Back in October Tadcaster travelled to Golcar, then second in the league, for the first meeting this season between the clubs losing 2 – 1, not helped by a debatable penalty fifteen minutes from time. This time round the visitors were top of the table but Tad came into the game after seven points from their last three matches.

Before kick-off, there was a minute-long applause in honour of Barton Town goalkeeper James Hitchcock, who was tragically killed at York railway Station on Wednesday.

Play was initially fairly even but the tempo of the game regularly disturbed due to a never-ending barrage of fouls from both teams. It took nearly half an hour before the first actual chance, when Wilkinson attempted a flick towards goal at the near post, forcing Green to make a difficult save to parry the ball away. It was the Taddy shot stopper again on 32 minutes getting down well to deny Petch.

Albion’s first real opportunity came on 37 minutes with Oli Norman battling two defenders in the box but without getting a shot away. Elliot Holmes was then fouled in the Golcar area but nothing was given by Referee Hawkins

Eventually though, Golcar took the lead just three minutes before the break: Petch pounced onto a weak back pass some 25 yards out and despite Green’s immediate dash to narrow the angle the forward coolly placed the ball into the top right corner before running into the away fans in celebration. 0-1

FIRST HALF: Tadcaster Albion 0-1 Golcar United

Tadcaster were right back into action as the second half kicked off, with Green making another great fingertip save not long after the restart, pushing the ball over the crossbar after a free kick by Nicholas Clee from thirty yards out.

At this point Tadcaster were struggling to break down the Golcar backline, as their fullbacks especially put in a great shift all game. However, the Brewers did produce one clear cut chance on 57 minutes as a piercing through ball from Fatlum Ibrahimi found Charlie Owen beating the fullback and into the box, but his shot met with a great save by keeper, Stead.

Luca Bolino, now recovered from a bout of flu, was on for Greenway on the hour mark bolstering the right flank whilst Ibrahimi made way for Andrew Shepherd on 67 minutes.

Bolino created a golden chance in the 70th minute for Elliot Andrew, crossing the ball to the striker unmarked in the box, but his volley sailed wide of the post. With fifteen minutes to go, and after another tense period for both sides, Golcar had the ball in the net with a rebounded strike, but it was quickly disallowed for offside.

It was a wake-up call for the home side, who immediately retaliated: Shepherd put a glorious pass to Luca Bolino but Stead was equal to the goal bound shot. Nevertheless, Andrew was waiting to pounce in the box and smashed the ball home off the upright for a dramatic equaliser. 1-1.

One more chance came Golcar’s way, Sam Green made the best save of the match as he made a reflex stop to avoid Rico Kilbourn’s header from nestling into the back of the net - a save of the season contender!

FULL-TIME Tadcaster Albion 1-1 Golcar United

Tadcaster now see themselves four points away from ninth place in the league although they have played more games than the teams above them. Golcar remain top but just one point ahead of Silsden who have a game in hand.

Elliott Andrew’s goal puts him joint top league scorer in all competitions. Well done Elliott!

The Brewers next match on the last Saturday of the year is away to bottom club Goole. Kick off is at 3.00 pm.

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match - Nathan Heaton

Tadcaster XI: Green, Owen, Wilson (Cassius-Gill 74’), Thirkell ©, Heaton, Holmes, Greenway (Bolino 60’), F.Ibrahimi (Shepherd 69’), Andrew, Kitchen, Norman (A Ibrahimi 89')

Report from Felix Cox - Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley