REPORT | Shields Too Strong For Albion

Gavin Cogdon broke Albion’s shield on the half hour mark after jinking into the box and driving into the far corner.

Despite Taddy rallying in the second half, South Shields made sure of the victory in the dying stages courtesy of forward Carl Finnigan.

It was always going to be an extremely tough challenge for Michael Morton’s men who post-match was slightly disappointed with his lack of fire-power going forward.

Morton intended to go with the same eleven that dispatched of Brighouse Town on New Year’s Day but Pete Davidson was only fit enough for the bench so Aaron Hardy started.

Taddy actually had the first opening, well, kind of.

Lawrance Hunter played a neat one-two with Joe Pugh before threading in behind but Tom Corner could only stretch and poke out for a goal kick.

As expected the Mariners dominated the ball and continued to push and probe in the early moments.

You could see how experienced and well-drilled they were, led by captain Julio Arca who as they say, has still got it.

Orchestrating play from the centre circle and seeming unflappable throughout at the age of 36.

Taddy were still on level terms after 20 minutes thanks to a sublime last ditch challenge from skipper Andy Milne.

A minute later and Morton was forced to change his hand as Adam Baker dropped to the floor and couldn’t continue which opened the door for Conor Sellars to make an early introduction.

Nevertheless Shields continued to ramp up the pressure as they looked to bounce back from their New Year disappointment.

Albion were almost a testament for their own downfall as Corey Roper gave the ball away on the edge of his own box which led to Carl Finnigan being found but he could only poke tamely at Ingham.

The vast majority of their attacks started with right-back Alex Nicholson getting the ball and driving down the flank before feeding either Cogdon, Pattison or Finnigan, who were left to create the magic in the final third.

The deadlock was broken in the 31st minute as the Mariners netted a goal to show for their efforts.

Aaron Hardy tried to cut out a cross-field switch but after missing out the ball quickly found it’s way to Gavin Cogdon who drove into the box, cut inside Andy Milne and clipped powerfully into the far corner.

The league’s high-flyers weren’t letting up though as Matthew Pattison jinked inside Savory and fired just over the bar minutes later.

Taddy were doing reasonably well to limit the chances, but they did have Michael Ingham to thank seven minutes from the break.

Finnigan was found just a few yards out on an acute angle and was terrifically kept out by the Northern Irishman before Andy Milne dug Cogdon’s follow-up header off the line.

With opportunities few and far between for the Brewers, Joe Pugh had the last action of the first half after curling a free-kick harmlessly over from 27 yards out.

Albion came out in the second half seeming rejuvenated and revitalised immediately getting on the ball more and picking up the pieces.

Having said that, Ingham was called into action again five minutes into the half.

Pattison executed a lovely reverse ball in behind to Finnigan who couldn’t beat the huge figure they call ‘Ingy’ as he stood tall and denied the shot.

A couple minutes later and Morton was forced to make another alteration as left-back Lawrance Hunter pulled up and was replaced by Jason Mycoe.

Gavin Cogdon shone at Wembley in the FA Vase Final back in May, and the slippery forward was looking lively again.

He jinked in and out and then some more before his blocked shot dropped to left-back Lough who’s sizzling strike was well held by Ingham.

The one moment of controversy in the match came on the hour mark as Carl Finnigan caught Josh Barrett with a loose arm.

This upset the Taddy players and bench as Barrett suffered concussion and as a result was forced off, a third enforced change.

A yellow card was the decision from the referee and Josh Greening came on in Barrett’s place with Aiden Savory filling in at the back.

As the pitch began to cut up due to the heavy rain that has fallen over the week, Taddy slowly started to grow in confidence and sniff out a potential point with twenty minutes to go.

The visitors slowly began to drop their back-line allowing Albion further up the pitch.

Having said that though Morton’s side were struggling to lay a finger on Shields despite getting into some good positions.

Back up the other end and Ingham was shining again in between the sticks as he somehow kept the deficit at one throwing out a hand to tip over Dillon Morse’s close range flick.

But there is only so much Ingham can do as Shields doubled their lead five minutes from time and made absolute sure of the points.

A long ball caught out Taddy as Jamie Holmes ran clear on goal but just as Ingham did outstandingly well to stop the substitute, Finnigan turned in the rebound after Holmes squared.

The Brewers huffed and puffed and contested valiantly but only recorded their first shot on target in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Joe Pugh danced in between two defenders before forcing Connell into making a comfortable save.

Full-Time: Tadcaster Albion 0-2 South Shields

Tadcaster: Ingham, Hardy, Hunter (Mycoe 52), Roper, Milne©️, Barrett (Greening 62), Baker (Sellars 22), Howarth, Corner, Savory, Pugh

Subs Unused: Davidson, Stewart

South Shields: Connell, Nicholson, Lough, Shaw, Morse, Arca©️, Smith, Storey (Richardson 75), Cogdon (Holmes 69), Pattison, Finnigan (Juul 87)

Subs Unused: Scott, Lister

Att: 657