Scott Metcalfe and Aidan Chippendale nudged the hosts ahead on two occasions in the final twenty minutes at Dimple Wells but the resolute Brewers pulled it back both times through Casey Stewart. Stewart’s second of the night arrived deep into stoppage time to earn Taddy a thoroughly deserved point but one that the management team will still be somewhat disappointed with after dominating long periods. The result leaves Albion (of Tadcaster) needing a few favours sitting two points off a provisional play-off place with both Colwyn Bay and Colne holding a game in-hand in 7th and 8th respectively.

Brewers boss Michael Morton made two changes to the surprise home defeat to Radcliffe Borough as Jason Mycoe and Casey Stewart were recalled in place of Harry Sheppeard and Will Annan. Tadcaster made a bright start to the contest with Aiden Savory’s relentless running almost paying off in the first five minutes after hesitation between James Knowles and Neil Bennett almost allowed the forward to pinch in.
Savory was the man in the spotlight again a minute later when Billy Whitehouse’s corner kick was glanced just off target after cannoning off his shoulder.

Ossett’s first sighting at Taddy’s goal came on 11 minutes when a drilled corner was flicked goalwards by Joe Wilkinson but Ellis Barkworth instinctively headed off the line. However it was the Brewers who were firmly in the ascendency in the first half as Casey Stewart went close after quarter of an hour but his low bending shot was just gathered by goalkeeper Neil Bennett.

Pete Davidson, who has undoubtedly been one of Tadcaster’s stars this season, was impressing in midfield with his dominant presence and Ossett were struggling to get to grips with his powerful pressing as he won the ball back time and time again. Davidson stormed onto the scene once more to win possession back for his side before setting Billy Whitehouse away down the right-hand side but his cross was too high for Casey Stewart. Tom Young, who was still deputising for Michael Ingham, had a rare piece of goalkeeping to do in the first half as Marcus Day’s turn and shot was comfortably stopped. Straight up the other end Taddy went and a moment of controversy arose seeing the bench go up in arms. A ball in behind Ossett’s back-line was pounced upon by Aiden Savory before the number ten received a hefty barge in the back right on the periphery of the penalty box. It looked incredibly tight as Michael Morton shouted for a penalty but David Holbrook awarded a free-kick instead, much to the dismay of the visitors. Incidentally, Savory curled the resulting free-kick off target.

Billy Whitehouse was also getting some joy down the right-wing as another burst to the by-line culminated in a chipped cross landing perfectly for Casey Stewart but he didn’t get hold of the volley. Moments later and Billy the whizz was off racing down the right before driving a brilliant ball across the face of goal but Stewart started his run a fraction too late.

The two aforementioned Albion forwards combined five minutes into the second half after breaking out from an Ossett corner. Stewart pointed to the space in behind and Whitehouse obliged sliding the Taddy number nine in on goal down the left-hand side but his effort was well thwarted by Neil Bennett. Bennett’s opposite number responded with an even better stop of his own to keep out Harrogate Town loanee Marcus Day’s fierce strike.

With the contest approaching the hour mark, Taddy somehow failed to take the lead after Aiden Savory drove across the face of goal to Chris Howarth who remarkably turned over the goal from two yards out with the goal gaping.
Nevertheless it was a superb start to the second half for Morton & Collins’ side who were piling on the pressure delivering multiple set-pieces into the box and looking a real threat.

A bizarre moment then occurred twenty minutes into the half as Ossett’s goalkeeper sprinted across to the touchline to take a phonecall before running down the tunnel, whatever the news was we hope it was positive. Owen Brooke pulled on his gloves and replaced Bennett.
The hosts appeared to ride the powerful Taddy wave unscathed as they then enjoyed a spell of pressure with Adam Priestley and Aidan Chippendale both testing Young, the latter being a very decent stop to tip a dangerously curling effort from range away.

However Ossett Albion did in fact break the deadlock in the 71st minute as a cross was cleared out to captain Scott Metcalfe who unleashed a thunderous strike from 27 yards out almost breaking the net in the process. The Brewers were determined not to let the game slip away from them though as they levelled five minutes later. A long ball forward was controlled by Aiden Savory who slid Casey Stewart in behind and he made no mistake sliding carefully into the bottom corner.

Another twist was just around the corner though as the hosts nudged ahead for the second time with just seven minutes remaining. Aiden Chippendale chopped inside Ellis Barkworth and rolled past Young into the opposite corner. Ossett then took the ball into the corner as expected and incidentally held it there for a good two-three minutes, but it wasn’t enough as the resolute Tadcaster side responded again.

In the second minute of four indicated at the end of the half, Aaron Hardy floated a free-kick into the danger area resulting in a horde of blue shirts going for it but it was Casey Stewart who got the last touch glancing into the back of the net to earn Taddy a point.

Full-Time: Ossett Albion 2-2 Taddy Albion

Ossett Albion: Bennett, Wilkinson, Ubah, Young, Knowles, Grant, Priestley, Chippendale, Porritt, Day, Metcalfe©
Used: Harley (81), Mbeka (65), Brooke (65)
Unused: Dawson, Hardaker

Tadcaster: Young, Barkworth, Hardy, Roper (Pugh 84), Mycoe, Barrett, Howarth (Langton 81), Davidson, Stewart, Savory©, Whitehouse (Annan 77)
Unused: Sheppeard, Sellars