Taddy 1 Lincoln United 2

Summer returned to the Global Stadium on Saturday when Lincoln United made the relatively long journey to Ings Lane. Tadcaster were still without skipper Simon Russell and defender Freddie Sass but it was a welcome return up front from Eddie Church following his three-match ban. Nice to see Junayd Cassius Gill again albeit on crutches at the start of his long recouperation.

It was a good start for the home side although we have seen that several times this campaign all to no avail. With just three minutes played Donald Chimalilo looked to be clear for a strike on goal from an exceptionally long kick from Harrison Davison – Hale, but was fractionally offside. Kieran Burton then put Church away for a one on one with keeper Woolley but the shot was just wide. Not that Lincoln were in any way backwards in coming forwards as on 7 minutes they broke down the left but a timely intervention from Dan Hartley quelled the danger.

On 10 minutes Marco Basic put a defence splitter to Chimalilo in space, but his twenty yarder produced an equally fine save from the keeper. Romario Vieira put Church through but his shot lacked the power to worry Woolley. Albion kept up the pressure with Basic almost on the score sheet with 20 minutes played and Fraser Papprill’s header from a Cory Roper corner, flashing wide.

However, Tadcaster seemed to lose concentration as Lincoln broke out of defence and centre forward Jake Park was through with just Davison-Hale in front for a simple conversion. 0 – 1

The Brewers were straight back as Church dribbled in from the right but the angle was impossible when he struck the ball goalward. Davison-Hales poor clearance on the half hour fell straight to Tobias Liversidge but fortunately he failed to capitalise. The Tad shot stopper was again in action 10 minutes before the interval with a brave punch out from a well taken corner.

Tadcaster were awarded a free kick just inside their own half, Roper finding Basic clear on the left, but the resulting cross was disappointing. As the interval beckoned Church collected the ball outside the box but having made space for the shot, it again lacked enough power to worry the keeper.

At the break Tadcaster remained a goal down despite having dominated the opening forty-five. One wondered just where the equaliser would come from.

Taddy resumed on the front foot but a dangerous cross almost straight from the restart went begging. Kieran Burton looked re energised with some pulsating runs down the left flank, aided and abetted by Roper and Basic but although reaching the final third was relatively easy , goal scoring opportunities were few.

On 57 minutes Vieira was clattered by Lincoln Captain Mathew Cotton just outside the box but although he dusted himself down to take the free kick, it was an easy take for Woolley as Church sped in. At the other end the impressive Papprill dispossessed Park ten yards from the goal line.

Tadcaster were starting to menace their visitors. Des Amponsah had a chance on 57 minutes after Basic battled his way through the opposing defence, but Woolley was first to the ball. Almost immediately Church stung the keeper’s hands but there was nobody there to convert the spill. Amponsah went on a solo run down the left but his decent cross eluded the front men.

Olly Norman was on for Eddie Church on 65 minutes just before Davison-Hale produced the save of the day as Cotton struck a beautiful free kick around the Albion wall but the keeper kept his eye on the ball diving at full stretch to parry it away to safety – goal keeping at its absolute best.

On 70 minutes Tadcaster got the equaliser they deserved; Fraser Papprill rose majestically to meet Roper’s corner only to see the ball thunder off the upright but in the melee which ensued Donald Chimalilo somehow managed a bicycle kick fooling everybody as the ball sailed into the net. 1 – 1.

That should have been the signal for the Tad players to press on and secure the game but in recent matches it seems to have worked the other way and this was to be no different. Five minutes later, Lincoln were back in front when after three consecutive corners nobody picked up Park on the far post who produced a straightforward header to put his side back in the lead. 1 – 2.

With tackles from both sides getting a little frantic, Damian Giliga was on for Hartley as manager Steve Waide went in search of another equaliser. Roper’s cross with 5 minutes left on the clock needed all of Woolley’s agility as he produced a fingertip save whilst Chimalilo, who never stopped running at the Lincoln defence throughout the entire match, saw his effort from an acute angle hit the side netting. Chimalilo was not finished as in the last minute he was through to a one on one but the keeper was quickly out and got a hand on the ball before the Taddy dynamo could strike.

Immediately after the match, interim Manager Steve Waide resigned from the Club. In his four games in charge The Brewers had only managed a solitary point from what on paper looked a possible twelve. It was a sad end for a man who for over 2 years had lived and breathed Tadcaster Albion and had achieved much both on and off the pitch. He will be fondly remembered.

The Club has already sought applications for the vacant managerial position but must now ready themselves for a home game next Friday when second from top , Marske United visit the Global Stadium. Kick Off 7.45 pm

Davison-Hale, Hartley (Giliga), Burton, Roper ©, Papprill, Chimalilo, Vieira, Church (Norman), Basic (Crook), Amponsah. Subs Not Used Ejupi, Hughes

Report from John Clothier. Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley and Ian Parker