Thackley’s exceptional run of recent form faced its most searching of challenges at Rainworth MW but they came through with flying colours after a 5-1 win.

The Bradford side have elevated themselves into the top four of the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division and made a bold statement of intent with a big win at their second-placed hosts.

Manager Dave Morgan said: “This is probably the best performance since I have been here and I said that to the lads in the dressing room after the game.

“I also pointed out that I told them how I wanted to play the day I arrived and it has taken 20 games for them to get it right.

“Everyone played well and while Matt Mathers got a hat-trick, the supporting players deserve every bit as much credit.

“Luke Hudson was banging them in before we asked him to play in a wider role and in this game he and the central midfield pairing of Paul Maltby and Ross Daly have been immense. They have controlled the game.”

Mathers opened the scoring with a stooping header midway through the first half, before a floated Daly free-kick invited Rob Morgan to head home Thackley’s second early in the second half.

Rainworth hit back when substitute Craig Mitchell netted a shot in off the far post but the Reds did not allow that 65th-minute setback to affect them and went on to dominate the remainder of the game.

Mathers scored the third after a slalom run round five defenders by Nicky Matthews and also tapped in the fourth after a Hudson shot had rebounded off a post.

The scoring was wrapped up four minutes from time by Dean Walters, who netted within a minute of coming on from the bench.

LIVERSEDGE can almost match neighbours Thackley on recent form and they notched their fourth win on the trot with a 3-2 comeback victory at home to Dinnington Town.

Sedge had to come from two goals down as Charlie Weir and Mick Blythen netted in the first quarter of the game for the visitors.

Brook Newton pulled one back before half-time and Scott Ryan and Andy Philp completed the recovery after the break.

Brighouse TOWN stayed top of Division One following a wonderful 3-0 home victory over third-placed local rivals Emley.

Danny Toronczak headed Town into a first-half lead, before Nathan Cartman and Daryll Leach both converted Matty Howgate corners after the break.

Town boss Mark Brier said: “Our lads have been tremendous once again. Emley are a good side and still have two games in hand on us but we are six points clear of them now.

“Once we got to grips with the way they were set up and we stopped the threat from Steve Kenworthy, we looked a lot more settled. I think we dominated the second half with a ruthless performance.”

But while Brighouse sit at the summit, Eccleshill UNITED are back at base camp.

The Eagles had lifted themselves off the foot of the table recently but a 2-1 defeat at Rossington Main, coupled with a draw away from home by Worsborough Bridge Athletic, dropped them back into the basement.

The three goals came exactly half an hour apart. The first was from the penalty spot as Andy Culshaw gave the home side the lead with the only goal of the first half and Jake Vernon doubled their advantage on the hour.

Eccleshill refused to lie down and hit back through Andy Fieldhouse just before the final whistle.

But the point gained by Worsborough takes them back above the Eagles on goal difference, although they have played three games more.