THE Dennyboys’ assistant manager Andy Patterson has been scratching his head over the wisdom of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League’s planning which leaves his side with less than a quarter of their home games to play in the new year.

Thackley have played almost twice as many home games at this stage (11) as they have away (6).

It leaves them very few Saturday fixtures at Dennyfield in the New Year.

Patterson said: “I don’t know what kind of computer spits out fixtures as random as this but we only have five league home games scheduled after Christmas!

“That is going to have a big effect on our club for the second half of the season because we need games to keep the finances ticking over.

“We have had a lot of home games already but financially that doesn’t make sense.

“If you get a glut of home games it can have a negative effect.

“It can become a drain on the pocket of the supporters and they might pick and choose their games, if the fixtures are spread out they are able to come to every fixture.

“Most of the money we get in is from match days, through the turnstiles mainly but the bar and the catering also. Clubs at our level need that constant drip, drip of money coming through.”

The Dennyboys were delighted to host FC Halifax Town in midweek as the Shaymen pitched up for a second round West Riding County Cup tie.

It was a good time for the visit of their Vanarama National League neighbours as Billy Heath’s men were in a poor run of form and had a free weekend from league action coming up.

The Shaymen were looking to pencil in a friendly game for today but were glad of the tie at Dennyfield. Heath sent a strong squad and was pleased with the win.