AHEAD of today's trip to table topping Grimsby Borough, Thackley boss Patrick McGuire has heaped praise onto his eye-catching forward line.

It was only a couple of weeks ago when Thackley found themselves lurking above the drop zone, but a recent surge in form has seen them head into the top half of the table.

In this period, they've managed to put four past both Goole and Silsden and McGuire suggested that his forwards have been electric in recent weeks.

He said: "There have been a number of positives to take from the victories against Goole and Silsden, but of course I have to give a special mention to the front three.

"We've had such a youthful front three in those two games, with a 17 (Frankie Sinfield- on loan from Halifax), 19 (Lewis Waddington) and 21 year old (Owen Murphy) leading the line. Their energy has caused all kinds of problems and it has given us something different when going into a new fixture.

"Their energy and pace has also helped force mistakes from the opposition defenders, it has stopped them (opposition) from having time to play the ball long and we've also been able to counter that with pace in behind.

"They're young, they're learning the game but the improvements are becoming more and more visible, week by week. As a striker, you need to be able to hold the ball up at points and I am seeing a big improvement in that aspect of their game."

McGuire added: "With the hard work comes the goals too. It's extremely pleasing that we've been able to score four in our last two fixtures.

"Before, it was a case of dominating games but not always taking our chances, and now everything seems to have clicked into gear for us.

"We usually start the games quite well, but we've found in the past that if you don't score in those moments, then it can come back to bite you.

"But now, if we score a couple of goals early doors, then the game can be pretty much wrapped up. We've experienced that in the last two games and raced into a 3-0 half-time lead in both."

Thackley face a huge test today(3:00 PM) when they travel to league-leaders, Grimsby.

Despite the Bradford side's recent surge in form, they know they will have their work cut out if they are not on their A-game for 90 minutes, but on the flip side, the away team have the capabilities of creating problems for any team.

Maguire said: "We will always play the way we want to play because we have a strong belief that they can't hurt us if we've got the ball, and that's the makeup of how we play.

"You do have to adapt to certain game situations, for example if a team is pressing you, but we do have the pace to go long and in behind as well.

"Everybody on the pitch is a capable footballer including the keeper, so this weekend will be no different for us.

"I don't know what Grimsby will expect off us because when they came to us earlier in the season, we had a man sent off early, so the game was almost decided there ad then and they went on to win 3-1.

"It will be a very tough game for us. They play some great football and they also suffered a surprise defeat against Handsworth last time out, so I'm sure they'll want to bounce back in the best way possible."