Near perfect conditions for both weather and pitch greeted the players at the start of this vital game in the play off race. A bumper crowd turned out to see if the Brewers could maintain their position in the top five with thoughts turned back to the away game in October when they scored three goals, one in the first half, two in the second plus a clean sheet.

The opening minutes were tentative from both teams with Albion’s first chance coming in the eighth minute - a good shot from Oli Norman with Luke Jackson getting that vital hand to push the ball away for a corner.

Just before the quarter hour there was a kerfuffle between Spencer Harris and striker Souleymane Coulibaly, a clash of heads causing both players to be yellow carded. Nevertheless, Tadcaster were starting to look dangerous with Curtis Senior’s penetrating cross cleared and then Norman’s cross almost diverted for an own goal.

Des Okoro fired just over whilst Billy Marshall ,on the half hour, found Charlie Owen in space but the shot curled just wide. Olly Green was just wide as Taddy upped the pressure. Senior’s corner was met by Olly Metcalfe who headed over the bar whilst at the car park end, Coulibaly did much the same on Pickering’s best move of the game.

Just when it looked as if the teams would both be goalless at half time, the Brewers opened the scoring : Senior’s curling corner was poorly headed away but only as far as Andy Shepherd ,who in one move, controlled the ball whilst turning through 180 degrees to hammer it into the near corner. 1 – 0.

Tadcaster started the second half very much on the offensive and on 49 minutes doubled the score. Charlie Owen sent Norman on his way down the right flank and a precision pass into the box found Green who, under pressure, just managed to force it a fraction over the goal line; the Pickering players attempted to play on but an astute Assistant Referee confirmed the goal was valid. 2 – 0.

On fifty-six minutes Ally Hughes charged off his line as Coulibaly raced into the box and was clearly fouled in the process but the quick reaction of the Taddy shot stopper was enough to avoid an equaliser.

As usual, Manager Ryan Qualter brought on his substitutes to maximise the team strength , Cassama for Okoro, Clarke-Thompson for Harris, Morris for Marshall, and Mulhearn for Shepherd.

On Sixty-nine minutes Albion increased their lead: another pinpoint corner from Curtis Senior alluded Olly Metcalfe but close behind him was Miguel Cassama who nodded the ball beyond Jackson. 3 – 0.

Almost immediately a solo run from Norman ended with another corner but this time the cross sailed over the bar. Norman then made way for Noah Kiwomya with fifteen minutes left on the clock. With ten minutes remaining Kiwomya saw his twenty yarder skim the post whilst in the last action of the game Coulibaly had a chance but his overhead shot cleared the bar.

So, for the second time this season Tadcaster took all the points in another 3 – 0 win, again with a goal in the opening half and two more after the break.

Elsewhere at the top of the league, Liversedge are already promoted but the play off positions are still wide open: Beverley beat Barton away 0 -1, Sheffield had a narrow one goal win at Bottesford, Campion put 3 beyond Penistone and Handsworth , a scintillating 7 at Thackley. Tadcaster remain in the last play off position two points ahead Campion and four in front of Handsworth who they play in the final game of the season on the 4th April at home.

Next Tuesday Taddy are away to Barnoldswick for the semi final of the West Riding County Cup whilst next Saturday we travel to Sheffield for the penultimate league match of the season KO 3.00 pm.

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match - Oliver Metcalfe

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

Report From John Clothier – Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley.