Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Garforth Town 0-1 Tadcaster Albion
Tadcaster Albion celebrate Tom Corner’s goal at Garforth
Tadcaster Albion can wrap up their promotion to the Northern Premier League tomorrow night after Tom Corner’s goal completed the double over local rivals Garforth Town.
Corner struck early as Tadcaster produced a throughly professional display to secure maximum points at Wheatley Park.
The title is Tadcaster’s if they beat Armthorpe Welfare at the i2i Sports Stadium on Thursday night. They may not even need to if Handsworth Parramore lose at Pontefract Collieries tonight.
Just like on Saturday when Tadcaster and Garforth met at the i2i, Corner was the key man. The decisive moment came in the 15th minute. The former Ossett Albion striker latched onto Josh Greening’s mis-hit attempt. Garforth’s defenders let the forward control the ball and ultimately gave him enough time to place an effort into the left bottom corner.
Garforth had several escapes, including a couple of moments where goalkeeper Dom Smith flapped at Tadcaster crosses. Ex-Premier League midfielder Jonathan Greening was inches away from doubling Tadcaster’s lead close to half-time, but Greg Kidd booted the effort off-the-line.
Tadcaster’s ability to grind out ‘ugly’ victories came to the fore in the second half. Their defence and midfield were rock solid and broke up the few attacks Garforth created.
Corner had Tadcaster’s best chance to kill the Miners off. He got to a long kick by Gary Stevens first and with Smith in no man’s land, Corner headed the ball over the goalkeeper. The ball flashed wide though.
Curtly Martin-Wyatt nearly caused a dramatic finish after breaking clear, but defender Gregg Anderson underlined his side’s solidness by getting back and adverting an equaliser.
The final whistle was greeted by huge cheers from the large Tadcaster support. The moment must have also been an emotional one for popular and long serving local referee Ken Haycock, who officiated on his final game as a man in the middle. Haycock is just sticking to his duties as a Football League assistant from next season.
Garforth Town: Smith, Alali, Simpkins, McCarthy, McCrum, Kidd, Robertson, Jones, Martin-Wyatt, Lund (Simpson 69), Harris. Subs unused: K Alali, Ford.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Barrett, Clayton, Milne, Anderson, Mycoe, Sellars (Black 83), Beadle, Corner (Stewart 79), Josh Greening, Jono Greening. Subs unused: Baker, Armstrong, Conway.
Referee: Ken Haycock
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: 337
Man of the match: Jason Mycoe (Tadcaster Albion)