THACKLEY manager Pat McGuire has surprisingly admitted that his side are disappointed not be coming up against Liversedge’s hotshot striker Joe Walton tomorrow, while brushing off suggestions that they are out of form in any way.

The Dennyboys manager said he backs his side against anybody, but feels that Walton’s suspension for the game at Sedge isn’t necessarily a good thing.

He explained: “They normally play quite direct with Oliver Fearon and Joe Walton up front, but I believe Walton’s suspended.

“We’re actually a bit disappointed with that because we had a gameplan set up to deal with him.

“They might try and do something different without him, but whatever happens, it’s never easy against Sedge. It’s a local derby, and a tough, feisty game.

“I hope it’s on, with the bad weather we’ve been having, because I’d fancy us to beat any team in this league.

“We actually tend to raise our game against the best sides, so I have no fears going into it.”

The Dennyboys have not won in three games, but McGuire felt his team put in an excellent performance in the 1-1 draw with Yorkshire Amateur last week..

He said: “I don’t think we’re out of form. We had a disaster at Garforth Town (a 6-1 defeat on November 16) but we had an early sending off. Sometimes you just have games like that and we took it on the chin.

“We were disappointed with the draw against Barton Town (three days later) because when you score three goals at home you should win, but we were sloppy at defending set plays.

“We then had two matches postponed, but it was a massive game against Yorkshire Amateur on Saturday and I thought we did really well.

“It was a great point and it means we go into the Sedge game full of confidence.”

The derby clash tomorrow will be tinged with sadness, after Thackley announced the sad passing of club president Mike Smith earlier this week.

Paying tribute to Smith, McGuire said: “When I first took the job at Thackley, we had a big meeting about where this club could go and to be fair, I asked a lot.

“But Mike was the one who put his hand in his pocket to support those plans, and I’ll be forever grateful for the lads he’s helped bring to this club to improve us.

“Regarding Thackley as a whole, he was chairman and club president, so you’d have to describe him as a true legend.

“He was real gentleman and just a nice fella.”

Smith will be appropriately remembered tomorrow, with McGuire confirming: “There will be a minute’s applause for Mike and we’ll be wearing black armbands too.

“Liversedge have said they’ll wear the armbands as well, which I thought was a nice touch of class from them.”

LOCAL NON-LEAGUE FIXTURES

FA Trophy First Round:

Bradford (Park Avenue) v Halesowen Town

Farsley Celtic v Altrincham.

Betvictor Northern Premier League North West Division:

Widnes v Brighouse Town

Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division:

Grimsby Borough v Eccleshill United

Liversedge v Thackley

Silsden v Athersley Recreation

Staveley Miners Welfare v Albion Sports

North West Counties League Division One North:

Holker Old Boys v Steeton.