Report by Marco Hopcutt
Tadcaster hosted Lincoln United at the i2i Stadium on the final day of the regular season with play-off hopes still alive all depending on Sheffield FC’s result.
Taddy were relentless all afternoon scoring 8 goals on the last day of the Evo Stik East campaign. Paddy Miller on his final game before retirement bagged himself a first-half hat-trick, he was joined on the scoresheet by Aiden Savory, Jason Mycoe, Pete Davidson and a two-minute Casey Stewart brace.
Taddy’s 8-goal rampage was unfortunately not enough to see them grasp the final play-off spot due to Sheffield FC winning at Brighouse Town. However Taddy’s efforts to make the cut cannot be faulted.
Despite Taddy’s lively start it was the visitors that took a shock lead when Lincoln’s Matt Cotton curled one in off the post from 18 yards just 13 minutes in.
Continuing their lively start it didn’t take Albion long to respond when Aiden Savory saw his effort deflected out for a corner, Casey Stewart whipped in from the left-hand side and Paddy Miller, in potentially his last game before retirement, nodded in on 20 minutes.
Taddy took the lead just 4 minutes later when Casey Stewart assisting again, raced down the right hand side laying the ball on a plate for Aiden Savory to tap home.
The Brewers attacking ruthlessness continued when Luke Porritt was brought down in the box just two minutes later. Paddy Miller stepped up from 12 yards to double his tally on his big day firing the ball to the goalkeepers right who despite guessing right couldn’t prevent the ball hitting the net.
And would you believe it on 37 minutes Taddy were awarded another penalty and of course the man of the moment Miller stepped up to complete his hat trick and a first half I’m sure he’ll never forget.
Albion weren’t finished there for the first half though, Jason Mycoe’s effort from 35 yards took a huge bounce and beat the Lincoln keeper meaning Taddy entered the break with a resounding 5-1 lead.
A slow start to the second half saw Harry Coates replaced by Josh Barrett 5 minutes in, the centre back who had a solid first half seemed to have picked up a knock.
Taddy soon got back into their rhythm, Pete Davidson powered his first goal of the season in at the back post from a brilliant cross by Aaron Hardy making the game 6-1 with 35 to play.
Taddy with an excellent build up involving Howarth, Annan and Savory saw Annan’s final effort saved, would have been a spectacular goal to make it seven. Taddy, not taking their foot off the gas approaching last half an hour.
Not long to wait until Taddy did make it seven! Relentless now on a depleted Lincoln United. Stewart who’d been assisting in the first half got himself on the scoresheet with a nice low driven finish into the corner in the 65th minute. Stewart just one minute later finished again into the roof of the net to make it 8-1 to Taddy!
Taddy made their second change of the game with 20 minutes remaining, Jason Mycoe’s afternoon came to an end with Jake Rose replacing him.
Substitute Jake Rose nearly made an immediate impact in the 73rd minute being played into the box but saw his close range effort go over the bar, very nearly nine for Taddy!
Taddy’s final change came with ten minutes to go, goalscorer Pete Davidson was replaced by young Matty Savage making his first senior appearance of the season.
Lincoln United managed to grab themselves two late consolation goals in quick succession in the 82nd and 83rd minutes. Ben Davison grabbing both goals that don’t affect the end result very much.
The full time result being an emphatic 8-3 victory for the brewers, missing out on the play offs by just a point. A special mention has to go to Paddy Miller who on his final appearance grabbed a hat trick and was solid in defence. Good luck in retirement Paddy.
Full-Time: Tadcaster Albion 8-3 Lincoln United