With last Fridays heavy defeat at Worsbrough Bridge now history, Tadcaster travelled to Retford United on Wednesday evening when the rain by and large, gave the 90 minutes a miss. The hosts impressive Cannon Park ground displayed probably the best pitch we will play on this season. Taddy welcomed back from injury Charlie Owen and also George Brown who started on the bench. It was the first outing for Tad’s new blue away kit.

The Brewers’ had the better of the opening minutes with Alex Clark going close from Oli Norman’s pinpoint cross. On nine minutes Oliver Green found Norman in space but from the tightest of angles his shot hit the upright. Tadcaster had another chance on the quarter hour, when a corner was met by Ryan Gothard, only to see it headed off the line.

Thierry Eastwood’s audacious thirty yarder was cleared for a corner but the hosts were beginning to get involved and almost took the lead after they broke away and a slightly miscued the shot went just wide. Nevertheless, it precipitated some end-to-end play from both sides which was to last for the entire remainder of the match.

On 26 minutes keeper Harry Stead’s quick reaction foiled what could otherwise been the opening goal whilst on the half hour, Norman again charged into the box but Retford shot stopper, Harvey Woodward, was well positioned.

Owen was yellowed carded on 34 minutes when he slid into Woodword, although whether there was contact was debateable. However, if anything the incident inspired the home side with Stead again tipping a goal bound effort over the bar and then, with half time approaching Retford striker, Lewis Chambers, was through for a one on one but clearly offside.

On the restart it was Retford this time taking the initiative with Chamber’s shot too close for comfort. Spencer Harris ‘s header from a corner was wide .

With the Brewers slightly on the back foot and forced to defend, the first substitution came on the hour when George Brown , back from injury, took over from Alex Clark whilst almost straightaway Skipper Owen made way for Nick Thompson. It was then time for Harry Croft to replace the tiring Norman.

Still end to end from both teams, and endless corners from Albion, the momentum had turned slightly with Retford exerting pressure. Stead was magnificent between the posts time and time again foiling the Retford attack.

The Brewers, however, were still searching for the vital goal and three points and almost made it with four minutes left of normal time; Porritt launched the ball to Croft, marauding in the box, whose header looked to be on its way before it hit the inside of the post and was cleared. Olly Green’s header, as time ebbed away, was yet again foiled by Woodward.

A draw was a fair result and provides a positive back cloth for Saturday’s away FA Cup First Round Qualifying against step three Lancaster City from The Northern Premier League Premier Kick Off 3.00 pm. Next Tuesday (8th September)it is yet another away match when we are back in League Action against Golcar United KO 7.45 pm.

Stead, Porritt, Eastwood, Zachariou,, Harris. Gothard, Norman (Croft), Clarke-Thompson, Green, Owen (Thompson), Clark (Brown). Subs Not Used; Binns, Campbell- Baldwin

Report and Photos From John Clothier