Another bumper crowd turned out to see if Sheffield could overcome the four nil home league defeat two weeks ago against Tadcaster Albion to book a place in the play-off final with either Beverley or Barton. A sunny brisk day greeted the players, but the outcome would depend on who could master best the very fierce gale which lasted for the entire match.

Sheffield won the toss and opted sensibly to play the first half with the wind to their backs. Nevertheless, Tadcaster’s first attack resulted in a free kick bent into the box by Curtis Senior, but Andy Shepherd headed wide. Striker Alex Hardwick had the initial chance for the hosts, but Alli Hughes was equal to the one on one.

It was clear right from the start that the pitch and the strong winds would invite Sheffield to opt for high balls which for the opening forty-five would keep the pressure on the Brewers. It was no surprise when on twenty minutes they took the lead with a long ball out of defence for the unmarked Hardwick who only needed a simple header into the far corner. 1- 0.

With Albion struggling with the wind, the home side doubled their lead on thirty-four minutes when a high swirling cross from Greenhouse caught Hughes slightly out of position and landed over the goal line. 2 – 0.

George Pearsons, who had picked up an injury following an earlier tackle was substituted by Billy Marshall almost on half time but that lasted only two minutes as he limped off courtesy of a pulled hamstring to be replaced by Matty Mulhearn.

With the wind now in Tadcaster’s favour hopes were high as the second half got under way but although they were seeing more possession, they were still not converting it in the final third. Olly Green put Charlie Owen through just after the restart, but the shot was deflected for a corner, moreover Sheffield were adapting better to the windy conditions and were still a real threat. On fifty-six minutes Sheffield’s appeal for a penalty was dismissed by Referee Coles.

Just before the hour mark Tadcaster had more problems when this time it was Mulhearn who was down and unable to continue, Noah Kiwomya taking his place. The Brewers then had to thank Olly Metcalfe for blocking Poulter, the midfielder shortly making way for Desmond Okoro as Albion tried to find a way through.

The change could have paid dividends with just fifteen minutes to go when Green was fouled by keeper Greaves as the visitors started to look dangerous, but Okoro’s spot kick was well read by the Sheffield shot stopper. Nevertheless, the signs were good for a nail-biting finale as Tadcaster abandoned the high ball tactic and started to play the ball more to feet.

The breakthrough arrived on seventy-eight minutes with Okoro finding Jayden Clarke-Thompson whose effort in the six-yard area was pounced on by Miguel Cassama making no mistake whatsoever from close range . 2 – 1.

It was more than a ray of hope as the Brewers threw everything at the home side. Clever work between Green and Okoro almost found the net as time ticked away whilst Kiwomya was just wide with his shot.

Daniel Brookes took over from Andy Shepherd as the match went into six minutes added time. Taddy were throwing everything forward and when the ball fell to Cassama on the eighteen-yard line he did not hesitate before smashing it into the far corner. 2 – 2

And so, the match went to penalties in front of the home fans: Spencer Harris converted the first, Cassama the third and Charlie Owen the fifth which made the shoot-out score 3 – 3. Sheffield’s Harry Spooner was denied by Alli Hughes which left Ryan Qualter with the chance to take his team into the final - he calmly replaced the ball on the spot before sending Greaves the wrong way and taking his team next Saturday to Beverley!

The Tadcaster supporters could hardly believe it, the players were ecstatic and they are all off to Beverley for next week’s final after they defeated Barton thanks to a Snelgrove penalty on 71 minutes.

Hughes, Pearsons ( Marshall – Mulhearn - Kiwomya), Senior, Shepherd © (Brookes), Harris, Qualter, Clarke-Thompson, Metcalfe (Okoro), Cassama, Owen, Green

Report from John Clothier Photos Courtesy of David Lindsay