Brothers in arms: Jonathan Greening, Taddy bear and Josh Greening after Tadcaster’s 6-0 win over Maltby Main. Josh (right) scored a hat-trick for the third consecutive game
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In a week that has been dominated by the Greening brothers, Jonathan and Josh ensured that the headlines were about them once again.
Former Premier League midfielder Jonathan made his hotly-awaited debut for Tadcaster Albion, while his younger sibling Josh stole the show for the third Toolstation NCEL Premier Division game running.
There was a carnival atmosphere as Josh, the league’s top goal-scorer, scored a hat-trick for the third game in a row to lead his side to a 6-0 win over Maltby Main at i2i Sports Stadium.
Promotion-chasers Tadcaster have been plastered all over the news in the last few days and the win, their seventh consecutive league victory, rounded off a memorable week.
Taddy boss Paul Marshall said: “It has ended up as a perfect day.
“With the publicity about the club this week we needed a win.
“I was slightly nervous before the game, but in the end it has worked out superbly.
“We got six goals. Jonathan hardly broke sweat and I loved the bit of tekkers in the corner for maybe the fourth goal.
“He mixed in with the lads and everyone was excited about playing with him.
“Respect to Maltby as well because they never tried to kick him up and down which I was pleased with.”
All the attention pre-match was on new Tadcaster midfielder Jonathan Greening (right)
Josh Greening heads Tadcaster in front on 40 minutes
Josh is congratulated by his older brother Jonathan
Perfect day: Paul Marshall acknowledges the chants of “Marshy, give us a wave” from the Tadcaster supporters
The older Greening was thrown straight in, replacing Terry Taylor, Taddy’s other veteran midfielder who appeared in the 5-1 win over Retford in midweek.
In that game, Tadcaster dominated proceedings. Marshall’s men scored after a minute and had blasted five past Retford within 30 minutes.
The visit of Maltby proved a much sterner test, certainly in the first half.
Mick Norbury’s hard-working side beat Heanor Town on Wednesday night and Maltby had their chances during a tense half hour.
Greening looked the part from the first whistle. His quality was clear straightaway. Sitting back in front of the defence, whenever he had possession, Maltby could not get anyway near him.
Maltby goalkeeper Ben Brunt had to be at his best. He had to make saves from captain Nick Thompson and Calum Ward as Taddy probed for the opening goal.
The home side were given frights from experienced striker Brian Cusworth and Liam Royles.
The deadlock would be broken close to half-time.
Josh Barrett was given too much time on the right-wing to shape for an in-swinging cross. He planted the ball into the six-yard box and the unmarked younger Greening nodded home.
Josh Greening scores his and Tadcaster’s second goal
Vincent Dhesi fires Tadcaster 4-0 in front
Nick Thompson goes past Maltby goalkeeper Ben Brunt for goal number six
From there on it was one-way traffic.
Brunt denied Josh Greening after the winger ran almost the length of the pitch before the decisive second goal arrived.
Ward’s pass opened a door for Thompson. The midfielder’s run caused Brunt to race and Taddy’s skipper squared the ball across the six-yard box for Greening to place into the open net.
Former Glasshoughton striker Ward was unlucky again in his pursuit of a goal with Brunt soon coming out on top for the third time.
Maltby were seriously running out of gas. Tadcaster’s young substitute Vincent Dhesi made an instant impact by making an excellent run and slotting a low shot into the net for goal number three.
With the points safely in the bag, Jonathan departed to large applause and left his brother to finish the job and complete a remarkable goal-scoring feat.
The chance soon arrived. Ward’s run on goal was ended with a foul by Reece Wesley and the penalty was awarded. Greening confidently stepped up and fired a low shot out of the reach of Brunt.
Tadcaster were ripping a tired Maltby side to shreads. Ward finally got on the score-sheet when he rounded Brunt before planting the ball in the net.
In the final moments, Thompson added the sixth goal. He raced through on goal and easily went past Brunt and scored his first goal of the season with a simple tap-in.
As Marshall said, it was a perfect day.
Tadcaster Albion: Morgan, Bissett, Miller, Ormsby (Claisse 64), Sparkes, Ingram, Barrett (Dhesi 71), Jonathan Greening (Chamberlain 76), Ward, Thompson, Josh Greening. Subs unused: Taylor, Hope.
Maltby Main: Brunt, Reilly (Lovell 59), Hibbert, Wesley, Smith (Barnfield 81), Lindsey, Mackie, Royles, Cusworth, Jones (Harris 56), Thornton.
Referee: Craig Hainsworth
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 293
Man of the match: Josh Greening (Tadcaster Albion)
Words and pictures by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)