Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Maltby Main 4-2 Tadcaster Albion
Maltby Main midfielder Lee Hill scored an unbelievable goal
Maltby Main put a roadblock in title-chasing Tadcaster Albion’s way last night at Muglet Lane.
A difficult night for Tadcaster was started by a long throw from Nicky Darker was headed home by the returning Lee Hill, after eight minutes as Maltby set a frantic pace in this important game.
On 17 minutes a tactical switch that saw Cameron Rigby and Lewis Bemrose switch flanks paid immediate dividends for Maltby as Rigby made some tremendous ground down the left hand side before cutting a superb ball back to the on-coming Ryan Carroll who drove home. Only minutes later a superb effort from Josh Nodder was well saved by Stevens.
At the other end Danny Rusling made a remarkable point blank stop from a Beadle header as Tadcaster looked to respond quickly.
Tadcaster pulled a goal back when a penalty was given for a foul in the penalty area. The spot kick from Jimmy Beadle was superbly saved by stopper Danny Rusling who pushed the ball onto the crossbar, but Beadle was first to the rebound to head home.
Tadcaster were pushing for the equaliser when Lee Hill picked up the ball on the halfway line, took the ball forward and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 35 yards.
The opening period of the second half was quiet with neither side threatening that much, although Tadcaster started to apply more pressure as the game wore on. With 80 minutes on the clock Carl Stewart scored a second for Tadcaster. Tadcaster then had a great opportunity to level the game but some heroic defending by the Maltby back line kept the one goal advantage.
With only minutes left Tadcaster Keeper Stevens misplaced a pass and Carroll was on hand to slide the ball home in to an empty net to secure a well-deserved win.
Maltby Main joint manager Spencer Fearn: “These lads never fail to surprise us, every time they go out on a football pitch they give absolutely everything for our club. We are a unbelievably proud of them and they have shown since mid-January what a good side they are.
“At the start of the season our aim was mid-table and we have exceeded this. If we finish 9th or above this year it will be our best league position for 18 years and these lads deserve all the credit. They are a group of honest, hard-working lads and an absolute joy to work with.”
Maltby Main: Rusling, Flint, Austin, Hibbert, Hill, Darker (Poole 60), Bemrose (Ballington 82), Rigby, Nodder, Hopewell, Carroll, Rigby (White 72).
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Barrett, Clayton, Milne, Anderson, Mycoe, Stewart, Beadle (c), Greening, Greening, Baker. Subs: Corner, Armstrong, Sellars, Black, Conway.