Penistone took the lead through number nine Reece High who swept home a low cross from Leon Hurles-Brook, at the six-yard box on 25 minutes to give Penistone the edge over their hosts. Nevertheless, in the dying moments of the game, substitute Desmond Okoro managed to steer home a well-placed header into the top right corner after a last-minute corner was flicked on at the front post from Oliver Metcalfe.

As the game began on Saturday afternoon, rain had abated, optimism was high and the crowd was ready to see if Tadcaster could build on last Fridays 2-0 win over Golcar. The game took a short while to get going - chances were few and far between from either side as defences were clearly on top for the opening 15 minutes of proceedings.

Albion could not get the ball to the other end of the muddy pitch and past the Penistone back line, leaving early part of the game locked into a stalemate. However, rain then began to lash down on the Young Guns arena, worsening the pitch and making it even more difficult for the players to properly get a controlled foot on the match.

It was the visitors though who had the first couple of chances. The first came as Lennon O’Grady broke through on goal but could not manage a shot as brilliant defensive work by both Mike Morris and Curtis Senior squeezed the Penistone man out. The second fell to midfielder, Edward Newsome whose first time rocket from twenty yards crashed off the cross bar and back into the box but the resulting header from Hurles-Brook was easily caught by Ally Hughes in the Tadcaster goal.

The hosts replied with chances of their own: Charlie Owen made room for himself in the box to find Olly Green, but his effort was blocked. Owen then had two attempts of his own, but both were kept out by keeper Charlie Hobbs. George Pearson’s solo attempt was blocked. Taddy just could not get through!

On 25 minutes, the deadlock was broken by the away side: Hurles-Brook was unopposed by the Tadcaster defence on the right wing before placing his through ball carefully and perfectly right to the feet of High in the six-yard area who made no mistake. 0-1.

Unfortunately, the rain continued to bounce down making it harder for Tadcaster to fight back. The Penistone defence stood strong and limited the Brewers to only two more chances before half-time. Ollie Green had a low effort saved and Matthew Mulhearn saw his half volley roll wide.

Some one-on-one heroics from Ally Hughes kept Tadcaster in the game at the half-time whistle.

The second forty-five followed a very similar theme to the first with defences being massively on top, restricting the opposition attacks to barely anything. Olly Metcalf took over from Marshall on 58 minutes.

Around then hour mark both teams suddenly looked like they could grab the second goal of the game. Penistone’s Hurles-Brook drove forwards down the left wing, made a yard for himself, and flashed a low effort right across the goal but narrowly wide. Curtis Senior then placed a wonderful cross onto Green’s head, but it flew agonisingly wide of the left-hand post keeping Penistone’s lead.

More substitutions were made; Joe Billet for Owen and with some twenty minutes to go, Des Okoro for Cassama. Noah Kiwomya took over from Mulhearn on eighty minutes.

Out of nowhere, bright sunshine suddenly bathed the pitch, as it seemed the game was done and dusted, but an inspired substitution from Manager, Ryan Qualter to sub himself on for a corner in the 92nd minute saw Tadcaster equalise immediately. Okoro, under immense pressure in the six-yard box managed a good head on Metcalfe’s flick on, salvaging a point for the Brewers. 1 – 1.

Tadcaster will be satisfied with that point given the way the game was heading but full focus remains on the playoffs, achieving the highest league position they can.

Curtis Senior took Tony Howarth Man of the Match Award after a solid performance down the left-hand side for Taddy.

Tadcaster: Hughes, Pearson, Senior, Shepherd ©, Harris, Morris, Marshall (57’ Metcalfe), Owen (62’ Billet), Cassama (75’ Okoro), Mulhearn (86’ Kiwomya), Green (90’ Qualter)

Penistone: Hobbs, Pownall, Young, Newsome (73’ Howes), Johnson, Cawthorne, O’Grady, Coduri ©, High, Hurles-Brook, Lee (90+1’ Jacobs)

Report from Charlie Ashworth – Pictures Courtesy of Keith Handley