ON the hottest day of the year, Tadcaster Albion were out to build on their midweek draw at Campion against a Golcar United side which at the start of play was just two points above them in the league.

Albion started at a blistering pace and right from the kick off could have taken the lead, but Luke Stewarts long-range effort was cleared.

Golcar‘s first foray into the Tadcaster area on five minutes saw the flag up for offside but the Brewers were straight back on the attack; Crosby was clattered just inches from the box after a pinpoint cross ball from Corey Roper; McDaid’s free kick was spilled by Kelly but Stewart could not get a head onto it.

At the other end the visitor’s breakaway ended when Joe Skarz mistiming his shot whilst McDaid was in the thick of things again on seventeen minutes to clear Cox’s header which rebounded off the crossbar.

Albion almost opened the score on 27 minutes when Crosby met another pinpoint Greenway through ball only to see his angled shot smash against the underside of the woodwork and out to safety.

Nevertheless, the subsequent corner fell to McDaid who unleashed a 30-yarder towards the top corner, but his effort hit the wrong side of the upright.

With Golcar now very much mixing it with Albion, the visitors took the lead on the half hour, Cox outjumping the advancing Joe Wilton to head home from a cross into the box.

Tad reacted positively with Crosby going wide just after play recommenced and Sam Kitchen clearing the bar from a corner.

Missed early opportunities saw the Brewers one goal down – Golcar were very much matching their hosts for speed and effort.

Tadcaster started the second half as they did the opening forty-five – very much on the front foot.

Sam Kay who had already put in an immense performance was through on 46 minutes but his first touch resulted in a goal kick. Norman’s teasing dribbling down the left saw a perfect pull back but neither of the other front men had read it. Qualter met Greenway’s corner but the header just cleared the bar.

The break back occurred, however, on 52 minutes; Crosby picked up a loose ball some twenty-five yards out on the right and instinctively put it through to the incoming Stewart who calmly smashed it into the top far corner – another contender for goal of the season!

Kay headed over on 54 minutes but almost immediately Golcar had a chance of retaking the lead when Lassaire was left in a one-on-one with Wilton but fortunately shot wide of the post.

Norman had two close chances before everything changed on 78 minutes. Skarz played the ball out of defence straight to the marauding Stephens who calmly slotted it home from just beyond the 18-yard line to hand the Brewers the advantage for the first time in the contest.

As time ebbed away Russon shot wide from the edge of the Tadcaster box, Stephens was thwarted by keeper Kelly in a one on one, and the visitors clipped the wrong side of the upright.

Albion held on for all three vital points which sees them up to 14th in the league table.

On Tuesday night, Tadcaster visit Goole Town for another league match - kick off 7.45 pm and then next Saturday it’s the second round of the FA Cup when Vanarama National North League Chester come calling (12.30pm).

Tadcaster Albion: Wilton, Hardcastle (Owen), Roper, McDaid ©, Qualter, Kitchen, Stewart (Stephens), Kay (Ibrahimi), Crosby (Morris), Greenway (Slater), Norman