Back in August Frickley gave Taddy a wakeup call with a positive 1 – 3 victory. At the start of proceedings on Saturday the Blues stood just one place above Albion in the league table. Conditions at Westfield Lane were good, something not matched by the temperature – it felt like freezing! . Frickley had two ex-Tadcaster players in their line up -Harrison Davison-Hale between the sticks and Rob Guilfoyle up front.

The Brewers started on the front foot looking for an early break with Elliot Andrew picking up Oli Norman’s through ball but faced with four defenders, he could not get a shot away. In the second minute it was Norman again opening up another chance but his pass was too heavy for Kieran Greenway and sailed through for a goal kick.

Frickley’s first meaningful foray into the Tadcaster half came on six minutes but the shot was wide. It had quickly become a midfield battle and although Tad were edging the play they could not break through the back four, whilst Frickley were starting to look very dangerous on the break. Junayd Cassius-gill was fouled by Keita on 14 minutes but Greenway’s long free kick caused no danger.

The first corner of the match went to Frickley on 23 minutes but was headed clear. The pressure continued with a dubious back header to Green from Dan Thirkell but the Tadcaster shot stopper read the situation and punched the ball to safety. Sam Kitchen looked to be on a one on one with Davison Hale but referee Morton adjudged him offside.

Andrew had two opportunities just before the half hour mark : first he got on the end of long ball over the heads of the Frickley back four from Elliot Holmes, putting the striker on a one on one with Davison Hale but the shot needed to be better. Then his 25-yarder needed two attempts from the Frickley keeper before the danger passed.

Jamie Tomlinson had a chance for the home side on the end of a dangerous cross whilst on 35 minutes they had the ball in the net via Keita but the referee had seen a handball and the Brewers were reprieved. Definitely a hand in mouth moment for the Tad supporters!

However, Tadcaster were so unlucky not to end the half in front: With just two minutes left before the whistle, Green’s long clearance sailed over the Frickley defence as Cassius - Gill brought it down beautifully and lobbed the advancing keeper only to see the ball clear the bar.

Not to be outdone Frickley had the final say before the break when a back pass from Kitchen was pounced on by Keita but with just Green in his way, he shot wide.

Goalless at the break was a fair reflection of play thus far.

Frickley started the second half in flying style; A quick move down the right flank saw the ball crossed beyond Green by substitute Kenzie Dillon into the six-yard box but Keita’s follow up hit the inside of the upright and was the cleared by Elliot Holmes. The Frickley players appealed for a handball but Mr Morton was unconvinced.

On 63 minutes it was Tadcaster’s turn to try to break the stalemate: A poor back pass found Andrew perfectly placed but although Davison-Hale managed to get a hand on his looping shot it still looked as if the ball would bobble into the goal . However quite unbelievably the bounce took it so high, that it bounced onto the bar and away to safety.

Luca Bolino and Andrew Shepherd replaced Greenway and Kitchen. It almost paid dividends immediately as Davison -Hale chested away Bolino’s effort from an Ibrahimi through ball. At the other end there was concern for Nathan Heaton who came off worse in a challenge and on 71 minutes he was substituted for Albert Ibrahimi. Andrew, also looking worse for ware, made way for James Knowles moments later. The substitutions concluded with Mason Wilson on for Cassius Gill

Albert Ibrahimi headed wide from a Norman cross as both sides looked for the winner and it nearly came to the hosts on 85 minutes when Clegg pulled the ball back for a simple tap in but Frickley were denied on the line for what looked like a certain goal . Again, there were shouts for a penalty and again the officials disagreed.

On 87 minutes Albion effectively put the game to bed when Charlie Owen put a cross into the oppositions box but with a slightly fortuitous bend, it sailed over the keeper and into the far corner . 1 – 0

The match was held up for several minutes as acrimony broke out between the two sets of players - quite who was to blame is a mystery but unfortunate after a well fought match.

Next Saturday Tadcaster are at home to league leaders Golcar United for our final home game of the year. It was a close but decisive 2 - 1 win for them back in October and The Brewers will be hoping for another upset against a highly placed team.

Green, Owen, Cassius-Gill (Wilson), Thirkell ©, Heaton (Ibrahimi A), Holmes, Greenway (Bolino), Ibrahimi F, Andrew (Knowles), Kitchen (Shepherd), Norman

Report from John Clothier – Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley