With Shildon just two places above Tadcaster in the league, this was a real opportunity to help The Brewers escape the relegation zone. Apart from Rafa Ferreira who was not available, it was the same team who played so well against Long Eaton and back in the line-up came Theo Hudson, hopefully fully recovered from injury. The Railwaymen had three new signings in their squad, although only winger Ben Dibb - Fuller started the match.

The opening minutes saw Tadcaster on the back foot with striker Michael Sweet losing his footing in the box just at the wrong moment and Shildon heading just wide from a corner before Taddy had even drawn breath. Josh Mazfari was equal to a powerful shot on 5 minutes.

First to test the hosts was Lewis Hey , who, having run through the centre of the park, tried a twenty yarder, but keeper Bond was more than equal to it. Again, it was Hey’s through ball on the quarter hour mark putting Omar Sanyang away but Bond got there first.
It was now end to end and Tadcaster had Mazfari to thank when he punched away a screamer from Atkinson from the edge of the box.

Then, on 17 minutes, Noah Wadsworth put Des Amponsah away down the left and as the midfielder dribbled his way into the box, Hudson found open space on the six-yard line and thumped the pass into the nearside corner. 0 – 1. It was his first goal for Albion.

Amponsah was adjudged off side as he collected Wadsworth’s lob into the area whilst on 28 minutes Sanyang broke the trap but the pass to Hey was cut out by the keeper. Sanyang had the ball in the net four minutes later but again Referee Downey blew for offside.

On 33 minutes Nathan Dyer conceded a free kick some 20 yards out but in the melee that followed, another free kick was awarded , again from just outside the line but this time bang opposite the goalmouth; Dibb – Fuller placed on exquisite shot over the wall into the far corner of the net.1 -1.

On 38 minutes the situation went from bad to worse. Mathews crossed the ball into the box but Tadcaster failed to pick up striker, Michael Sweet who was loitering with intent – with a 180-degree turn, he dispatched the ball in to the same corner . 2 – 1.

Just before the interval, Shildon’s central defender, Alex White, was red carded for what is believed to have been swearing at the referee. The Brewers would play the second half against ten men and duly took the game to their hosts.

Dyer charged down the right flank just in time to save a long ball destined to cross the line but the pullback was easily taken by Bond. Sanyang went highest at the back post on the hour but again Bond claimed the ball. Dyer was bundled off the ball by Sweet but the visitors did not make the free kick count.

With twenty minutes left, Wadsworth, having a fine game in only his second outing, put a peach of a ball in behind to Sanyang on the right side of the area - he twisted by two defenders but could not get a shot away. Wadsworth put another sublime curler into the box but neither Hey or Hudson were in the right place to capitalise.

With Jordan Hines on for the tiring Hudson, Tad continued to press. Amponsah’s left footer from 20 yards just cleared the bar whilst with 12 minutes left, Wadsworth broke down the left but there was no one there to convert his dangerous pullback .

As time ebbed away, Mariusz Bratkowski took over from Dyer. Almost immediately Shildon attacked but Mazfari recovered quickly from an untoward touch to avoid a third goal. That said the Brewers were tiring and the inevitable break from Shildon, was an ever-present threat. With 2 minutes of normal time on the clock, that duly arrived. Shildon broke from half way in their half, moved the ball down the left flank and there was nobody to cut out the cross to Alex Hutchinson who made no mistake from six yards. 3 – 1.

On Tuesday 21st February, Tadcaster are at home for the re arranged league match with North Shields who sit in 14th place in the league with 30 points from 26 games. Yesterday the beat ninth placed Grimsby Borough away 0 -5. Kick Off is at 7.45 pm. Things really do not get any easier.

Mazfari, Dyer (Bratkowski), Wadsworth, Sharry, Johnson, Hartley ©, Amponsah, Smith, Sanyang, Hey, Hudson, (Hines) Sub Not Used; Beaston

Report and Photos from John Clothier