TADCASTER Albion came out victorious in a nine-goal thriller against local rivals Pickering Town.

Tadcaster had the first attack straight from the kick off but Pickering then broke down the left flank with Omar Sanyang cutting in to test Frankie Shepherd from close range, with Nathan Dyer then capitalising on a spill from ten-yards. The Brewers were one down after just 29 seconds!

Albion showed true character as they hunted down a quick equaliser; Junayd Cassius-Gill had a go from outside the box but on seven minutes Taddy were awarded a penalty when Greg Baker tripped Olli Norman in the box.

The Albion's leading scorer Norman sent Wells the wrong way and the hosts were back into the fray.

It was to be a short-lived equaliser as on 10 minutes the Pikes were again in front.

A long ball from the right flank found Sanyang in space, as he expertly volleyed home from twelve yards.

Credit to Albion, heads never went down and within a minute they were level again.

Josh Hardcastle put a pin point ball through to Luke Stewart who skipped over the advancing Wells to level the score again.

There was hardly time to draw breath as Cody Collins found Stewart marauding in the box, the Albion striker hitting the ball on the turn into the corner of the net.

Taddy kept up the pressure and on 23 minutes extended the lead – this time an explosive finish from Joe Crosby seizing on perfect nod on from Stewart, now turned provider.

Danny Chapman headed just wide for the visitors on the half hour, moments before Norman went on a charge down the left but the ensuing corner cleared the near post.

Sam Kay put through an exquisite pass to Norman on 34 minutes, eventually going for a corner which sailed over the top.

With ten minutes remaining before the break, Wells did well to save Norman’s effort with his legs but there was nothing he could do when Crosby was clattered twenty-five yards out and Conor Qualter met Greenway’s inch perfect free kick at the near post.

The Pikes had the ball in the net in added time courtesy of a header from Chapman, but he was clearly off side and the strike did not count.

Heading into the second half, Cassius-Gill put an irresistible pass through to Stewart for a one on one with Wells and a possible hat-trick for the Albion marksman but his first touch took him too wide and the goalkeeper saved.

Pickering skipper Wayne Brooksby was denied by Hardcastle as the visitors battled to find a way back whilst Stewart had another chance on 57 minutes but again Wells was equal to it.

Dyer then unleashed a powerful shot which took a massive deflection but Shepherd made a brilliant save.

With ten minutes remaining, Crosby was so close as he curled a goal bound shot only to be denied by the cross bar.

Nevertheless, nothing could stop Greenway’s 25 yarder as he smashed it home for Albion’s sixth in the 82nd minute. 6 – 2.

Pickering clawed one back with a minute of normal time remaining when Shepherd was late coming off his line and was adjudged to have tripped Sanyang as he advanced for a one on one. Kieran Stares converted the penalty. 6 – 3.

Shepherd was then red carded for something said to Referee Atkin and Joe Wilton was quickly between the sticks for the home side. Greenway had the last action in five minutes added time with a free kick following Young’s upending of Hines who had just Wells to beat – yet again the cross bar rattled!

Tadcaster Albion: Shepherd, Hardcastle (John), Collins, Thirkell, Qualter, Kay, Stewart (Hines), Greenway, Cassius-Gill (Wilton), Crosby, Norman (Wilson)