The new team at the helm came into their first game in charge without defenders Andy Milne and Aiden Savory as well as experienced midfielder Pete Davidson.

Michael Ingham was in between the sticks after nine months out with a serious foot injury and the former Northern Ireland International captained the side.

Aaron Hardy, Danny Frost, Chris Howarth, Joel Dixon and Sam Akeroyd were all making their debuts for the club.

It was a scorching day at York St John University’s impressive Haxby Road Sports Complex, and the contest started extremely competitively with both sides battling hard to gain a foothold.

The visitors missed two half decent chances to break the deadlock in the opening minutes before Taddy did in the 21st.

Danny Frost has been brought to the club to score goals and that’s exactly what he did in this instance.

Frost was given a split second just inside the penalty area and he made no mistake driving into the bottom corner with his weaker left-foot.

‘First of many’ came from the watching on supporters.

The front three of Josh Greening, Tom Corner and Frost were intertwining delightfully and showed great promise for the season to come. They will undoubtedly be a handful for any defence.

You always seem to get injuries in pre-season, it’s just the nature of the beast and the unfortunate beneficiary on this occasion was Joel Dixon who was on the end of a heavy challenge and had to be replaced.

Half-Time: Taddy 1-0 Knaresborough Town

As expected, there were changes aplenty at the interval with Jason Stokes, Jake Ellam and Josh Grant all entering the sun covered field.

The second forty five was a much more commanding display from Morton & Collins’ side and they were rewarded with a second goal just eight minutes into the half.

The move started with Michael Ingham coming and claiming a free-kick before rolling out to Liam Shepherd getting Tad on the attack sharply.

Shepherd clipped it down the line for Josh Greening who beat his man and curled in the perfect cross with his weaker right-foot which allowed Jake Ellam to tap in his first for the club.

Conor Sellars was busy in central midfield dictating the play; getting it, giving it and keeping it moving.

The Brewers searched for a third goal and came close in the final seconds when Jake Ellam’s fierce strike from range was parried and substitute Piteu Crouz couldn’t quite turn
in the rebound.

Full-Time: Taddy 2-0 Knaresborough Town

Team: Ingham, Hardy, Howarth, Barrett, Mycoe, Akeroyd, Sellars, Greening, Dixon, Corner, Frost

Subs (all used): Lock, Grant, Stokes, Ellam, Crouz, Shepherd

All in all it was a good test in hot conditions and also good for the new look squad to play together for the first-time. Obviously it will take time for them to gel together as a unit.

Thank you to Knaresborough Town for the friendly and we wish you all the best for the rest of the season.

Taddy’s next pre-season outing is next Saturday when Doncaster Rovers visit the i2i stadium (3pm).