It was almost the same line-up for Tadcaster as the last match against league leaders Liversedge, with a start for Jayden Clarke-Thompson in place of Billy Marshall. Rossington are struggling at the lower end of the Premier League but previous encounters between the teams have always been close.

In the second minute Mike Morris put Miguel Cassama through a barrier of three defenders but the striker could not get his shot away. Almost immediately Oli Norman set up Charlie Owen, but his shot was just wide. Rosso had their first glimpse of goal on five minutes with a break down the left flank buy to no avail. Gibbons floated a good cross to Rossington skipper Reece Fielding on six minutes, but it was headed over the bar.

On the quarter hour George Pearson put a defence splitting cross into the box but Olly Green’s header was just wide of the post. Nevertheless, the home crowd did not have to wait for long before the Brewers took the lead; on eighteen minutes a quick throw from Green to Cassama and then on to Jayden Clarke-Thompson whose shot deflected high over keeper Jonathan Hedge as the ball nestled into the back of the net. 1 – 0.

Curtis Senior’s eighteen yarder went for a corner as Albion increased the pressure, whilst another pinpoint cross from Norman found Green in a one on one with Hedge in the six-yard box but his chip over the keeper was agonisingly wide. Cassama had a similar chance on 32 minutes but could not get a toe poke on Clarke-Thompson’s through ball.

As half time beckoned Rossington started to come into the match. Oliver Nowak’s speed down the left flank resulted in a good cross but Tad’s defence stood tight and the danger was cleared.

The second half continued where the first had ended with the visitors very much in the game. Curtis Senior tried an audacious thirty-five yard drive, but Hedge kept his eye on the ball of the way which landed safely in his arms. At the other end Gibbons effort was watched all the way by Brewers shot stopper, Ally Hughes, who pushed it away to safety.

On 56 minutes poor defending left Oli Norman with only Hedge in his way as he shot from the eighteen-yard line as the keeper advanced, only to see his shot bend around the wrong side of the upright. Norman’s free kick on the hour mark was then thundered home by George Pearson's header but disallowed by referee Dickens for a foul in the box.

It was time for Manager Qualter to change things around with Joe Billet on for Senior, Metcalfe for Shepherd, and Kiwomya for Norman. With a quarter hour remaining Rosso were still looking for a way back and a dangerous ball almost on the goal line was cleared by Spencer Harris.

However, Tadcaster doubled their lead on 77 minutes when a ball out of defence found Noah Kiwomya with just Hedge in front of him and with his first touch of the match, clipped his first goal for the Brewers under the advancing keeper. 2- 0.

Des Okoro replaced Cassama and Matty Mulhearn was on for Clarke-Thompson as the game entered its last ten minutes. Rosso defender Sherburn was yellowed carded for an off the ball incident with Billet.

In three minutes of added time Albion almost made it three after a long free kick was put through to Okoro by Owen but the striker was offside.

A solid performance by Tadcaster and three valuable points in their bid for a play-off position which now sees them up to sixth in the table with forty-eight points – the same as fifth placed Barton Town.

This Friday the Brewers are at home to Golcar Kick Off 7.45 pm at the Young Guns Arena. Golcar sit in sixteenth place in the league table with thirty points. Our games with them are always close and hard fought.

Tony Howarth Golf -Man of the Match -Jayden Clarke- Thompson

Hughes, Pearson, Senior (Billet), Shepherd © (Metcalfe), Harris, Morris, Norman (Kiwomya), Owen, Cassama (Okoro), Clarke-Thompson (Mulhearn), Green

Report from John Clothier – Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley