TADCASTER Albion completed their pre-season with a thrilling 4-3 win over Ashton United at the Global Stadium, writes Olly Wood.

Tadcaster will take huge confidence from another victory over higher tier opposition, having last week beaten Scarborough Athletic, who, like Ashton, play in the Northern Premier League (NPL) premier division.

Successive wins for the Brewers to close out their warm-up matches leaves them well-placed as they prepare to host Sheffield FC in their NPL east opener on Saturday, August 14.

Tadcaster started the game brightly against Ashton and their early possession led to striker Eddie Church curling in an effort from the edge of the box which was well saved by goalkeeper Greg Hartley.

Ally Hughes began the game in goal for Albion and was called into action to punch away a dangerously delivered corner just shy of the quarter of an hour mark.

The visitors opened the scoring on 18 minutes through former York City striker Jack Redshaw, who was left in space on the edge of the box and had the time to pick out the bottom corner.

Less than a minute later, Church hassled the defence and won the ball before seeing his deflected effort rattle the crossbar.

The referee however, pointed to the spot as a defender had handled the ball. Junayd Cassius-Gill stepped up but Hartley produced a fine save and tipped the ball onto the post.

That did not dent the Brewers' attack, which continued to look menacing and by the half hour mark, Tadcaster finally drew level.

Cassius-Gill atoned for his earlier penalty effort when he impressively headed home Jack Rose's pinpoint delivery.

However, Albion were ahead for just three minutes. Ex-Salford City forward Redshaw again showed clever movement to lose his man before stroking the ball into the corner for his brace.

Again though Tadcaster rallied and they equalised through a successful penalty from a trialist who had earlier been felled in the box.

The first-half action did end there either. Less than a minute afterwards, Tadcaster completed the remarkable turnaround.

Russell unleashed a stunning long-range effort that looped and curled into the top corner from his left foot that put his side ahead at the break.

As Tadcaster made a raft of half-time changes, the second half began at a much less frantic pace.

Ten minutes after the restart, the hosts nearly doubled their lead when Damien Giliga hit just wide of the post.

On the hour, Redshaw completed his hat-trick to send the score to 3-3 after the diminutive striker converted a penalty.

But that did not deny Tadcaster securing the victory. With 20 minutes left, Tadcaster scored their fourth and final goal of the game.

A clever through ball from Marco Basic went in behind the United and found a trialist winger.

The wide man then twisted and turned before setting up Basic who side-footed home from the edge of the box.

Tadcaster remained dangerous going forward for the remainder of the match, despite not being able to further add to the scoreboard.

The best of the late chances came for Ashton though when the impressive Harrison Davison-Hale made a sharp recovery save after his initial kick was charged down.

Manager Paul Quinn now has a free weekend to assess his squad before competitive action begins.