The final friendly at Dennyfield ended in defeat for Thackley but it did not take anything away from a promising pre-season campaign.

The Dennyboys had mixed results in their warm-up games but have settled well under new manager Vince Brockie.

Tuesday’s friendly was a repeat of last season’s West Riding County Cup final but, unlike that day in the surroundings of Valley Parade, this time Thackley met Guiseley at Dennyfield.

“It was a very nice evening and there was an attendance of 150. We were genuinely pleased with that,” said Thackley secretary and spokesman Mick Lodge.

“Full marks to Guiseley for bringing their full side. We know we are a couple of steps behind them on the non-League ladder but they did us proud.

“The first half told its own story, with them 3-0 up because they were playing really good football and our lads were chasing shadows.

“But it was a very good work-out for our players and they benefited from it. In fact, the referee told me after the game that our players were stronger in the second half.

“I don’t know if that was down to Steve (Guiseley boss Kittrick) making changes or our lads playing for a place in tomorrow’s starting line-up because it’s the first league game.”

One thing is for sure, although Lodge will not blow his own trumpet about it, the pitch at Dennyfield has been improved immensely over the close season. Lodge and vice-president Richard Paley have put in a lot of the work to ensure that.

The whole committee have been very active on general ground maintenance and the facility is looking spick and span.