Scarborough Athletic 0 Tadcaster Albion 1
Tadcaster picked up another win in their second-to-last game of pre-season against Northern Premier League side Scarborough Athletic.
Junayd Cassius-Gill’s 20th-minute strike was enough for Tad to take the victory while playing their opponents at the Flamingo Land Stadium on Tuesday, July 27. Following an impressive performance at the weekend, the Brewers once again put together a good showing - this time with the result to match. Tadcaster started the game brightly, immediately getting on the front foot through skipper Simon Russell who delivered a dangerous cross, which was defended well. Just before the 10 minute mark, the keeper, Harrison Davison-Hale was called into action for the first time, out quickly to smother an effort from close range. Taddy quickly responded when Corey Roper delivered a free-kick onto the head of Jack Crook, but he couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Less than five minutes later, Davison-Hale made another very smart save with his legs to deny Nathan Cartman. Tadcaster broke the deadlock after 20 minutes with a skilful goal by Cassius-Gill, cutting in from the right and firing with his left foot low into the corner of the net. Ten minutes before the break, the hosts’ efforts to score were denied again with a brilliant save from the keeper. With one last attempt at a goal before the break, Lewis Turner picked up the ball and fired from the edge of the box only to see his effort strike the post and roll away from the net, fortunately for Tad. The second-half got off to a bumpy start, with half-time bringing about pouring rain and within two minutes of kick-off, Albion’s Kieran Burton was shown the red card for dangerous play. Moments later, Davison-Hale was forced into another top save to deny Will Thornton from close range.
Despite being reduced to 10, Taddy rallied and grew into the game, grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and creating some good openings. Cassius-Gill was again involved and almost had his and Tad’s second goal of the night, only for his attempt to cannon back off the upright. Eddie Church would then get a sight of goal on the hour mark, breaking through the hosts’ defence and baring down on goal only to be denied by a good save from the keeper’s legs. With around a quarter of an hour to play, Scarborough picked up their game and began throwing everything they could at the Tadcaster defence. The Brewers defence stayed compact and dealt with everything chucked their way, committing countless bodies to make vital blocks, whilst anything that managed to penetrate the backline was expertly dealt with by Davison-Hale. Tad did have a couple of chances on the break, as the hosts committed men forward, substitute Oli Norman creating space in the box before stinging the keeper’s hands with a strike. Damien Giliga thought he had sewn up the victory for Tadcaster only for his dinked effort over the keeper to be headed off the line by a covering defender. The 10 men of Tad stood firm and came out with a dogged and deserved win in the end. Tadcaster produced the only real moment of quality which saw Cassius-Gill find the corner and their defensive efforts were remarkable. Davison-Hale continued his excellent form as keeper, completing his first 90 minutes in goal since joining the club. A nice moment for Tadcaster Albion was seeing Jack Rose make his return to action off the bench in the second half and being part of the heroic defending in the latter stages of the game.
The game finished 1-0 to Tadcaster. Paul Quinn, again, can take a number of positives from a spirited and determined performance from his men, who host another Northern Premier League side at the Global Stadium on Saturday, July 31, this time, taking on Ashton United. Report by Olly Wood and photos by Patrick Gouldsbrough.
Junayd Cassius-Gill takes aim. (05-08-53 PG)
