Tadcaster Albion ran out 4-1 winners against Northern Premier Division One East playoff hopefuls Silsden AFC, with a brace from Oli Norman sandwiched between goals from Player/Manager Ryan Qualter and substitute Daniel Davy.

Tadcaster entered today’s game winless in their last five and sitting inside the relegation zone, whilst Silsden currently sit one league above the Brewers with the two teams being separated by over 30 league places.

Tadcaster were without Harry Stead with La ’Trell McKenzie Jones starting in his place after a powerful performance in goal against Dearne on Saturday. Also, absent were defensive pair Thierry Eastwood and Sam Pashley, their places taken by Qualter and Curtis Senior.

It did not take long for Tadcaster to get on the board as after just three minutes a corner drifted its way through to the back post where Qualter escaped Aaron Pickles to cushion the ball into the net to give Albion an early lead. 1 - 0.

However, just before the twenty-minute mark, Silsden winger Andrew Buah broke through, cutting inside and beating multiple challenges before sliding the
ball to Zack Khan whose effort nestled into the net to equalise for the away side. 1 - 1.

With half an hour played, Buah forced Jones into action with a strong save from close range . However, the corner was headed clear by Senior to Oli Norman who worked the ball past midfield and played a one-two with Nick Thompson who then put him through on goal only to be bundled over by Lewis Gardner who gave away a penalty and picked up a booking in the process. Norman stepped up to take the spot kick and with Brown diving the wrong way, buried his effort into the right of the goal, giving Tadcaster a 2-1 lead.

Norman almost doubled his tally moments later, after Tobias Jeffrey failed to shield the ball out of play enabling the striker to carry it forward into the box but his low strike was just turned away by Brown.

Charlie Owen was the first Brewer in the book after bringing down his man just before the half time whistle.

After the restart, Norman was the first to react picking up a defence splitter from Jayden Clarke-Thompson and driving forward, braving the challenge from the defender, he then smashed the ball past Brown from the eighteen-yard line to give the keeper no chance and Tadcaster a two-goal lead 3-1.

Approaching the hour, Thompson went into the book for a late challenge in midfield. Moments later, Clarke-Thompson intercepted a pass in midfield and drove forward before laying the ball into Des Okoro whose goal bound effort was clawed away by Brown.

Dan Davy took over from Qualter with just over 20 minutes to go. Almost immediately he picked up a wayward cross and passed to fellow substitute Olly Green who’s lofted cross found the head of Okoro who slammed his effort onto the crossbar.

A minute later Davy repeated the oncoming run, this time with a shot from the edge of the area, which rolled under the keeper to add Tadcaster’s fourth. 4 – 1.

A series of substitutes followed as the match entered its final quarter, with Silsden substitute Luke Brooksbank having to come off the field again with an unfortunate injury, being replaced by Dexter Ball.

The win sees Tadcaster advance to the third round of the competition they won last season, with the draw date yet to be confirmed.

Our Thanks to La’Trell Mackenzie for standing in for Harry Stead again

Tadcaster’s next game is an all-important clash with relegation rivals Parkgate at home on Saturday 14th, Kick Off 3.00 pm.

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match Jayden Clarke-Thompson

La Tell Mackenzie Jones, Ryan Gothard, Curtis Senior, Oliver Metcalfe (Olly Green), Ryan Qualter (Dan Davy), Charlie Owen ©, Jayden Clarke-Thompson, Spencer Harris, Desmond Okoro (Noah Kiwomya) , Nick Thompson (Charlie Ward), Oliver Norman (Alex Clark)

Report from Kieran Crook – Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley