Near perfect weather conditions greeted the players as another vital game for league survival got under way. A disappointingly small crowd of just 197 turned out.

Shildon set out their stall immediately with an early corner headed clear by Dan Hartley whilst a fast break down the right flank was interrupted by the pace of Kieran Burton who was first to the ball. However, disaster struck early on 5 minutes when McCamley slipped beyond Hartley and a near perfect cross was not defended as Ben Trotter sided footed home. 0 – 1.

It took a little while for the Brewers to regroup but on 12 minutes Simon Russell put Donald Chimalilo away although his shot towards the far side corner lacked pace and was an easy take for Newbrook. A long throw from Mark Ferguson was headed over the bar for a corner which eventually fell to Jack Crook but the attempt on goal from the edge of the box was high

On 20 minutes another long Ferguson throw eluded the front runners until eventually Jordan Deacey back headed but to no avail. Again, the striker’s drive across the face of the goal found no body there to convert. It was the start of Tadcaster’s best spell thus far but actually breaching the stalwart defence would be another matter altogether.

Hartley again came to the rescue with a well-timed header at the midpoint of the half but when Heywood blasted across the Albion goal it was fortuitous that no Shildon players were ready. Chimalilo ‘s solo run saw him clattered on the edge of the box but his well taken free kick was no problem for Newbrook.

On the half hour mark Taddy forced a corner after good work between Hartley and Crook. Deacey’s in swinger was collected by Kesi Omolokun but he could not get a shot away. Again, a spell of sustained pressure from the home side but in reality Newbrook, between the sticks for Shildon was never stretched. Ferguson’s effort on 34 minutes was powerful but wide.

With ten to go before the break Harry Fisk positioned himself perfectly to deflect with his feet Heywood’s goal bound effort. Tadcaster broke away courtesy of Russell’s pin point cross but Ferguson’s header was just off target.

However, just when it seemed that Albion would go in for Manager Deacey’s half time talk one goal down, Shildon doubled their tally; Omolokun conceded a corner and an accurate cross created a degree of havoc in the box - as Deacey challenged to clear, he unfortunately headed goalward , giving Fisk no chance. 0 -2.

The Brewers had battled well against the high-flying Railwaymen but to say they now faced an uphill struggle against their well organised opponents would be an understatement

Tadcaster, nevertheless, looked inspired as they resumed the challenge; Chimalilo worked himself near goal as he dribbled along the by-line but the shot from a tight angle resulted in a corner. Three more corners fell the way of the Brewers in the opening stages of the half but Newbrook was equal to them all. A free kick to the visitors was headed to safety by Burton - Crook picked it up but his long ball down the line found Chimalilo in an off-side position.

Des Amponsah replaced Jack Carr on 55 minutes.Another exceptionally long throw from Ferguson was punched out but only as far as Deacey but the shot lacked power.

Then on the hour mark, play was halted as Simon Russell appeared to have suffered an injury as he lay on his back after a melee near the half way line. The physio was quickly onto the scene but when the club skipper left the field heavily bandaged it was clear that the injury was serious and he would play no further part in the match . It would appear that Russell was cut around the eye and he went straight to hospital. Corey Roper was on in his place

With nineteen minutes left on the clock Shildon effectively put the game to bed. Moore chipped the ball across goal to the far post where unmarked Michael Sweet had the easiest header.0 – 3.

Romario Vieira was quickly on for Deacey as Taddy looked to get something out of the game but it was Fisk again saving more damage as he acrobatically tipped substitute Posthill’s strike over the bar. Amponsah almost clawed one back on 80 minutes but a last-ditch clearance foiled the Brewers front man. At the other end yet another interception by Kieran Burton set Chimalilo on his way but Omolokun failed to meet the cross.

The game ended with Vieira being yellow carded for retaliation. It got worse as the players left the field after the final whistle and it appeared that a second yellow had been issued.

A disappointing result at a time when points are everything but in truth, it was a class act from Shildon who fully deserved their win

Results elsewhere at the foot of the table mean that Taddy remain fifth from bottom but only one point above the danger zone.

Next Saturday Tadcaster travel to Worksop and on the 26th March its up to Hebburn, South Tyneside. The next home league game is the rearranged match with Brighouse on Tuesday 29th March KO 7.45 pm.

Fisk, Hartley, Howarth, Crook, Burton, Omolokun, Deacey (Vieira), Russell ©, [Roper], Ferguson, Chimalilo. Carr (Amponsah). Subs Not Used ; Godden, Hughes

Report from John Clothier – Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley