The spring weather greeted the players and huge crowd for the final of the play offs for a position next season in the Northern Premier League Division One East – Step Four in the Non-League Pyramid. Injuries picked up in the semi final meant a slightly different line up for the Brewers, but hopes were high, nevertheless. In the two league matches between the clubs this season Tadcaster had won the home game and drawn away but Beverley had been second in the league most of the season behind already promoted Liversedge.

Beverley started the stronger with Glen Sani, who would be a thorn in the Albion side all afternoon, testing Ally Hughes and then striker Cameron Connelly putting in a dangerous cross cleared by George Pearson. On six minutes a close-range header from Andrew Norfolk looked to be on its way but hit the bar and away to safety.

On ten minutes a defence splitter just eluded Oliver Green as the Brewers battled back and a good throw in from Curtis Senior for Miguel Cassama went harmlessly for a goal kick. Nevertheless, the pressure from the hosts was unabating; Senior cleared a dangerous cross, whilst full back, Larkin, shot over the bar. Sani found room on the right flank, but his cross cleared the goal area .

On the half hour Jayden Clark-Thompson was inches away from a goal on a rare attack from the visitors before Oli Norman broke down the right flank before being fouled – the free kick an easy take for keeper Overton. Beverley went close with Connelly’s shot just wide of the near post.

On 34 minutes Pearson needed attention for a cut to his leg but was able to continue. Great defending from Pearson denied Snelgrove, the hosts leading goal scorer, whilst Hughes saved well from Opoku on the end of a corner. Ryan Qualter foiled Connelly’s shot as half time approached with Albion having the last action with a wide volley from Pearson.

Goalless at the interval was as much as Tadcaster could have expected – some great defending but little up front.

The second half started well for the Brewers with Norman shooting from an acute angle but Overton equal to it, whilst at the other end Hughes made a brilliant interception as Beverley sought to open the scoring.

On fifty-three minutes Cassama was bundled off a free kick from Senior but as Beverley broke, they missed a chance to score as Connelly’s crossed to an unmarked Norfolk who side footed the ball on the wrong side of the upright. Olly Green has a dubious shout for a penalty ignored on 57 minutes.

On 61 minutes the Beavers opened the scoring as they worked the ball down the left flank with Sani collecting an inch perfect pass from Connelly and side footing it beyond Hughes. 1 – 0.

Des Okoro replaced Cassama on 65 minutes and Noah Kiwomya took over from Clarke-Thompson five minutes later moments after Beverley swopped Suluburic for Connelly.

Despite the changes Tadcaster were still under pressure; A shout from the hosts for a penalty was waived away by referee Crossland whilst Snelgrove’s shot was blocked. With a quarter hour remaining, last ditch defending from Harris, Senior and Qualter prevented the hosts from doubling their score. Qualter then made way for Adam Porritt.

Nevertheless on 82 minutes Beverley doubled their score when substitute Suluburic collected a pass just outside the box beating two defenders before sliding the ball beyond Hughes and into the far corner of the net 2 – 0.

Daniel Brookes replaced Norman on eighty-four minutes. Play was end to end as time ticked away when on eighty-nine minutes Tadcaster got a goal back. Harris headed a long ball from just within the Brewers half, Okoro headed it on to Kiwomya who took it to the right of the box before driving a low shot beyond Overton into the far corner. 2 - 1.

There was a chance in added time when Senior’s free kick from just outside the box produced a quality save from Overton but then in the dying moments Norfolk had an opportunity to add to the Beverley score but shot wide.

The Beavers had done enough to secure promotion and Tadcaster must now ready themselves for this season’s last action next Tuesday when they play Route One Rovers from Division One of the NCEL in the final of the West Riding FA County Cup, kick off 7.45 . The match will be played at the headquarters of the WRFA, Fleet Lane, Oulton , Leeds, LS26 8NX.

Hughes, Pearson, Senior, Metcalfe, Harris, Qualter (Porritt), Norman (Brookes), Clarke-Thompson (Kiwomya ),Cassama (Okoro), Owen,©. Green

Report from John Clothier, Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley, and David Lindsay