Joint manager Craig Skelton has challenged his players to find a “ruthless” and more clinical edge in front of goal as Thornaby FC prepare to hit the road for the first time in 2026.
After a winter schedule dominated by home dates and weather-enforced breaks, the Blues are finally heading back out on their travels in the Ebac Northern League.
After Tuesday night’s scheduled League Cup tie against fifth-placed Boro Rangers at Teesdale Park fell victim to the area’s big freeze, Skelton’s focus has switched to Saturday’s vital Division One trip to Newcastle Benfield.
“It would be great to hit the road and start as we mean to go on with more points,” said Skelton. “We want to become more ruthless in front of goal. Goals change games – and win games. I keep stressing that to the lads!”
It has been over two months since the Blues last completed a fixture away from home. Their trip to North Shields on November 22 was abandoned, meaning the last successful away day was back on Halloween – a 2-1 victory at West Allotment Celtic.
Following the frustration of Saturday’s postponement against Penrith, the join-management team of Skelton and Simon Kasonali wants to see the squad translate their solid recent form into away day points.
Thornaby head into the weekend with an encouraging record of just one defeat in their last four completed matches on home turf – and now it’s about enjoying an away date in the league.
Saturday’s fixture at Newcastle Benfield is a classic six-pointer. Benfield currently sit just five points above Thornaby, making the result crucial for both sides as they look to pull further away from the relegation zone.
Thornaby’s last outing was a gritty 1-1 draw with Newcastle Blue Star on December 20. Lucas Casson’s early opener was cancelled out just minutes later, and the team had to show immense character to hold on to the point after Casson was sent off on the hour mark.
Skelton said: “It was a shame we couldn’t get three points in our previous game. We scored early and then they levelled. Even after that, their keeper pulled off two fantastic saves. It is a case of trying to score those extra goals to give us greater daylight.
“We have to keep 11 players on the pitch and take our chances. Each team will have a spell of being on top, but you have to score goals when you are in the ascendancy. Like I say, goals change games. It’s as simple as that.”
A positive result on Tyneside this Saturday would provide the perfect momentum for Thornaby before they return to Acklam Road on January 17 for a date with Skelton and Kasonali’s former club, Marske United.
