Dan Clayton in action for Tadcaster during their victory over Staveley. Picture: Ian Parker
A gritty performance by Tadcaster Albion was enough to beat Staveley Miners Welfare 2-0 at the i2i Sports Stadium.
Andy Milne was on the scoresheet again and his effort was followed up by Adam Baker, who came off the bench to wrap up the three points.
Brewers boss Billy Miller rotated the squad slightly and made three changes to the side that beat Brigg Town 5-0 on Saturday with Tom Claisse, Dan Clayton and Josh Barrett coming in for Baker, Nick Black and Jimmy Beadle.
It was a gloomy evening in Tadcaster however the mood certainly wouldn’t have been if all three points were taken as Taddy would go clear at the top of the table with Worksop.
The home side got things underway and had a good opportunity to get a strike at goal in the second minute as they won a free-kick 23 yards out. Liam Ormsby and Paddy Miller stood over the set-piece but the position favoured the right footer therefore Ormsby struck it however it smashed straight into the Welfare wall.
Jamie Brown was the bright spark for the visitors playing on the left-hand side as he looked to take men on with pure direct pace, however having said that Jordan Armstrong was dealing with the threat impeccably.
With the Brewers dominating possession as they like to do popping it about on a slick surface it wasn’t really getting them anywhere with no real chances being carved out. Barrett’s good run and cross couldn’t be met by Clayton and then Greening’s clever flick to George Conway saw the former Huddersfield Town man blast comfortably over the mark.
The first clear cut chance of the match arose in the 37th minute as Clayton, who was making his first start for Taddy turned one way and then the other and then chipped a perfect ball over the top to Greening who controlled and fired goal wards only to be saved by Chris Butt in the Staveley goal.
Although, right on the stroke of half-time Tadcaster took the lead after a cagey first 45. A corner whipped in from the right by Greening was met and bravely bundled in by Milne making it two in two for the defender.
Taddy continued where they left off in the first half, bright in sparks but not creating any clear cut opportunities. Staveley on the other hand were having their counter attacks with pace but creating virtually nothing to date.
The Brewers’ first effort at goal of the half came eleven minutes in with Barrett again getting to the by-line and delivering to Clayton who looked up but unfortunately struck over from the penalty spot.
Mid-way through the second half and the goal scoring machine that is Milne almost scored a second of the net as Greening curled in an inviting free-kick to which Milne rose highest and glanced narrowly off target.
Adam Baker replaced Josh Barrett who picked up a slight knock and Baker was the man to wrap up the win and the points for the Brewers.
It was third time lucky for the substitute as he had two good chances prior to his goal in which he squandered both but in the final moments of the match, another sub Beadle played a lovely lob over the Welfare defence to set Baker away and completely clean through on goal who didn’t miss this time as he smashed the ball into the back of the net in front of the Taddy faithful.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Miller, Heath, Milne, Ormsby, Barrett, Claisse, Greening, Conway, Clayton. Sub unused: Black.
Referee: Andy Smith
Attendance: 287
Thanks to Jay Taylor from Tadcaster Albion for this report.