TADCASTER Albion suffered a hectic 5-1 defeat to title-favourites Emley at the So-Trak Stadium, with a rare visit from a helicopter after an injury to the visitors’ James Walshaw.

Despite the Friday rain, the pitch was in perfect condition as the Brewers faced up to the team with the best away record in the league.

Tadcaster were without Conor Qualter, Elliot Holmes and Mike Morris, all away, whilst Josh Hardcastle was still on the injured list. Junayd Cassius-Gill was in the squad following his return to the Club.

Albion’s first foray into the Emley half came on five minutes in a move started by James Moorby; Joe Crosby picked up the pass and intuitively put Olli Norman away on the far left.

Having worked his way inside the box, albeit at a tight angle, he screwed the ball beyond Declan Lambton and into the net.1 –0.

Emley came back immediately but Hiram Romero was equal to Gooden’s chip tipping it over the bar.

The equaliser came on 17 minutes when Tad failed to clear and whilst Romero stopped Pashley’s initial shot, Jerome was ideally placed to smash the ball home . 1 -1.

Norman tried his luck with a twenty-five yarder but with Lambton off his line, the ball was too high. A free kick to the visitors a minute later ended in much the same way as Cowgill blasted over.

The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute when Referee Scott awarded a penalty following a hand ball by Moorby, notwithstanding that the Taddy defender had been pushed in the back. Clegg sent Romero the wrong way. 1 -2.

The last action of the half saw Lambton push Norman’s effort from the edge of the box around for a corner.

The visitors were on the front foot as play recommenced and Tadcaster were very nearly caught as they played out from deep defence, Walker, combining with Gooden, but just off target.

However, on 59 minutes Walker made no mistake heading the Pewits further in front on the end of Gooden’s run down the left and pin point cross. 1 – 3

It went from bad to worse just before the hour mark. Just after a close-range, but off target, header from Dan Thirkell, Emley attacked once more but as Albion tried again to play out from defence, moving the ball across the face of the goal, it left Gooden with the simplest of tap ins . 1 – 4

Walshaw was introduced from the visitors subs bench, and his first action of the game was jumping with Dan Thirkell for a high ball but when the experienced striker landed it was clear he was in trouble.

Dan McDaid was first to realise the seriousness of the injury and waving his arms at the referee, play was stopped almost immediately. Medics from both sides were in action straight away but the game was held up for 15 minutes before the player could be stretchered off.

With play resumed, McDaid’s free kick sailed over the bar but then to top off a miserable afternoon for the Brewers, ex-Taddy front man, Nathan Curtis, scored from close range. 1 – 5.

Perhaps, to nobody’s surprise, the game was again stopped, this time for a Yorkshire Air Ambulance to land on the pitch, although it was subsequently decided that Walshaw could be taken to hospital by road.

The match resumed playing out the remaining 13 minutes and ended almost an hour late.

Emley have subsequently advised that thankfully Walshaw has no broken bones. The leg injury has been treated and he has had a number of stitches to the open wound. Everyone at Tadcaster Albion wishes James a speedy recovery.

Next Saturday, the Brewers travel to Penistone Church for another NCEL match.

Tadcaster Albion: Romero, Kay (Cassius-Gill), Moorby (Roper), Thirkell, Owen, McDaid, Greenway (Ahmed), Ibrahimi, Crosby (Stewart), Kitchen (Hines), Norman