REPORT | Late Equaliser Takes Play-Off Race To Final Day

Report by Marco Hopcutt

Tadcaster Albion made the short journey to Pickering Town today in a local derby in the Evo-Stik East.

Two late goals from both sides saw the points shared in North Yorkshire. Danny Earls’ 84th minute strike was cancelled out by Aiden Savory with only minutes left to play.

Tadcaster found themselves just three points outside the play-off places before kick-off meaning a win could put them into fifth place depending on the Sheffield FC result.

However it was the home side who applied the early pressure in the game with a couple of half chances in the opening 10 minutes. Brad Freer saw a long range effort sail over Ingham’s crossbar before Pickering’s number 7 was played through on goal moments later but saw his looped effort land on the roof of the net.

Pickering had another chance to open the scoring but saw a deflected effort smothered quickly by Ingham. Pickering threatened again 25 minutes in with number 9 seeing a half volley whistle wide. The game was very much end to end but only Pickering were creating chances to threaten an opening goal.

Taddy found their feet in this tie around the half hour mark with a couple of good chances of opening the scoring themselves. Luke Porritt had a good chance racing down the left hand side into the penalty area but his low driven shot was wide. Aiden Savory had two chances to break the deadlock but was denied by Harry Foulkes in the Pickering goal. The teams went into the break at 0-0 after a very scrappy first half.

Taddy started the second half brightly with two early chances; Pete Davidson saw an effort go over the bar followed by a Paddy Miller free-kick which ended with the same outcome.

Will Annan caused problems during the second half with a brilliant cross that was cleared, Annan also showed great link up play with Savory getting into the 18 yard box but Foulkes gathered well in the Pickering goal.

Taddy continued to threaten the Pickering goal with Casey Stewart cutting in from the left but saw his low effort saved once again by Foulkes who had kept the Pikes in the game.

The hosts very nearly broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 55th minute when Brad Freer’s effort on goal was saved well down to his right by Ingham.

The game really started to come to life with Taddy continuing to press the Pickering goal, a good cross from Luke Porritt was spilt by Foulkes but no one in a yellow shirt could convert the dropped ball.

Taddy finally had the ball in the net in the 60th minute but the linesman’s flag was raised against Chris Howarth.

Albion had been by far the most dangerous of the two sides in the second half but couldn’t break the Pickering back four who continued to defend well.

Approaching the final 10 minutes of the game both teams had half chances but neither side were able to break the deadlock. Casey Stewart saw his effort tipped onto the post after a long ball forward fell to his feet.

Pickering took the lead in the 84th minute through Danny Earl. A Tadcaster corner was cleared, Earl picked the ball up in the final third and raced into the 18 yard area before firing into the Taddy net.

With a defeat looming, Taddy equalised with only minutes to go through Aiden Savory who saw his first effort saved superbly by Foulkes but the number 10 made no mistake with the rebound taking it round the keeper and defender to roll into the net.

A draw was not the result Taddy needed to climb into the play off places but the hopes remain alive with Sheffield FC only managing a draw themselves.

Full-Time: Pickering Town 1-1 Tadcaster Albion