Conditions were almost perfect as The Brewers kicked off their new season with new Manager Ryan Qualter and several new faces in the squad. It was, on paper, the toughest of opening matches as last season’s beaten play-off finalists, Beverley Town, came to the Young Guns Arena.

The first real action in the second minute saw a perfect pass from Andrew Shepherd to Aaron Pilkington on a charge down the right flank but the cross lacked pace. The visitors first real chance of the day came on nine minutes when Sani looked to be through, but Callum Hudson timed his tackle to perfection, the first of many throughout the 90 minutes!

Beverley had the first corner of the game with Snelgrove’s cross intercepted by a brave low header from Mason Wilson. Then on 11 minutes Albion took the lead; Wilson put a square pass to Charlie Owen who skipped around Chanayire and from twenty yards launched ab unstoppable dipping bullet which caught keeper Overton by surprise as it crashed into the net. 1 – 0.

Nathan Heaton put Spencer Harris away, but he was hacked to the ground just outside of the box; Kieran Greenway took the free kick and although the wall did its job Owen was there with another shot. Charlie Thompson found Oliver Green in the box, but it was cleared before the striker could shoot.

With most of the action now in Beverley’s half, Chanayire has a chance to level on 20 minutes on the end of a pass from striker Sani but from just outside the six-yard area blasted over.

With Taddy keeping up the pressure a second goal looked possible. Wilson saw his long-range effort from some twenty-five yards skim over the bar, then on the half hour Greenway’s free kick found Green in the area, but he headed wide. The visitors had their best chance of the half when skipper Piercy headed goalwards, but Hughes read it well and a diving save kept the Brewers lead intact.

Heaton tried an audacious shot from Greenways corner which was well over. With ten minutes to go before the break a Greenway free kick from thirty-five yards found Owen on the run but Overton was there first.

Beverley had a chance on 40 minutes when a corner cleared the Albion defence, but Chanayire tried to get closer in the six-yard box and the chance went begging.

A good half from the home side!

Beverley made several changes as the second forty-five got underway and were starting to look far more dangerous. Nevertheless on 52 minutes it was Tadcaster who extended their lead. Piercy tried to clear the ball, but it bounced off one of his own players – Greenway picked up the loose ball and under pressure took it to the right of the box before unleashing a pinpoint low drive into the near corner. 2 – 0.

The Brewers had a chance of making it three when Wilson’s goal bound effort was well saved by Overton and there were signs that the visitors were back in the game.

On 62 minutes disaster struck; Hughes came off better in a one on one with Sani but Pilkington was then adjudged to have fouled in the box as Tad tried to clear - McCarthy Snelgrove drilled the ball into the far corner despite Hughes guessing correctly. 2 – 1.

Mathew Mulhearn replaced Shepherd almost immediately, but the tide was turning with Beverley looking far more dangerous. Greenway made way for Desmond Okoro on 68 minutes whilst on 70 minutes Sani limped off, but the visitors had already used all their substitutes. Nevertheless, the ten men still looked the more likely to score.

Hudson, who had been a rock in the Tad defence, made a crucial interception with a quarter hour left on the clock whilst Connelly had a real chance for the equaliser but headed over from close range. On 79 minutes Hughes made yet another important save to keep his side ahead.

Things, however, were about to change: on 82 minutes Beverley were awarded a free kick just outside of the box and despite Albion’s four man wall the ball was slipped to Nathan Hotte, who drilled it into the corner. 2 – 2.

Beverley kept up the pressure, but Tad would not concede. Hughes was a rock!

As the game entered added time Tadcaster scored the vital third goal. A move down the right saw Harris put Green away in the box – he dribbled under pressure before returning the favour as Harris smashed the ball home from the eighteen-yard line. 3 – 2.

It was a brilliant finale to an absorbing match – both players and supporters were over the moon! Manager Ryan Qualter, to quote, said after the match.
“I haven’t had a buzz in football like that for a long time.”!!

We now ready ourselves for a trip next Saturday to Thornaby in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round. Thornaby play in the Northern League Division One and kicked off their season yesterday with a 2 -1 victory away to Birtley.

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match goes to Cal Hudson in his first match for Taddy.

Hughes, Pilkington, Wilson, Shepherd (Mulhearn), Heaton, Hudson, Greenway (Okoro), Harris, Green, Owen © Thompson (Clark)

Report from John CLothier - Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley