Fine weather but not too hot, greeted the players for this third league game of the season. Tadcaster looked to build on their narrow win mid-week at Parkgate whilst Thackley were in search of their first victory. It was good to see ex Taddy Captain Dan McDaid and Assistant Manager Josh Walsh once again.

It was a blistering opening by the home side on two minutes when George Brown played a short corner back to Jayden Clarke-Thompson whose defence splitting cross was headed home by Olly Green off the near post.1 – 0.

Miguel Cassama had a chance from the restart whilst Thackley saw their first attack foiled by the legs of keeper Alfie Burnett. Spencer Harris, back from Injury, saw his shot blocked whilst Green just failed to connect with Cassama’s header in the box. Green then saw his one on one on eighteen minutes drift just wide.

The visitors, having got over the early deficit, were now looking for a way back; Burnett denied Gorgi whilst on 25 minutes Lewis Sugden had a real chance from Bartkiw’s corner. At the other end Charlie Owen’s defence splitter found Green in space but offside.

With seven minutes to go before the break Kamron Basi got on the end of a free kick but volleyed just wide for the visitors. Harris was denied by Thackley shot stopper Liam Wilson whilst the last action of the half saw Clarke-Thompson, who seemed to have picked up an injury, shoot wide.

Thackley started the second half on the front foot – Bartkiw’s penetrating corner headed over. Brown, however, had picked up an injury and was replaced by Des Okoro on 52 minutes. Moments later Burnett did well to deny Kell’s effort despite not having a clear sight of the ball. Experienced Michael Jones had another chance in a packed box for the visitors before Clarke-Thompson’s injury saw him make way for Dylan Helliwell.

At the three-quarter stage Burnett got down well to deny Sugden’s low free kick whilst on 70 minutes, a penetrating move down the right flank from the visitors was cleared: Thackley were now looking the more dangerous of the teams.

On 77 minutes Thackley broke back; Substitute Luke Brooks started a run from well inside the visitor’s half before putting a defence splitting pass down the right flank. He kept on running to receive an inch perfect cross into the box and his header gave no chance for Burnett. 1 – 1.

Both teams went in search of the illusive winner: Andy Shepherd cleared the bar after good work from Owen, whilst Basi had a clear opportunity on 82 minutes but miscued his shot.

It ended all square, but Tadcaster were left to rue the second half performance which leaves them 12th in the league table with four points from three games.

Next Saturday the Brewers are at home again when the entertain Glossop North End from the North West Counties Premier in an Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup. Kick Off 3.00 pm.

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match – Spencer Harris

Team - Burnett, Pilkington. Clark, Shepherd (Brookes), Harris, Gothard, Brown (Okoro), Clarke-Thompson (Helliwell), Cassama (Johnson), Owen ©, Green.
Substitute Not Used, Eastwood.

Report from John Clothier – Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley