In a fascinating cup tie, Brewers trio Knowles, Andrew, and Dean all scored for the second game running to overcome Northern League Division 1 side Seaham Red Star, progressing to the first qualifying round of the FA Cup whilst earning a well-deserved £1,125 in prize money.

The game was initially rather scrappy with possession swinging between the two sides making numerous long balls forward, before tricky attacking mid Alfie Dean spurred the game into life by evading several challenges and winning a free kick that was eventually hit into the wall.

Tireless wingback Josh Hardcastle was involved for the first time on the quarter hour mark, winning the ball and sprinting into space on the right. His cross found Dean who couldn’t carve out a shooting chance after deftly trapping the ball down in the penalty area.

After a fairly uneventful spell, disaster struck for the Brewers on 23 minutes: Seaham’s James Robinson played a speculative ball over the Tadcaster defence, prompting goalkeeper Sam Green to rush outside the box to meet the oncoming attacker. He made contact with the forward and seemed to come out worse off, but referee Craig Atkin ruled that he denied an obvious goal - scoring opportunity and produced a red card. Few would have predicted Tadcaster skipper Daniel Thirkell to be swapping his yellow shirt for the goalkeeper’s purple, and he survived his first challenge in goal as the resulting free kick sailed over.

The game took another surprising turn as the home side went ahead on 32 minutes. Following a free kick from within the Brewers’ half, winger Luca Bolino picked up a soft headed clearance before dribbling into the box and clipping the ball back across from the right for a diving James Knowles to head home. It was a brave header as he appeared to injure himself on landing but was pronounced fit to continue after several minutes. 1-0.

Following the opener, Tadcaster were rejuvenated and were committing to every contest for the ball. It seemed the numbers were even in the middle despite the 1-man deficit, particularly with the application from midfielders Alfie Dean and Sam Kitchen.

Seaham had few clear cut chances whilst holding the numerical advantage; their last came on 42 minutes as substitute full back Aaron Wearmouth received the ball wide on the left before clipping a ball to Lewis Rutherford, in behind the Tadcaster defence, only for him to lob the ball over the net.

Tadcaster were soon breaking away as Seaham committed more players forward in their attack; James Knowles poked the ball through to Dean in the centre circle, who spun away before playing a pin-point through ball into the onrushing Bolino. The last defender Luke Duffy tripped the pacey right winger from behind, giving away a penalty before promptly being shown a red card. Elliot Andrew made no mistake from the spot kick, firing a low drive into the corner on 45 minutes. 2-0.

The Brewers continued their admirable efforts going forward with the numbers even once more. Andrew Shepherd, making his first appearance for the club, showed great strength in the middle dispossessing Seaham before spreading the play to Dean. The ball was worked quickly to the right in Bolino, taking on Red Star captain Joseph Mainley and flashing a shot into the side netting.

Tadcaster’s stalwart defence stood firm in keeping out the away side, who were in desperate need of a route back into the game in the second half. On 58 minutes, Aaron Wearmouth delivered a looping cross to the back post for Mark Robinson to chest down brilliantly, yet James Knowles rushed across to sweep the ball away from him.

Seaham would go on to register minimal shots on Thirkell’s goal, as Tadcaster settled into a counter-attacking approach. One attempt on goal came in the form of a Liam Wright free kick, struck with pace to the left of goal which Thirkell kept out with a confident diving save.
Seaham’s substitute Michael Connoly tried to provide a spark for the away side, spinning away from his marker before finding Mark Robinson whose dipping cross was dealt with by a glancing header from James Knowles - his imperiousness in the air was apparent throughout the whole game. The resulting corner found keeper Andrew Jenninson who may have momentarily seen his name in lights before heading wide on 88 minutes. Time was running out for the Northern Division One side, who were heading for their third straight defeat in all competitions.

On 86 minutes Alfie Dean rounded off the scoring as Tadcaster broke away down the right once more, with much space opening up as Seaham committed more men forward in search of an elusive goal. The 19-year-old connected with a through ball and coolly arrowed a low shot into the bottom right. Remarkably, this was the same Brewers trio scoring three goals for a second game running, in exactly the same order. Brewers fans are now well acquainted with their attacking prowess. 3-0.

James Knowles proved his quality once again as a former title winner with Emley, winning practically every header and was composed with the ball at his feet. Tadcaster’s commitment to wing play was profitable once more with Hardcastle and Dean making great use of space in front of them when presented with it.

Tadcaster resume their NCEL Premier campaign next Tuesday 6th August at home to Silsden AFC, kicking off at 7:45 pm. Next Saturday they have their first away league match of the season at Eccleshill United KO 3.00 pm

Attendance: 174

Tony Howarth Golf MOTM: James Knowles

Tadcaster: Green (sent off), Hardcastle, Owen, Thirkell (C), Knowles, Shepherd (‘61 Greenway), Cassius-Gill (‘27 Holmes), Kitchen, Andrew (‘85 Hines), Dean, Bolino
Unused subs: Ibrahimi, Wilson

Report from Oliver Whitmore, Photos Courtesy of Craig Dinsdale and Keith Handley