Against the odds and courtesy of the ground staff, the game against Barton Town was on but it was a bitterly cold night for everyone at the SoTrak Stadium, Conor Qualter was back in the starting line-up after his three-match suspension whilst Joe Dixon made his first start up front. Fans were disappointed to learn that Taddy stalwart and previous vice-captain, Corey Roper had left the club for Silsden. The Swans had not won a game since early September, so there was everything to play for.

Dixon found Stewart just outside the box after three minutes but the shot was wide . He had another try on 6 minutes but with Junayd Cassius Gill and Olly Norman both unmarked, his effort cleared the bar. Barton’s first foray saw Tom Waudby with a close-range effort from a tight angle but a swift interception from Sam Kitchen plus good reactions from Joe Wilton saved ant early embarrassment. Junayd Cassius-Gill put Charlie Owen through on nine minutes but referee Greenwood waved away a cry for a penalty as the ensuing cross looked to be handled.

Despite the good start by the Brewers, it was Barton who took the lead on 10 minutes when Will Waudby crossed to his brother Tom who outjumped Dan McDaid and headed beyond Wilton.

On the quarter hour Stewart missed a chance when Norman’s shot was spilled by ex Albion keeper Ryan Musselwhite but his follow up lacked strength. Will Waudley put in a decent cross to Tom Waudley but the header was over the bar. Harrison Coley curled in a dangerous cross on twenty minutes but it was cleared. Just before the half hour mark Tom Waudby was denied by a brave save from Wilton , diving at the striker’s feet after a poor back pass.

McDaid was clattered and unusually the Albion skipper stayed down for a minute before resuming whilst on 33 minutes Cassius-Gill tried his luck from twenty yards , Musselwhite taking it safely. Dixon, on a run into the area, curled his shot wide, whilst Norman could not get his shot away from close range.

AS the half came to an end it was all Tadcaster and in the final minute it paid dividends; McDaid’s bending corner was headed into the danger area by Dan Thirkell whilst Qualters shot left Stewart with the simplest of tap-ins. 1 – 1.

A topsy-turvy first half but what was really worrying was the growing confidence displayed by the opposition.

The Brewers continued on the front foot but a chance on 53 minutes was driven wide by McDaid from inside the box. Fatlum Ibrahimi’s through ball was just too long for the advancing Norman who was then tripped as he entered the area - McDaid’s ensuing free kick cleared the cross bar.

On the hour sloppy play gifted the Swans with a real chance to take back the lead but Thirkell was alive to the danger and cleared before Cable could get his shot away. Tad then failed to capitalise on a rare mistake from Musselwhite in no small way down to the strong defence from another ex Taddyman, Fraser Papprill, whilst Kitchen’s effort was straight at the Barton shot stopper.

Kieran Greenway replaced Cassius-Gill on 68 minutes, whilst Joe Crosby was on for Dixon shortly after. Whilst the changes revitalised the hosts attack it was Barton who scored the next goal on 78 minutes. A breakaway saw Playford unleash a thunderbolt which rebounded off the bar straight to Tom Waudby whose looping header found the corner of the goal. 1 – 2

With Ten minutes to go Sam Kay swapped with Stewart but almost immediately there was a fracas on the far side of the pitch involving Conor Qualter who retaliated after a tussle with one of the Barton front men right in front of the referee Greenwood . Half of all the players on the pitch crowded round – a shambles which really made matters worse. Qualter received another red card which will could well result in an even longer suspension for the defender who was in his first game back.

Josh Hardcastle and Cody Collins were both on as the home side battled for the equaliser but inevitably that left the defensive door open and in the final minute Craig King went on a solo run ending with a clinical finish. 1 - 3.

There was no way back - a disappointing performance from the Brewers who must now dust themselves down as they visit Frickley next Saturday Kick Off 3.00 pm.

Priory Vodka man of the Match Sam Kitchen

Wilton. Owen (Hardcastle), McDaid, Thirkell, Qualter, Ibrahimi, Stewart (Kay), Kitchen, Dixon (Crosby), Cassius-Gill (Greenway), Norman (Collins).

Report from John Clothier, Photos Courtesy of Craig Dinsdale