Despite freezing conditions, the pitch at the Regal Interiors Stadium was perfect for the return match between the Brewers and the Cobbydalers. Back in September Tadcaster were the winners 3 – 1 but at start of play they languished in sixteenth spot in the league whilst Silsden topped the table with forty-nine points from just twenty-one games . The hosts had not been beaten at home this season and had only succumbed twice away. Moreover, they were on a run of fourteen consecutive wins

It was a blistering start from the hosts; Jake Maltby blasted over in just the second minute from a corner but slack marking a minute later saw the Cobbydalers take the lead. A long ball to the left flank landed at the unmarked Casey Stewart’s feet from where he raced into the box and side footed the ball beyond Sam Green before anyone could tackle him. 1 – 0

Albion’s first foray came on six minutes when Kieran Greenway launched a twenty-five yarder which cleared the bar. A minute later Greenway’s curling free kick was headed just wide by Elliot Holmes.
Silsden kept up a relentless pressure; Kayle Price’s shot from outside the area was a fraction wide, whilst on twenty minutes Ellis Hudson’s effort looked to be on its way but Green produced the save of the game diving full stretch to palm it away for a corner.

On 26 minutes Price’s long cross pitch pass effectively split the Tad defence but Nathan Heaton was able to clear a poor shot from Brooksbank. Hudson was inches wide from a corner whilst on the half hour Heaton again came to the rescue with a huge block to thwart Hudson’s shot from within the box.

Then in the final minute of a half dominated by the home side, The Brewers equalised; Oli Norman picked up a pass on the left flank, beat won defender but when he brought the ball into the area was upended from behind. Referee Shafi pointed immediately to the spot from where Elliot Andrew made it seven out of seven as he powered the ball into the back of the net. 1 – 1.

There was still time for Hudson to have one last attempt but Heaton was in the right place to clear his goal bound shot.

The penalty had put a different complexion on the game - it would be vital for Albion to take the second half to their host.

And indeed, it was a blistering start as play re commenced. Norman pounced on a stray pass to put Andrew away on 46 minutes but a tame shot was no problem for keeper, Bradbury. A minute later Junayd Cassius-Gill seized on a long ball from defence but failed to get the shot away as he tackled by Kilner, racing back to protect his keeper. From the ensuing corner Heaton rose highest but his header just cleared the bar.

On 52 minutes there was yet another near miss as Cassius-Gill put a defence splitter into the box but Andrew’s header was just the wrong side of the post.

The few away supporters were left to rue what might have been when on 55 minutes Silsden broke down the left; Maltby picked up the cross on the edge of the box and threaded it through to Brooksbank who made no mistake skilfully putting his low drive beyond Green. 2 – 1.

That said, Albion kept up the pressure and almost immediately Cassius-Gill put an exquisite pass through to Andrew but he could not connect.
Just after the hour mark, the hosts broke following a tad free kick – Price lobbed a long ball from Billy but Green, perfectly positioned, was waiting. Greenway tried a twenty-five yarder on 70 minutes, producing a good save from Bradbury just before the first of the Brewers substitutions – Owen and Kitchen replacing Wilson and Bolino.

Time was against Tad as they continued to push and Silsden were seeing more and more of the action. Nevertheless, with only 10 minutes left on the clock the visitors found the priceless equaliser; Fatlum Ibrahimi started the move when he intervened in a Silsden breakaway from their own half, then ten passes later between the team, it fell to Nathan Heaton to put a peach of a high cross to Junayd Cassius – Gill who out jumped defenders to nod it into the corner of the net.2 – 2

Alex Charlesworth took over from a limping Andrew on 83 minutes and Tad had a shout for a penalty waived away two minutes later. Both teams fought to the end for the winner but it ended all square.

The one point lifts Tadcaster a single place up the league table whilst Silsden remain top. On Saturday Albion travel to Frickley Athletic who are just two points ahead having played the same number of games.

Green, Wilson (Owen), Cassius-Gill, Thirkell ©, Heaton, Holmes, Bolino, (Kitchen), Ibrahimi, Andrew (Charlesworth), Greenway, Norman.

Report and Photos Courtesy of John Clothier