TADCASTER Albion fell to a narrow defeat in rainy conditions against a tough Ossett United side on Friday night.

After Ossett thumped Tadcaster 4-1 last season in the Northern Premier League East division one, the Brewers found themselves in a much closer contest in pre-season with just the single goal separating the two sides.

A goal from Jayden John handed Ossett the win, with Tadcaster building preparations ahead of their pre-season match against Vanarama National League outfit York City on Saturday, July 22 (1pm).

Ossett immediately took the game to the home side and five minutes passed before Albion managed a foray into the opponent’s half.

Alex Peterson had a chance on seven minutes but could only strike off-target, whilst a corner from the visitors needed minimal connection but there was nobody in the box to convert.

Following good work from Kieran Greenway and Lewis Stephens, Tadcaster had their first corner on ten minutes but Tawheed Ahmed’s shot lacked power.

At the other end, TJ Ibrahim had a shot from a difficult angle which cleared the bar.

Tadcaster countered with Sam Kay putting Stephens in behind, but the striker could not get his shot away.

The Brewers had weathered the early pressure and with the match finally balanced, and had a chance to open their account on 20 minutes - Ahmed, displaying exquisite ball control, crossed from the byline but neither Greenway nor Stephens were able to apply the finishing touch.

With half-time beckoning, Ossett were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal, but the strike was directly at Joe Wilton .

Heading into the second half, Ossett again started the restart on the front foot, but it was the Brewers who almost stole the show; one of the Ossett trialists played short ball back to keeper Green but as Stephens closed in he was clattered - the Taddy players appealed to the referee but nothing was given.

On the hour Greenway was tugged back by this shirt collar as he charged towards goal. He took the subsequent free kick beautifully, right onto the foot of Thirkell, who volleyed over. Almost immediately Ahmed tried an audacious attempt from 20-yards but it was straight at Green.

Thirkell cleared a dangerous pass across the six-yard box but after three consecutive corners Ossett took the lead through John, with Wilton having no chance at all from point blank range .

On 83 minutes Corey Roper came as close to an equaliser as is possible; collecting a pass from Josh Hardcastle before unleashing a thunderbolt from 30-yards. Green could hardly move as it smashed against the far post and away to safety.

The match ended in Ossett's favour, but the Tadcaster players could feel they ended the match in high spirits after a battling performance.

Manager Mick O’Connell said on the match: “I like tests at this time of year - I don’t like teams you are going to pop off the park and win five or six nil.”