TADCASTER Albion's penultimate home friendly of the 2024/25 season ended in an action-packed 7-3 defeat to promoted Emley.
The two sides tackled one another last campaign in the Northern Counties Eastern League premier division, with Emley twice defeating Tadcaster, once 5-1 and once 2-0.
Mick O'Connell's side were keen to continue their pre-season preparations after previous matches with Selby Town, Scarborough Athletic and Brighouse Town.
The Brewers' strike Jordan Hines had a chance in a strong opening from Tadcaster but it was the visitors who quickly stamped their authority on the game with goals in the fourth and sixth minutes. Despite a terrific save from Sam Green from the dangerous Alhassane Keita, the Tad keeper could do nothing as the striker hammered home the first from the edge of the box, before Samuel Pashley made no mistake from close range.
With the Brewers desperate to restrict breaks from their opponents, Amir Berchil charged down the right flank before cutting inside to let fly but just inches wide.
That said, Albion were beginning to settle – Alfie Dean’s free kick was cleared whilst Shaun Hudson’s long cross from the left flank was just too far for the front men.
On 21 minutes, Emely extended their advantage when former Brewer Nathan Curtis made no mistake from the 18-yard line.
Hudson soon tested the Emley keeper with a long effort from the left whilst Josh Hardcastle put Luca Bollino through but he could not, under pressure, get a shot away.
Emley again showed their speed on the break, as Donae Lawrence sped down the left and on a solo run took the ball around the diving Green at the near post for an easy conversion.
Bollino and Dean both had chances as Tad stoically battled back but it was the visitors again going close with a sitter launched over the bar with six minutes to go before half-time, before Green denied the impressive Curtis just before the whistle.
With Sam Kitchen and Mason Wilson on, the Brewers took the game to their opponents and on 50 minutes opened their account when Hines produced an unstoppable drive from the edge of the box to make it 4-1.
On 52 minutes, Fatlum Ibrahimi almost doubled the score after a good one-two with Dean, but Declan Lambton got down well to quell the danger.
At the other end Green rushed off his line to rob the incoming Metcalfe from connecting with a dangerous cross.
On the hour, Hines outjumped the Emley defence to emphatically head home from Dean’s corner, halving the deficit.
The comeback did not last long when on 63 minutes, Keita powered a penalty beyond Green, despite the Taddy shot stopper guessing correctly.
Hines made way for a trialist striker who quickly made his presence felt when he split the opposing defence to find Hudson lurking but goalkeeper, Lambton, averted the danger as he claimed the ball at the foot of the near post.
With time ebbing away Emley countered and on 82 minutes extended their lead as Lawrence took advantage of poor defending to nod the ball into the near corner giving the unsighted Green no chance.
Worse was to come three minutes later as Birchill broke through.
In the very last minute of the match Dean restored some faith as he thumped Hardcastle’s pass beyond Lampton.
Tadcaster Albion squad: Green, Ryan, Holmes, Knowles, Hardcastle, Ibrahimi, Bollino, Robinson, Hines, Hudson, Kitchen, Thirkall , Wilson, Shepherd, Trialist
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