TADCASTER Albion picked up their first victory of the Northern Counties Eastern League premier division season, after a single goal from Lewis Stephens saw Bottesford Town defeated.

Mick O'Connell's side earned their first win of the season last weekend in the FA Cup against Redcar Athletic, and have now carried their form over into the league season to put some points on the board.

Despite heavy rain in the surrounding areas the SoTrak Stadium was spared the deluge and the pitch looked immaculate. There was just one change from the team that knocked Redcar Athletic out of the FA Cup with Declan Slater taking the place of Elliot Holmes.

The Brewers got an immediate wake up call following a gift from Dan Thirkell in the box, but thankfully the shot was no problem for Joe Wilton.

New signing Slater wasted no time as he attacked down the right flank, but his low shot from close-range was an easy take for Jordan Quibell between the sticks for Bottesford.

Lewis Stephens tried his luck from the eighteen-yard line, but again it proved no problem for the keeper.

On 24 minutes Albion had another chance as Charlie Owen and Slater broke down the right, before the incoming Stephens pushed the ball onto the Dan McDaid but it was cleared from close range.

The last action of the half saw Kieran Greenway outpace the Poachers defence down the right hand side, but his cross from the byline was cleared before Stephens or Slater could capitalise.

It had been a fairly even half but with Tadcaster frustrated many times in the opponent’s box.

On the hour mark, The Brewers finally broke the deadlock; Sam Kitchen lofted a free-kick from just inside the visitor’s half – Conor Qualter outjumped the Bottesford defence to nod the ball onto the advancing Stephens who headed it beyond Quibell.

Bottesford came straight back looking for the equaliser, their best effort on 66 minutes, a header just beyond the far post.

Tad had another opportunity following a foul on Slater but this time Qualter failed to connect with McDaid’s free kick.

As time ebbed away Crosby was clearly pushed in he back at he attacked on the edge of the box but referee Mollov waived play on. The last action, in five minutes of added time, saw a precision through ball from Hardcastle setting up a one on one for Ahmed and the goalkeeper, but Quibell got their first.

The first points of the season and the second of two consecutive wins for Albion.

Next Saturday Tadcaster travel to Tyneside to face West Allotment Celtic in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup. Celtic play in division One of the Northern League, which is the same level as the Brewers in the footballing ladder, for a 3pm kick-off.

Tadcaster Albion: Wilton, Owen (Hardcastle), McDaid ©, Thirkell, Qualter, Kitchen, Walters (Crosby), Kay, Stephens (Ahmed), Greenway (Roper), Slater (Stewart)