TADCASTER Albion kick off their Evo-Stik League first division north campaign tomorrow with a trip to Ramsbottom United.

The Brewers rounded off their pre-season campaign in midweek with a 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United’s development team – but it was a performance with plenty of positives to take into the new season.

The i2i Stadium pitch held up well despite the torrential rainfall throughout the whole of Tuesday and during the contest itself.

Michael Morton's side started on the front foot and almost broke through Sheffield's backline on a number of occasions early on, with the offside flag raised on each attack.

Tom Corner had the first noteworthy effort at goal, striking high into the side-netting after Aiden Savory had burst in behind and pulled the ball back to the striker.

The forward should have broken the deadlock six minutes later but squandered a brilliant chance.

Midfielder Pete Davidson clipped a lovely ball in behind for Corner to latch onto, but Marcus Dewhurst in the United goal got down well to keep the match scoreless.

The visitors grew into the damp pre-season encounter, showcasing their impressive passing and moving abilities – and they struck first in the 25th minute.

The Brewers conceded possession cheaply on the halfway line and Jake Wright drove down the left-hand side before cutting in on his right foot and tucking his finish into the bottom corner.

Albion were back on level terms inside the first minute of the second half.

Conor Sellars pounced on a loose pass and pulled it square to a trialist, who side-footed home.

Sheffield re-took the lead nine minutes into the half with Oliver Greaves’ long-range ripper pinging in off the post.

Tadcaster almost bounced back immediately with a second equaliser but Corner’s sliding effort at the back post was kept out by Dewhurst.

Taddy keeper Michael Ingham then brilliantly tipped Harvey Gilmour’s whipped strike onto the post before it was Dewhurst’s turn to make a good save at the other end.

Piteu Crouz drove at the Sheffield defence before cutting inside and feeding Danny Frost whose fierce low drive was tipped wide of the mark.

Substitutes Crouz and Frost both came close to drawing the scores level but neither could get their shot away.

Those missed opportunities was pounced upon by the young Blades. An individual error at the back let Wright in on goal and the young forward finished well.

Taddy continued to look dangerous and pushed the impressive visitors until the end with Crouz and Frost looking the most threatening.

* PICKERING Town head to Pontefract Collieries tomorrow in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Paul Marshall's men opened their league season with a 0-0 draw at Maltby Main on Wednesday evening. That followed an impressive 3-0 FA Cup victory at Billingham Town last weekend.