Tadcaster Albion collapse to league leaders Golcar

Golcar, a team with a 100% home record this season, knew that a win would take them to the top of the table with still a game in hand on Penistone Church and Albion Sports.

Mick O'Connell was without the injured James Knowles, Jordan Hines and Junayd Cassius-Gill, whilst Charlie Owen remained on the sick list.

As they did in last Saturday’s match at Rossington, Tadcaster looked for an early strike with Ethan Kachosa leading the charge with a pulsating run down the left flank but the cross into the six-yard box eluded Albert Ibrahimi.

On five minutes, he had a one on one with goalkeeper Harry Stead who saved with his feet.

Albion had Sam Green to thank for a point blank save on 24 minutes. Petch then tried a 25-yard strike which was easily taken by the Tad shot-stopper.

With half-time beckoning, Ben Tweed’s late tackle resulted in a yellow card and then with two minutes  to go before the break Tadcaster were caught out; Jake Kelly’s run down the flank ended with a corner, the cross from which sailed over the Brewers defence for the simplest of tap-ins to the far corner from centre forward Alfie Wilkinson.

In added time Luca Bolino seized on a poor back pass to Stead, but could not get a shot away, whilst the last action of the half fell to Kieran Greenway who skyed his long-range effort.

It was a disappointing way to end an opening half in which although the hosts had the better of the play, Tadcaster failed to take their chances.

Tadcaster Albion celebrate Luca Bollino's equaliser against Golcar. (Image: Craig Dinsdale) It was now the turn of Golcar to take the game to the visitors with North putting a tremendous through ball into the box but just beyond Wilkinson.

The match was about to turn ugly when Tweed was needlessly brought down by Petch, leading to a degree of chaos which saw both Petch and Elliot Holmes booked.

Against the run of play, The Brewers equalised with 18 minutes remaining – Fatlum Ibrahimi’s long cross pitch free-kick found Bolino in space on the right flank, where he coolly slotted the ball into the far corner.

The comeback turned to despair as Golcar came straight back from the restart.

They broke quickly down the right flank as Holmes was adjudged to have fouled in the box which resulted in his dismissal and, after consulting with his assistant, the referee awarding a penalty. Sam Kitchen was then sin–binned.

Wilkinson made no mistake in restoring the home lead on 75 minutes whilst Tad were temporarily reduced to nine men. 

With eight minutes of added time, Ibrahimi saw his free kick from 30-yards well over the bar but there was no way back.

Another disappointing scoreline albeit the opposition is now top of the league, their home record intact.

Taddy must now focus on this Friday’s (7.45pm) home league match when Campion are the visitors.

TADCASTER ALBION: Green, Hardcastle, Wilson, Holmes, Qualter, F. Ibrahimi, Bolino, Tweed, A.Ibrahimi, Greenway, Kachosa.

Substitutes all used : Kitchen, Ellington, Thirkell, Andrew, Hudson.