TADCASTER Albion claimed the spoils in a game of two halves against North Yorkshire rivals Knaresborough Town.

First-half goals from Junayd Cassius-Gill, Olly Norman and Jordan Hines had given the Brewers a comfortable lead, but Boro fought back well in the second to bring the scoreline within one.

Albion were without the suspended Conor Qualter, Sam Kay and Joe Crosby for the NCEL premier division mid-table battle, but gave new signing Cody Collins his first start.

Fellow recent signings Jayden John and Joe Dixon were both named on the bench, whilst five ex-Brewers, including fan favourite Jake Rose, were in the Knaresborough squad.

The visitors started the better of the sides, with Joe Wilton called into early action to save an effort from Eddie Cass before Dan Thirkell cleared the resulting corner.

But it was Tadcaster who struck first with 10 minutes on the clock.

From the second of consecutive corners, the ball fell to Cassius–Gill outside the box, who launched a high swirling effort towards goal.

With Dan McDaid McDaid challenging with Maison Campbell, the on-loan York City goalkeeper could only watch on as the ball dropped into the back of the net.

Five minutes later, a free-kick was headed away as far as Jordan Hines, but his 20-yard strike flew narrowly wide as he looked to extend the Brewers’ lead.

Kieran Greenway was next to let fly on goal after Norman’s break left him one-on-one with Campbell, but the young shot-stopper was equal to it.

Wilton was down well to keep out a Knaresborough counter-attack, with Tadcaster then doubling their lead just after the half-hour.

Hines sent Norman away down the right flank before the in-form forward smashed the ball past Campbell from 15 yards with a classy finish.

But there was still time for the hosts to add a third before the whistle, a total misunderstanding between Cass and Campbell seeing the ball trickle to an unmarked Hines, who was left with the simplest of finishes after side-footing the ball into an empty net.

Jack Carr just had time to remind the Tadcaster faithful what they were missing with the last action of the half, but Wilton dived across the box to keep the lead intact.

It had been a dominant first half for Albion but Knaresborough had other ideas as the game recommenced.

Sam Kitchen was clattered in the box although referee Smith saw nothing awry, and at the other end Gregson’s shot was fortunately wide.

On the hour mark, Norman pounced on a loose ball on the left flank, rounded the keeper and from a tight angle put in a low shot to the far corner which skimmed off the post, with Knaresborough instead giving themselves a way back into the match.

Ex-Tadcaster and Pickering Town midfielder Rob Guilfoyle forced Wilton into a good save but the goalkeeper could do nothing as Gregson pulled a goal back in the 67th minute after capitalising on some poor defending.

That was just the impetus Knaresborough needed and eight minutes later they had two.

Wilton had produced an excellent fingertip save to deny Guilfoyle from a free kick, but player/manager Simon Parkes was on hand to prod the ball home.

The Brewers’ shot-stopper was immediately sin-binned in the aftermath as things threatened to worsen, but the hosts had Hiram Romero to take over between the sticks.

More drama was to follow, as Knaresborough thought that they had snatched a last-gasp equaliser, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Romero, handing the Brewers victory.