Late North penalty secures win for Swans against Thackley

A late Danny North penalty was the difference in a tightly contested game between the Swans and Thackley at the Easy Buy Stadium.

A game which could have gone any way and was looking like heading for a draw, before North came on, won the penalty, and dispatched it to secure a second win in two for the Swans against a spirited Thackley side.

There was only one change from Saturday’s opening day win over Rossington Main, Tom Waudby was away, and replaced in the side by Scott Matthews. Tom Davie returned to the bench with Josh Lacey unavailable.

The game began at a fast pace, both sides came out swinging. The ball was spent mainly in the midfield, with neither side getting a stronghold on the game. Thackley had a few half chances which came to nothing and were well blocked by the Swans defence. Anything the Swans created was dealt with by Thackley.

20 minutes in and Thackley had a men sent to the sin bin for dissent, referee Leon Westerman stamping out any verbal abuse early. The Swans had the extra man for ten minutes but couldn’t capitalize.

Nathan Hotte pulled up after 25 minutes and had to be replaced by Tom Davie, Fraser Papprill took the captain’s armband.

Ten minutes before the break, Thackley, now back to 11 men, had a free kick in a promising area. The free kick was on target but Ryan Musselwhite caught it with a good stop.

At the break it was level, the Swans were playing good football, just couldn’t piece together the final ball.

The second half saw Barton come out stronger, and were knocking on the door throughout the half. After the hour mark was a moment of contention as a ball over the top was picked up by Thackley’s goalkeeper outside the area. The referee and linesman waved play on, despite the ‘keeper being clearly out his area.

A corner was swung in and Sam Cable’s bullet header was well saved by the ‘keeper before the linesman flagged for offside. Will Waudby then cut inside from the right into the area, but his shot was just over the bar.

With ten minutes to go North was introduced for Cable, and with just a minute on the clock he received the ball and ran into the area. He was brought down by the Thackley defender and the referee pointed to the spot. Just as the game looked to be heading for a draw.

Up stepped North who slotted in the spot kick, to secure the win for the Swans despite a nervy finish. A clean sheet for Musselwhite and the Swans defence, and a strong showing from Barton.