Thackley 6, Lincoln Moorlands Railway 1

Thackley cut loose again as they spanked struggling Lincoln Moorlands with six of the best to maintain the pressure on the three clubs above them in the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

It was a good win even though Lincoln contributed to their own downfall by having their skipper sent off. The incident came just after the half-hour mark and was far from controversial.

Thackley were 2-1 up and a ball into the area was spilled in an aerial challenge between Lincoln’s keeper, a defender and Reds striker Matt Mathers. The ball dropped kindly for Andy King and he shot goalwards.

With Lincoln keeper Ayden Duffy on the ground, King’s shot was heading for the back of the net. It was turned away by a superb diving save from Dave Frecklington and the midfielder marched off when the referee brandished the red card, before Luke Hudson buried the resulting penalty.

Rob Morgan had given the Reds a 13th-minute lead following an early free-kick and Mathers then doubled the advantage.

The visitors pulled one back from a 26th-minute counter attack which ended with Ben Good slotting in.

Nicky Matthews added the fourth Thackley goal 11 minutes into the second half and substitute Dean Walters also netted, before Matthews wrapped up the scoring in the last minute.

Thackley manager Dave Morgan said: “It was a big win, so I can’t really complain, but I was still not happy.

“With us 3-1 up and Lincoln a man down at half-time, it was always going to be over at that point. They knew they were not going to win from then on but why did that make our players lackadaisical?

“I was unimpressed with that and tried to change it with three substitutions and it worked to an extent with the late goals.”

In the lower tier of the same league, there was another win for leaders Brighouse Town but another defeat for basement outfit Eccleshill United.

BRIGHOUSE stayed four points clear at the summit following a 6-2 victory at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic after getting off to a flying start.

A brace from Danny Toronczak put Town 2-0 up inside the first ten minutes, with Danny Davidson, Matty Howgate and Darryl Leach all adding before the break.

The second half was an anti-climax as Matt Sparkes netted the final Town goal four minutes from time.

Andy Smith bagged the home side’s two consolations, one in each half with the second being from the penalty spot.

ECCLESHILL remained rooted to the foot of the Division One table after a 1-0 home defeat to Bottesford Town.

Craig Mitchell’s 75th-minute strike was enough to win it as the Eagles slipped to a third consecutive single-goal defeat.