Despite the glorious March sunshine, bitter winds kept things cool in Dronfield for the match between the world’s first football club Sheffield FC and Tadcaster Albion last Saturday. Currently sitting in 5th in the league standings, this was the most important of matches for the Brewers, requiring at least a draw to secure their place in the playoffs. With Sheffield second in the league and having won their last seven games drumming up a fantastic crowd to match, this would be no easy feat.

Setting the tone for the rest of the match early, Albion’s Desmond Okoro set the game alight on five minutes with a stunning header launched into the goal after tremendous work from Oli Norman whose shot was knocked into the air by keeper Jordan Greaves. Such a quick start had Tadcaster fans excited for what the rest of the match held - braving the M1 to get there had been worth it! 0 - 1

However, Sheffield went dangerously close to equalising on a number of occasions in the next heated twenty minutes. The only thing that stopped a Sheffield goal was a serious block by Curtis Senior, and some just-wide shots. With a booking for Olly Metcalfe as well, Tadcaster survived the pressure, but a second goal before the half time whistle would be immense if they were to be confident of their lead going into the second half.

With the last attack of the half Tadcaster pulled through with a fantastic corner goal scored by Player-Manager Ryan Qualter who was perfectly positioned to meet a perfect ball from Senior straight into the right-hand corner of the net. 0 - 2

As the half time whistle blew, Brewer’s fans could be more than satisfied with the lead but were aware that if Sheffield started making good on the chances they were creating, the game could swing in a very different direction. Certainly, Sheffield fans did not seem all too bothered by the score, as the sound of loud chanting, laughter, and the banging of a drum filled the air.

The second half, however, made for a much calmer start than the first one, with the only real chance in the first 20 minutes by Sheffield’s Joe West, which was volleyed wide. Tadcaster made two substitutions on sixty-two and sixty-nine minutes, taking off Olly Metcalfe and Desmond Okoro, and bringing on William Marshall and Miguel Cassama.

As the energy on the pitch wained, the game began to get tougher, with tackles to match. A free kick for Albion’s Curtis Senior went straight over the net, and Miguel Cassama found himself being cautioned five minutes after he came into play. However, Tadcaster found their footing once again and closed in on the Sheffield goal like vipers. After a great drive from Oliver Green into the goal area, Charlie Owen converted in the six-yard box with a little help from a Sheffield defender on 80 minutes. 0– 3.

With the noise from the home supporters starting to die down the away team’s lead looked very solid going into the final 10 minutes. With three more substitutions for Tadcaster, bringing on Matty Mulhearn, Noah Kiwomya and Mike Morris, it was clear that despite the good lead the Brewers still had something else up their sleeve.

With four minutes of normal time to go Mulhearn took advantage of Cassama’s nod forward and launched a fantastic ball straight forward into the net after outrunning two defenders, making the final score 4-0.

Tadcaster has sealed their place in the playoffs. It has been an immense challenge, in front of such a huge crowd and overwhelming atmosphere. Every player had given his all and the away fans had helped enormously as their team marched on.

Tadcaster now sit in 4th place in the league standings behind Beverley and Sheffield both of whom have also made it to the play off: as the season comes to a close, Barton Town look best placed to take the fourth play-off position but there is still a small chance for Campion and Handsworth.

Our next match will be the West Riding County Cup Semi Final game against Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday evening kick off 7.45 pm and then it’s the final league game at home on the 4th of April against Handsworth, KO 3.00 pm.

Starting XI: Hughes, Pearson, Senior, Metcalfe, Harris, Qualter, Norman, Clarke-Thompson, Okoro, Owen ©, Green
Subs: Kiwomya, Mulhearn, Marshall, Cassama, Morris

Report from Annie Roberts – Photos Courtesy of John Clothier