Another bitterly chilly night greeted Tad at Albion Sports but the all-weather pitch at the Horsfall Community Stadium was in its usual immaculate condition, Sam Kitchen and Luca Bolino were back in the starting line up whist on loan Jamie Tomlinson was in his favoured position down the left flank. Their opponents stood fifth in the NCEL premier, well in touch with the other playoff contenders, whilst a win for the Brewers would ease their worries at the wrong end of the table.

It was unusual to see Junayd Cassius- Gill as a substitute in the dug out of the home side having departed the Young Guns Stadium during the week.

Sports started on the front foot but were pegged back in the sixth minute when a through ball from Olly Norman saw Jamie Tomlinson burst through the back line with a left footed low drive giving Jordan Porter no chance. 0 – 1.

On nine minutes it was Norman again opening up the home defence this time for Luca Bolino but Porter was first to the ball. Moments later Harper charged down the left flank but his cross was an easy take for Sam Green. On the quarter hour, ex Brewer, Luke Sharry, unleashed a shot from distance but again Green was well placed.

On 30 minutes, the hosts broke back with a good move down the left resulting with a pin point pass to Cox waiting in the area who was tripped by Mason Wilson,. Referee Isherwood pointed straight to the spot and Nathan Cartman sent Green the wrong way.1 – 1.

Almost from the restart Albion had the chance to score again but the shot was straight at the tad keeper. Tadcaster replied straightaway but Bolino was stopped in his tracks by Sharry for which a yellow card was produced.

The second half had hardly begun when Tadcaster doubled their score. In a move which started down the left flank, the ball was floated over to Olly Norman in space on the right, he dribbled round Sharry before hitting a hard low ball across the six yard box where Porter’s clearance rebounded off another ex-Brewer T’nique Fishley and into the back of the net. 1 – 2.

On 48 minutes the Lions had a chance to quickly equalize bur Wilson was on hand to make a last-ditch challenge, whilst almost immediately Norman put an inch perfect ball through to Bolino was then upended by the last man.

The hosts broke back on 51 minutes with a cross from the left side of the box which having eluded Ibrahimi, fell to the waiting Cartman who buried it in the right-hand corner . 2 - 2.
Khan put in a dangerous cross on 54 minutes but Green was ready whilst at the Albion end Ibrahimi almost put Tad back in front shooting from an acute angle which took all of Porters reach to tip it over. Tomlinson’s subsequent cross sailed narrowly over the waiting Greenway.

Manager O’Connell decided the time was right to introduce two of the substitutes with Fraser Middleton -Tozer and new man Dean Lisles taking over from Bolino and Charlesworth . However, on 82 minutes Albion took the lead when Cartman got his hat trick; Lisles’ pass was intercepted by Cassius – Gill who moved it straight onto Cartman who put his shot beyond the advancing Green 3 – 2.

Charlie Thompson replaced Greenway and then finally Lewis Shillito was on for Tomlinson with just three minutes of normal time left on the clock. Added time saw Taddy’s final chance with Kitchen curling a free kick to Lisles but his header cleared the bar.

This had been a really good performance by the Brewers against a Lion’s team, very much in the running for a play-off position. It was sad to see Cassius-Gill playing for the opposition but when, just before the final whistle, Andy Shepherd, looked badly hurt, it was the Ex Brewer first player on the scene to assist, thank you Junayd – we wish you the best.

The win keeps Albion Sports at fifth in the promotion places whilst Goole’s 2 -1 home win over Barton Town provided a life line at the other end of the table.

Our next match is Friday week the 14th of March when we play Albion Sports again but this time at the Young Guns Arena. KO 7.45 pm, Not one to be missed!!

Green, Charlesworth (Lisles), Tomlinson (Shillito) , Wilson, Smith, Ibrahimi ©, Kitchen, Shepherd, Bolino (Middleton- Tozer), Greenway (Thompson), Norman.

Report and Photos from John Clothier