TADCASTER Albion claimed a second league win on the bounce with a 3-0 victory at Kendal Town, writes John Clothier.

The Brewers went above their opponents to eighth in the Northern Premier League north/west division - but may have a wait before their next fixture with another national lockdown coming into force on Thursday.

Ify Ofoegbu struck the opener seconds before the break, with Bailey Thompson and Simon Russell adding to make sure of the three points in the second half.

In a swirling wind neither team looked like scoring in the first quarter-hour, although Albion were the more cohesive side. Russell’s through ball was just too far for Ofoegbu to connect with, Cory Roper’s free kick was not picked up and keeper Morgan Bacon was equal to Junayd Pandor's effort after Romario Vieira's perfect pass.

The first real chance came on 16 minutes when Thompson was through in the box but Bacon was just able to get a hand on the shot from 12 yards.

For the hosts, Hugo Rodriguez was thwarted by James Ngoe as Kendal broke from a Tadcaster corner.

On 26 minutes Taddy went close as Russell collected Roper’s corner on the edge of the box and slammed it towards the top corner only for Bacon to make an incredible save.

Having had the best of the opening 45 and the benefit of a strong wind behind them, Tadcaster really needed to go into the interval with a lead - and it duly arrived on the stroke of half-time when a goal kick was firmly headed back into the danger area by Roper and Thompson reacted quickly to put Ofoegbu through for a one-on-one with Bacon. He timed the shot perfectly as the keeper came off his line.

If there were concerns about the effect of the strong wind on the visitors, they were quickly dispelled as the second half got underway.

The Town desperately needed to find an equaliser. Kendal’s Rodriguez netted on 57 minutes but was clearly offside and Jordan Scott launched a curler from 25 yards just wide of the near post.

The turning point coincided with the arrival of Kevin Santos, who took over from Ofoegbu with 25 minutes remaining. From the word go, the Portuguese created problems for the home side with his relentless speed and finishing down the flanks. He went close from the right flank having dribbled passed three defenders but Bacon was equal to the final shot.

He then changed to the left wing and, from the by-line, squeezed the ball through to Thompson who connected bravely, first time, under pressure from within the six-yard area. A classic striker’s goal.

The move for the final goal on 74 minutes went from defence to attack and involved eight Taddy players without Kendal touching the ball. Russell was there at the start of it on the left and was there at the end to collect James Ngoe's threaded ball to round the keeper and blast in from a tight angle.

Pickering Town conceded four for the second game running as they went down 4-1 at Mill Lane against Runcorn Linnets.

Iwan Murray netted the first of hat-trick on 17 minutes and Jacques Welsh added in the 36th minute.

Scunthorpe United loanee Harry Jessop pulled one back for the Pikes a minute after the restart but Murray struck twice in the final 10 minutes.

The 14th-placed Pikes host Pontefract Collieries tonight.