Quickfire goals plummet Tadcaster Albion to defeat at Knaresborough

This ensured a second league win in a row for the home side, while the Brewers are yet to win away from home despite an encouraging three wins from their opening five league games.

Sam Green was called into action just four minutes in, as Tadcaster were dispossessed in their own half. The cross incoming from the right was headed down by Priestley at the back post for Jack Wilson’s shot to be parried at point blank range by the sprawling goalkeeper.

Tadcaster were nearly punished for another lapse in concentration as Fatlum Ibrahimi lost out in a battle to meet James Beaston’s headed clearance.

Knaresborough frontman Priestley picked up possession and sprinted into space down the right wing, crossing low and finding right winger Alex Ingham, who sent a first time shot over the bar.

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Tadcaster hadn’t managed to carve any clear cut opportunities in the opening 20 minutes, only showing flashes of brilliance on the ball when incorporating wide men Luca Bolino and Alfie Dean in their attacks – at the centre of which, Ben Tweed was looking dangerous in the half spaces.

Knaresborough’s opener arrived as the away side continued to show hesitancy in possession. A misplaced pass in the defensive half found holding midfielder George Thewlis, who showed incredible vision and flair to spot Sam Green off his line and lob a shot from 40 yards into the net. 1-0.

Unable to find a response before the 40 minute mark, the home side soon doubled their lead. Without much support available, Mason Wilson was robbed of the ball in the left back position and Knaresborough broke away down the right once more. The low cross was steered past Green by an unfortunate Fatlum Ibrahimi, desperately sliding to intercept the ball and prevent a tap in. 2-0.

The Brewers’ poor first half was compounded by a third goal for their opponents with 2 minutes left until half time. Breaking away at speed before being awarded a free kick on the left wing, the set piece was curled into the front post and headed in by provider-turned-goal-scorer James Beaston, who lost his marker too easily.

Tadcaster carved out their first notable change 5 minutes into the second half, as Ibrahimi found Bolino with a curling long ball before he sent in a cross to Alfie Dean at the back post whose shot was deflected behind. A short corner routine moved the ball quickly to Greenway on the edge of the box, aiming for the bottom right corner with a low shot wide of the post.

Tadcaster Albion slipped to seventh in the NCEL table after a disappointing collapse to Knaresborough Town. (Image: Craig Dinsdale)

Knaresborough continued to threaten with fast, aggressive counter attacks moving the ball efficiently into space out wide. Adam Priestley, in an active and creative performance, dropped deep to collect possession on halfway before picking out Jack Wilson. His reverse pass found Thewlis, in on goal for his second yet thwarted by Sam Green diving down to his left to direct the shot behind for the corner.

The fourth would arrive courtesy of a corner being swung in from the left and the ball striking the heel of an unmarked Adam Priestley, who seemed to know little of it before rolling over the line for his fourth league goal of the season. 4-0.

Tadcaster nearly ended on a high with a consolation goal as Luca Bolino outmuscled the Knaresborough left-back and ran infield. His pass from the byline found Elliot Andrew, but the shot was straight at goalkeeper and captain Tommy Brown with substitute Albert Ibrahimi unable to pounce on the rebound.

Their last attack summed up the evening for the Brewers, who were very unsure in possession at times until they began to settle into their preferred “wing play” style too late into the game. The defeat sees Tadcaster slip to 7th in the table, a point outside the play-off places, and will resume league action away to Hallam on Tuesday 10th September at 7:45PM.

TADCASTER ALBION: GREEN, OWEN, WILSON (McDAID, 72), THIRKELL, HOLMES (HARDCASTLE, 60), F. IBRAHIM, DEAN (A. IBRAHIM, 60), GREENHWAY, ANDREW, TWEED (CASSIUS-GILL, 76), BOLINO.

ATTENDANCE: 323