In their penultimate preseason match, the Brewers enjoyed a 4-0 victory on a damp Tuesday evening at the Young Guns FC Arena against Yorkshire Amateur, replacing original opponents Rotherham United. However, the scoreline does not tell the complete story as Amateur, from the NCEL Division One, made a solid account for themselves by carving out numerous chances throughout the match.

The home side were lightening quick out of the blocks, with winger Shaun Hudson’s low drive forcing a save from Ammers goalkeeper Paul Diamond. In just the second minute, Tadcaster were ahead. Beginning with an impressive switch of play by Fatlum Ibrahimi, a fluid attacking move saw right wing-back Josh Hardcastle whip in a cross from the byline with pace for Luca Bolino to meet with a powerful header from the edge of the six yard box. 1 – 0.

After a dominant 10 minute spell, the second big chance fell to Amateur after dispossessing Tadcaster in their own half courtesy of striker Birama Diallo before he fired a shot over the crossbar. The frontman would continue to press for an equaliser after receiving a through ball from the right wing, cutting inside onto his left foot before debutant keeper Hadji Damba, smothered the ball cleanly. It wouldn’t be the last time in the game in which he showed confidence between the sticks.

Yorkshire Amateur were left frustrated as a second key chance went astray on 34 minutes. Following a low cross from the right wing and the initial attempt on goal being blocked bravely, the ball fell to midfielder Wilson Rames and was hit over the crossbar from just outside the six yard box. Their threat had been brewing for a decent part of the first half.

Tadcaster would soon respond within 5 minutes of half time; the ever tricky attacking midfielder Alfie Dean broke into the penalty area after a smart change of pace and struck a powerful low shot which was parried by Amateur keeper Diamond.

Neither side made half-time substitutions, as the ground’s new floodlights illuminated for the second half. The Brewers were, however, forced into a change on 50 minutes as defender Knowles came off with a knock after a challenge, being replaced by Elliot Holmes. His aerial presence was felt immediately, beating lively striker Diallo to a header after a searching long ball. Not long after, the Amateur forward collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area, showing great composure with a drop of the shoulder which carved a path into the box before keeper Damba parried to his right hand side.

Amateur began to find the target close to the hour mark. A corner was headed clear before a dipping volley was struck from the edge of the penalty area, which was thwarted by an acrobatic Hadji Damba save. The Brewers’ keeper was in fine form to keep them ahead.

Tadcaster soon profited from a corner of their own. Amateur failed to properly clear the ball which led to substitute centre back Elliot Holmes’ low volley from the edge of the box being parried to the left of centre and the feet of winger Shaun Hudson, who swivelled and fired the ball across the goal and into the bottom right. 2-0.

Amateur could have fired themselves back into the game in a “one-on-one” after a through ball from midfield, only for keeper Damba to stride off his line and make a crucial save.
With roughly 15 minutes to go, bringing on some fresh legs proved decisive. This, plus a switch of system to a “four-three-three” formation, allowed right winger Carl Robinson to press a pass that fell short of Amateur keeper Diamond in the penalty area and finish from point blank range. 3-0 .

Holmes was involved again minutes later with a floated long range pass out to the right wing. The driven cross missed the initial body in yellow yet found Alex Charlesworth, who also came on in the second half, at the back post – he slid in bravely and fired the ball into the roof of the net in quite an unorthodox finish. 4 -0.

Tadcaster went close to a fifth in the game’s final minutes. Marauding wing-back Connor Ryan found space on the right, dribbled confidently to the byline and picked out Robinson who hit the bar after raising a leg to meet the ball with his laces.

The Brewers travel to Durham to face Brandon United at 1.00pm on Saturday, before their season opener in the NCEL Premier Division at home to Bottesford Town on the 27th July KO 3.00 pm. They can take some confidence out of their fluent wing play, particularly involving wing-backs Wilson, Hardcastle, and Ryan, the clinical play of Luca Bolino, the tireless Robinson plus an assured debut and clean sheet from Hadji Damba.

Tadcaster squad: Damba Hardcastle, Thirkell, Knowles, Wilson, Ibrahimi, Kitchen, Bolino, Dean, Hudson, Elliot, Robinson, Ryan, Holmes, Shepherd, Charlesworth, Hines, Tweedy

Report from Oliver Whitmore, Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley