An inspiring second half showing from 10-men Tadcaster, saw the home side ease past Parkgate. A second half brace by Oliver Green, combined with Aaron Pilkington’s brilliant solo goal saw the Brewers make light work of a strong Parkgate side. Tadcaster winger and former Norwich city player, Oli Johnson was sent off in the 34th minute for an elbow on Parkgate full back Hayden Goddard. The win sees Tadcaster remain in the automatic promotion places and extends their remarkable start to the season.

The game started off with few chances over the course of the first half but it was Tadcaster that were having the majority of efforts on goal. Most efforts were met with blocks in the way and no clear cut chances were created at all, restricting the Brewers to have to create from corners or fast breaks. Callum Hudson rose for a header that was cleared off the line and Charles Owen produced an impressive run on 20 minutes but his effort curled past the post leaving the hosts scoreless.

Parkgate did grow into the half though and number 9, Alex Wonham did fashion a couple of half-chances for himself but with one blocked and the other sailing harmlessly high and wide, it looked like both teams did not bring their shooting boots to the pitch.
But the game would become much more lively after Johnson received a red card when his off the ball tussle with Goddard led to the linesman flagging for an elbow. The player had no protests to the red card decision and left the hosts looking like they had some serious work to do in the second half. However, the second half went in a completely different direction as it was Tadcaster who looked like they had the extra man.

Chances were still few and far between in the first 20 minutes of the half until a beautiful exchange down the right saw Owen with the chance to cut back the ball to Oliver Green and that he did. Green squeezed the ball in at the near post to see Tadcaster take the lead. 1-0.

The reply from Parkgate was not there as Tadcaster threatened again and when number 2, Pilkington, picked up the ball on the half way line on the 74th minute and ran at the defence, an opening appeared for him to cut inside and roll the ball home into the near post. The lead was doubled and the hosts looked deadly.

Still Parkgate could not make use of their extra man and create chances to drag them back into the game and this was ultimately punished by the home side. Another mazey run on 83 minutes saw Leeds loanee, Joe Billet skip past the visiting midfield before sliding through Green who shot across the keeper from the left into the far bottom corner capping a brilliant trio of goals in only 14 minutes. 3-0.

Green took the Man of the match award at full time thanks to his second half brace taking Tadcaster to victory. 317 were in attendance for Saturday's match and we hope to see you all again on Tuesday night when we play at home in the NCEL League Cup against Horbury Town.

Charlie Ashworth.