Red hot Tadcaster Albion striker Josh Greening, with the match-ball, scored four in his side’s 5-1 hammering of Retford United – four days after scoring a hat-trick at Handsworth Parramore. Picture: Ian Parker
Josh Greening sensationally stole the headlines again by hitting four as Tadcaster Albion blitzed Retford United during a sensational first half performance.
Even Paul Marshall described it as “one of the best” he had ever seen with ruthless Taddy romping to a 5-1 victory with all the goals scored in the opening 45 minutes of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division encounter.
Greening matched his hat-trick against Handsworth Parramore on Saturday and he bettered that with an incredible haul to propel himself to the Premier Division scorers’ chart.
Liam Wilkin, who had a late penalty saved by Tom Morgan, pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time for Retford.
The second half turned into an anti-climax with Retford salvaging some pride from a nightmare evening with a tighter defensive performance.
Marshall said: “It was probably one of the best (performances during a) halves of football I have ever seen at this level.
”We were very good for 44 minutes.
“We did what we needed to do and Josh Greening was outstanding.
“We got on the front foot straightaway and a goal after a minute helps enormously so the confidence was there.
“We pressed the ball high up the field and with a bit of luck and skill, Greening bagged four goals.
“I said to him before the game ‘go get me another hat-trick’, and Tom Claisse started laughing.”
Tadcaster star striker Josh Greening watches Retford United midfielder Ben Muirhead. Picture: Jon Knight
Action from Tadcaster Albion 5-1 Retford United. Picture: Jon Knight
For the majority of the opening half, it was men against boys.
Buoyant from their excellent win at Handsworth, Taddy were straight out of the blocks.
A mistake from goalkeeper James Hitchcock gifted Albion their first goal. Hitchcock was outside his box when Greening was able to place the ball home from distance.
Going forward, Taddy were electric and they exposed Retford at every turn. Paddy Miller’s cross from the left was sent in the air by captain Nick Thompson and Retford’s new signing David Buck accidentally headed the ball into his own net.
It was obvious that the home meant business. Retford were clinging on as Greening and Thompson both hit the post from close range.
As the game reached the 18th minute, Taddy were already out of sight. Liam Ormsby’s long ball sent Greening away and Taddy’s star summer signing kept his composure wonderfully to score with a low finish.
Retford were undergoing a nightmare that wasn’t going to get any better.
But, they only had themselves to blame as Greening was given too much room and he claimed his second match-ball in four days with a close range finish from Josh Barrett’s cross.
Greening added another to his remarkable tally with another cool finish after the half-hour mark.
The only blip on Taddy’s part during a brilliant first half was allowing Ben Muirhead to cross for Liam Wilkin to score from two yards as half-time approached.
Retford, probably aware that it was a damage-limitation exercise, were much-improved in the second half.
Buck, a recent signing from Shaw Lane Aquaforce, missed an open goal and Wilkin also had his low-struck penalty turned away by Morgan.
Liam Hutchinson was also denied by a fine save by Morgan.
Taddy did have chances themselves. Substitute Vincent Dhesi hit the post and Hitchcock made a brilliant save from Miller’s seemingly goal-bound effort.
Tadcaster Albion: Morgan, Bissett, Miller, Ormsby (Hope 79), Sparkes, Ingram, Barrett, Taylor (Dhesi 61), Ward (Chamberlain 66), Thompson (captain), Greening. Subs unused: Banks, Lawrie.
Retford United: Hitchcock, Smith D, Young (Swannack 45), Steadman (Tunney 45), Smith R, Buck, Cooper (Cairns 72), Walker, Wilkin, Hutchinson, Muirhead. Subs: Fuller (GK).
Referee: Jimmy Price
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 163
Man of the match: Josh Greening (Tadcaster Albion)