for him to cut in and lash home a left-foot drive.

Brodsworth’s agony was compounded between the 81st and 84th minutes as Matthews got on the scoresheet with a shot that went in via the inside of a post, Daly bagged his second and then Matthews claimed his brace.

Reds spokesman Chris Frank said: “These are not the easiest of games to approach against a side that has picked up just two points all season. You cannot take a win for granted. The energy levels of our players paid dividends in the end.”

Neighbours LIVERSEDGE finally broke through the 30-point barrier with a superb result at Bridlington Town. The 1-1 draw was a credit to Sedge and it cost the east coast outfit top slot.

Brid went into the weekend as leaders and when they took a third-minute lead through Phil Harrison, they might have expected to canter to a win. But the visitors, who have been stranded on 29 points since mid-December, had other ideas and Jamie Wasley equalised in the 57th minute.

ECCLESHILL UNITED upset the odds in Division One as they earned a point at high-flying AFC Emley. The result did not lift the Eagles off the foot of the table but it was a second positive outcome for new manager Mark Senior.

Goals by Declan Corby and Richard Myers had put the visitors into a comfortable lead midway through the first half. But Emley hit back through Josh Ingram and forced a last-minute equaliser as Steven Kenworthy broke United’s hearts.

BRIGHOUSE TOWN stayed ahead of opponents Appleby Frodingham in the chasing pack behind leaders Leeds Carnegie and second-placed Emley. Town travelled to face their promotion rivals and extended the gap between them with a 2-1 victory.

Callum Dransfield broke the deadlock for the home side in just the second minute but second-half goals from Lee Burgess and Andrew Lockhart earned Town their maximum.