Report by Olly Wood

TADCASTER Albion continued their pre-season preparations by coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Newcastle Blue Star at the Global Stadium.

Tadcaster manager Paul Quinn again used the game as an opportunity to hand chances to several trialists ahead of the start of the league season next month.

For the second friendly in a row Tadcaster made a raft of changes at half-time and shortly after the hour mark they managed to break the deadlock.

Two trialists combined for the goal with the trialist winger laying the finish on a plate for the trialist striker.

Tadcaster were unable to hold on to that lead though and, with ten minutes left, fell behind after conceding a penalty and a deflected from a corner kick.

There remained time though for the Brewers to conjure an equaliser as bright spark Romario Vieira produced a stunning top-corner finish from some 30 yards out to earn his side a draw.

Tadcaster’s pre-season friendly against National League North side Darlington, scheduled for this evening, has been cancelled after the North East club had nine first-team players unavailable for the game.

Instead, Albion are set to host AFC Emley on Thursday evening (7.30pm), subject to final confirmation.

Fellow Northern Premier League east division side Pickering Town ramped up their preparations for the return of competitive action in a 2-0 defeat at North Ferriby.

Pickering have also announced several new signings ahead of the new campaign.

Fans’ favourite midfielder Lewis Taylor, who played for the club between 2011 and 2019 and made over 250 Pickering appearances during that time, has returned to the Pikes.

Town manager Steve Roberts has also signed up two trialists, with Aston Harrison and Matt Broadley joining the club on permanent deals.

Selby Town's preparations have been halted as Covid precautions have forced the Robins to call off the trips to Pontefract Collieries (Saturday 10) and Goole (tonight).

Pickering and Tadcaster will both enter the FA Cup at the preliminary round this year and the FA Trophy at the second qualifying round.

In the Cup on Saturday, August 21, the Pikes travel to Marske United and Taddy host either Newton Aycliffe or Thornaby.

On Saturday, October 9 in the Trophy, the Pikes host Ramsbottom United and Taddy welcome Runcorn Linnets.

Selby Town are not in the Cup this year but go into the FA Vase at the first round qualifying stage, where they face Hemsworth Miners Welfare on Saturday, September 11, with a Saturday, September 25 trip to either Winteron Rangers or Macclesfield on offer to the victors.