It was a predictably cold afternoon when Tadcaster made the short journey to Knaresborough for the final game of 2015. They had decided that this was the right opportunity to reintroduce their annual fancy dress event with a number of supporters adorned in Viking clothing plus the reintroduction of “Taddy Bear”, missing for the last five years.

Albion could not have wished for a better start: After just a minutes play they took the lead when a long ball out of defence down the left flank found Oliver Green who outpaced two defenders and as keeper, Edd Hall, rushed out to narrow the angle, side footed to ball into the back of the net.0 – 1.

Green had another chance shortly afterwards, but Hall was ready whilst most of the remaining half saw The Brewers in a battle to maintain their lead. With thirteen minutes played a packed eighteen-yard box saw the hosts throw everything at the Brewers defence with Striker Ben Gelder’s shot cleared off the line.

At the mid-point of the half ex Taddy striker, Sam Barker, had a real chance but his shot just cleared the bar. Tadcaster shot stopper, Alfie Burnett, denied Barnes-Cook as on the half hour but the Knaresborough striker collected the ball for another goal bound effort, this time cleared off the line by Mike Morris making his return to the club after 18 months away.

On the half hour a deflected shot from Nathan Heaton, back from illness, saw Bill Marshall chase the ball to the line but Barker read it well – the Taddy man yellowed carded in the process.

With six minutes to go before the break Knaresborough had another chance to level when Barners-Cook found Gelder, but the shot was just wide of the upright.

Albion ended the half with the slender lead intact.

Curtis Senior was on for Heaton as play resumed with Tadcaster, this time, very much on the front foot, but his first shot of the half was wide. Nevertheless on 51 minutes the visitors’ cemented their position; Green robbed Thirkell just outside the box and as Hall charged out, the Brewers’ striker coolly slid the ball home into an empty net. 2 – 0.

Just past the hour Matty Mulhearn was a fraction too high with his twenty-five yarder, before the hard-working Des Okoro made way for Miguel Cassama up front whilst Mulhearn handed over to Jack Lane on 73 minutes.

On 74 minutes the hosts had the best chance of the half when from thirty-five yards Gelder was oh so close, but the ball skimmed over the bar. Marshall’s free kick bender was also not far away! Alex Charlesworth took over from Billet as the final whistle beckoned.

A well-earned away win for Tadcaster in a hard-fought local derby. The three points lift the Brewers back into the play off positions with 42 points – the same as Handsworth and Barton Town who we host next Saturday 3rd January at the Young Guns Arena, Kick off 3.00 pm.

Burnett, Billet (Charlesworth), Kendall, Shepherd, Heaton (Senior), Morris, Marshall, Harris, Green, Mulhearn (Lane), Okoro (Cassama). Sub Not used Nfonkeu

Report and Photos Courtesy of John Clothier