Perfect conditions greeted Eccleshill United who, before the match, stood three points ahead of Albion having played three games less. Memories still lingered of the Brewers away game back at the start of the season when Taddy were outclassed in a 4 – 1 defeat.

There were starts for recent signings Steve Smith , Nathan Heaton and Oliver Norman. Luca Bolino played in an attacking midfield role alongside Ben Tweed.

The ”Eagles” started on the front foot and Ndlovu was close, side footing on the wrong side of the post. Sam Green then did well to push a goal bound effort away - Fatlum Ibrahimi clearing from the corner.

Tadcaster’s first meaningful attack came on 9 minutes with Heaton putting Junayd Cassius-Gill through but the shot was no problem for ex Brewer’s keeper Ally Hughes. Norman’s burst down the left flank saw a pin point cross into the box which was just cleared . Just before the quarter hour mark it was Norman again asking all the questions in a one on one with Hughes but could not control the high bouncing ball.

Nevertheless on 15 minutes Albion took the lead; Bolino pulled a loose ball back to Elliot Andrew in the box , the shot spinning over the top of Hughes and into the net. 1 – 0.

The Brewers continued to pressure the Eagles defence and on 20 minutes doubled the score; Smith’s corner was cleared but only as far as Andrew Shepherd, loitering some 10 yards off the line, who smashed the ball on the volley into the net. Quite unstoppable! 2 -0.

Shepherd had another chance as the half hour beckoned – good work from defence by Bolino found him clear in the box but offside. Andrew then headed wide whilst on 38 minutes a good exchange between Ben Tweedy and Bolino saw the Taddy centre forward miscue his shot.

Eccleshill’s Ben Gordon floored Smith on a run down the right flank, referee Shepherdson immediately issuing a yellow card, whilst Green needed to be at his best as another ex Taddy player, Hass Gorji, rose highest to head a dangerous cross goalwards just before the half time whistle.

The opening 45 has gone Tadcaster’s way but Ecclesfield had produced a strong finish to the half and were looking dangerous.

The visitors came out causing havoc amongst the backline from the wing, as Shiraz Khan, Talent Ndlovu, and substitute Matthias Britton all had their eyes on a goal back.

After a stop-start period due to injuries and both sides using many substitutes, Eccleshill continued to press on; Marcus Harper came close to grabbing a goal back as he snuck through the defence and hit a ball into the side netting

All this pressure soon paid off for the Eagles, as the ball was cut back from the wing in the 60th minute to Talent Ndlovu, who scored a first-time beauty - the strike curled away from Green and went in off his fingertips - too much power behind it for the goalkeeper to save. 2-1.

Eccleshill had several more opportunities to get level as Tadcaster continued to play in a more defensive style. Eventually, the equaliser came in the 87th minute, when Gorji, making a fast run in behind the defence, collected a through ball, carrying it another 10 yards before scoring with an explosive finish past the left hand of Green. 2-2.

Eccleshill smelled blood as the fourth official called for 8 minutes of added time and were hammering on the door for a winner.

Nevertheless, against all the odds, it was Albion who produced the magical third goal: Junayd Cassius Gill started a counter-attack with an immense run down the left flank, before crossing the ball into Elliot Andrew, who could not help but score his second and Tadcaster’s winning third, sending the Young Guns Arena into ecstasy. 3-2.

With a much-needed win and confidence boost, the Brewers will take the three points into their next fixture away against second from bottom Winterton Rangers . They are six points behind Tadcaster but have two games in hand – another six pointer!

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match – Andrew Shepherd

Brewers XI: Green, Smith (Charlesworth 75’), Cassius-Gill, F.Ibrahimi, Heaton (Holmes 56’), Thirkell, Bolino (Greenway 59’), Shepherd, Andrew, Tweed, Norman (A.Ibrahimi 82’)

Report from Felix Cox - Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley