THACKLEY'S draw with Athersley Recreation came much to the exasperation of assistant manager Andy Patterson.

The Dennyboys had just suffered a narrow loss against National League outfit FC Halifax Town in the West Riding County Cup but could muster up nothing more than a tame stalemate on their own ground.

Patterson said: "This season is just driving us to distraction. After playing so well against a very good Halifax team and getting plaudits from their management, we turn in a bang-average display against a side below us in our own league.

"There was an element of it being 'after the Lord Mayor's show' and we can give the players that one.

"Playing Halifax, at home in front of a big crowd, that's an easy game to get up for – but we didn't take the positives from that and ended up hanging on for a draw at home to Athersley.

"We did some good things in the game against Athersley but we underperformed overall and that's the frustrating part."

Going into this weekend, Thackley are 17th in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division, a far cry from this time last year when they travelled to Barton Town as leaders.

They romped to 4-0 win on Saturday, November 19 2016, with Craig Bentham, Dan Broadbent, Ryan Farrell and George Eustance all on the scoresheet.

Former Bantams youth striker Patterson said: "Last year was a bit special because we had that central core of players that played so many games together.

"The team picked itself because of form at first but we had so few injuries or suspensions that the lads just went on and on.

"We've got a rebuilt squad now and that makes a big difference. The players have to find a rhythm, they have to develop a bond and they have to get used to each other's way of playing.

"We can train them, we can coach them and they are improving as a group but they haven't found any consistency and that's one thing we can't give them.

"The consistency in team selection is also a big thing and that hasn't happened this season.

"When you think how few injuries we had last year – they say those things even themselves out – well we're certainly making up for it this year."