TADCASTER Albion’s biggest attendance since Chester of last season turned up to see if the Brewers could make it through against two leagues higher Macclesfield in the Emirates FA Cup, who have yet to be beaten this season and are on equal points with Hyde and Ashton United at the top of the Northern Premier.
The Silkmen’s pressure right from the kick off was intense with Tom Clare missing a golden opportunity after just three minutes when the striker’s screamer hit the side netting.
Alex Curran missed another opportunity a minute later but he headed wide.
It was five minutes before Taddy got the ball into the opposition’s half but Elliot Andrew’s cross was easily cut out by skipper Laurent Mendy.
Clare had another attempt not long after, but Sam Green was more than equal to it. Brandon Lee looked ready to open the scoring but for a well-timed interception from James Knowles.
On 17 minutes, Macclesfield had two more chances as Knowles again thwarted Lee’s effort before Clare failed to do justice to a defence-splitting cross. Curran then volleyed a cross from the right flank but Green read it well and saved brilliantly.
Tadcaster had survived the initial pressure and slowly began making inroads to the visitor’s half, but not before Elliot Holmes headed off the goal line as Courtney Duffus threatened at the midway point of the half.
Luca Bolino, looking dangerous on the left flank, was grabbed by Fensome as he closed in on the box – Kieran Greenway’s free kick into the area looked to be clearly hand-balled but referee Johnston would have none of it.
Fatlum Ibrahimi showed his usual skill evading two defenders but his through ball to Bolino saw the Tad front man squeezed out by two defenders.
Albion had their best chance on 35 minutes but Charlie Owen was flicked just wide of the post, whilst almost immediately Bolino again showed class beating two defenders before the ball was cleared for a corner – Tad’s first of the match. Greenway ‘s first cross had to be retaken after some jostling in the six-yard box but a partial clearance fell to Sam Kitchen whose overhead shot from the edge of the box presented keeper Tom Scott, an ex-Tadcaster junior, with a comfortable take.
Macclesfield had the last chance of the half but Clare’s header was low and wide.
The Brewers had responded well having soaked up the initial lengthy pressure - everything to play for!
Ben Tweed was on for Kitchen who was limping after a crunching tackle earlier whilst the Silkmen brought on John Rooney, brother of Manchester United legend Wayne, Paul Dawson and Justin Johnson – fair to say that they would play a major part in the second 45.
In the very first minute of the second half, the visitors took the lead: Dawson’s first touch proved decisive as the ball took a deflection and agonisingly trickled into the net.
Tadcaster responded positively and had another penalty shout waived away on 54 minutes as Bolino twisted and turned his way into the box. Tweed made an instant impression but was adjudged off side on 56 minutes as he looked for the equaliser.
The hill became a mountain, however, just on the hour mark as Dawson extended the Silkmen’s lead with his second of the afternoon. Johnson found him on the edge of the box from where he gave Green no chance .
On 62 minutes, defender Lee miss-hit his shot but Green was ready for the spinning ball and again showed great composure with a magnificent save from Johnson’s eighteen yarder.
With Alfie Dean on for Andrew and Junayd Cassius-Gill replacing Ibrahimi, Tad continued their search for a goal but Macclesfield still looked extremely dangerous.
Johnson tried a lob from twelve yards but it cleared the bar whilst for the Brewers’ Bolino’s dangerous cross on 80 minutes was cleared for a corner.
With just six minutes left, Dawson secured his hat-trick and could have added a fourth when he headed wide from Lee’s cross in the final minute of normal time under pressure from Elliot Holmes.
With 5 minutes added time Dean saw his shot blocked whist Cassis-Gill had the final chance but was caught offside.
It was always going to be the toughest of games against the full-timers from non-league level three, but now Tadcaster must concentrate on the league and their next game on Tuesday evening away to Knaresborough Town (7.45pm).
TADCASTER ALBION: Green, Hardcastle, Owen, Thirkell, Holmes, Knowles (Wilson), Greenway, Ibrahimi (Cassius-Gill), Andrew (Dean), Kitchen (Tweed), Bolino (Ibrahimi)
Attendance: 490
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