TAFC 6-3 Maltby Main

Tadcaster Albion kicked off the 2015/16 season with a 6-3 mauling of Maltby Main with goals from Nick Black, Jimmy Beadle, George Conway, Liam Ormsby and a brace from Joe Thornton.

Manager Billy Miller was taking charge of his first competitive match and he made two changes to the side that lost to Spennymoor last week in a pre-season friendly. Andy Milne and Adam Baker were welcomed back into the starting eleven with Tom Claisse and Danny Stimpson dropping to the bench.

Adam Baker starting on the right wing after recovering from a broken nose began the match extremely lively taking on and beating his man time and time again and it was the former Railway man who had the first effort at goal. Liam Ormsby's cross from the left evaded everyone and bounced to Baker who acrobatically sliced one over the crossbar.

The Brewers as a team were bossing the opening stages of the contest with cute flicks and composed crisp passing. Joe Thornton starting on the left flank had the first shot on target with a sweet volley however it was easily held by the Maltby goalkeeper Rusline.
Baker, Black and Greening were all linking up beautifully for Taddy, they always seemed to be on the same wavelength and to be honest was a joy to watch on a lovely summers day.

In the 18th minute Albion took control of the encounter as full-back Jordan Armstrong drove down the right and ran at the Maltby defence and they couldn't resist a nibble as Armstrong was brought down, penalty kick awarded. Liam Ormsby stepped up and coolly side-footed into the top right corner.

Tadcaster never looked like relenting as the first half wore on, the lads looked incredibly hungry to take the game to their opponents in which they did by netting twice in two minutes shortly after the half hour mark.

Nick Black was making his competitive debut for The Brewers after signing from Garforth Town and he appeared to be revelling up top, winning headers left right and centre and he got on the score sheet after 35 minutes. Jimmy Beadle and Josh Greening originally raced through on goal however the move fell through but it was recovered and Greening rolled a cross delicately to Black who struck under the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Just a matter of seconds later and Tadcaster Albion were really in control as they went 3-0 up. Joe Thornton found himself in a huge pocket of space and he was picked out and without no hesitation Thornton went for it on the half-volley and executed it to perfection. Off the laces of his left-boot Joe powered the ball into the top right corner clipping the underside of the crossbar, brilliant goal.

Half-Time: Tadcaster Albion 3-0 Maltby Main

The half-time break obviously helped the visitors and somewhat hindered the home side as Maltby pulled one back four minutes into the second half. Dean Conway set his sights on goal as he put his foot on the ball and curled one into the bottom left corner.

With the visitors pulling a goal back it didn't stop Tad going forward however as every time they attacked they looked like scoring and almost immediately netted a fourth. Nick Black received the ball from a throw-in way in his own half and he superbly turned his man and powered away to then find Jimmy Beadle who looked up and set Josh Greening away who cut inside onto his favoured left-foot and shot but again it was saved and Thornton's follow-up was off target.

Moments later however it was four, and extremely similar to the previous chance as Greening cut inside and went for goal but this time it cannoned off the crossbar and Joe Thornton was on-hand to find the bottom corner.

The match became incredibly open which sparred end-to-end scenes and the visitors fought hard in the second half and could have scored a second if it wasn't for Jordan Armstrong's incredible goal line tackle. Maltby Main did find the back of the net for the second time just minutes later as a superb cross was nodded in by Ben Thornton.

Substitute Josh Barrett looked really sharp when entering the fray, his first thought was always to simply run at defenders with power and pace in which he executed remarkably and in fact the winger almost scored with his first touch, his hooked shot was brilliantly saved by the Maltby stopper. Barrett was involved again in the next attack as he outstandingly took on and beat four players to then be brought down. Midfield maestro Jimmy Beadle stood over the free-kick and blasted it into the back of the net, it certainly stayed hit.

It was six up for Tadcaster with six minutes to play as Paddy Miller carried the ball out of his own penalty area and steamed up the pitch to the half-way line where he released substitute George Conway who fired the ball high into the near corner.

The goals weren't finished there as Maltby scored their third as Yousefi trundled the ball over the line from a low cross.

No it wasn't last goal wins before you ask, however Albion nearly had the final goal as Josh Barrett again cut inside from the left and let rip, it was a fantastic strike although unfortunately it was well saved and that was the end of things.

Man of the Match: Joe Thornton
Full-Time: Tadcaster Albion 6-3 Maltby Main