Tadcaster held to draw at Bamber Bridge

Evo Stik Division One North

Bamber Bridge 0-0 Tadcaster Albion

In a game of few chances, Taddy and Bamber Bridge played out a goalless draw at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium which enabled both sides to rise further up the table and into the play-off places.

Taddy made just the one change to Tuesday’s brilliant 2-1 victory over Glossop North End with Fatlum Ibrahimi handed his second start of the season in place of Rob Youhill who was unwell.

Also, there was a place on the bench for Dan Thirkell who was making his first appearance in the squad after recovering from injury.

Josh Barrett’s inviting through ball in behind Bridge’s defence was extremely close to being pounced upon by Josh Greening but captain Matt Lawlor just did enough to halt the attacker.

It was the home side who started much the brighter on a sunny Saturday afternoon and they had a very good chance to take the lead after seven minutes.

Josh Greening’s scuffed clearance was picked up by Stuart Vasey who curled over the Brewers’ backline to Glenn Steel who sprung the offside trap but couldn’t guide his free header on target.

Bamber pressed further for the opening goal in the first half and came increasingly closer to doing just that with another headed attempt. Jamie Millgan’s sweeping cross from the left was flicked narrowly wide of the left-hand upright by frontman Adam Dodd.

The home side were seeing the vast majority of the ball and having more of the efforts at goal but never tested Ingham as Kitt Gregory also failed to hit the target.

Taddy’s first shot at goal came ten minutes from the break when the nippy Conor Sellars struck narrowly wide with his weaker left-foot from 24 yards out.

Andrew Bell did record the first shot on target of the afternoon but the combined pressure from Anderson and Greening rushed the striker’s shot making it a simple pick up for Ingham.

The best chance of the half was probably created by Taddy and it was that man Sellars once again. Picking the ball up 20 yards out Sellars then left Steel for dead before driving into the box and firing inches the wrong side of the post.

The second half began in similar vein to the first with Bamber Bridge pushing hard but lacking quality in the final third.

The first real chance of the half and it was a difficult one at that came ten minutes in as Jono Greening switched play to brother Josh who cut inside onto his favoured left-foot and thundered a shot agonisingly over from 30 yards.

Bamber Bridge sent umpteen crosses and corners into the danger area, but Andy Milne and Gregg Anderson were absolutely colossal at the back once again dealing with everything thrown at them.

Tom Corner was given twenty minutes to make an impact on the contest and it was his flick-on in the 75th minute which gave Josh Greening the chance to fire goal-wards but the forward half-volleyed way off target.

Last season’s top scorer Josh Greening was asked to improve his work-rate this year and he has certainly done just that as he ran his socks off all afternoon. This was shown with 13 minutes to go as Greening tracked all the way back to his own six yard box to make a goal saving challenge with Milligan waiting to tap in.

After an uneventful second half, The Brewers had one last chance to potentially pinch all three points as referee Daniel Hitchell awarded a free-kick in a good position on the left touch-line.

It potentially favoured a right-footer to in-swing it towards the goalkeeper, but nevertheless Josh Greening lofted towards the back post but Anderson couldn’t head on target and Bamber cleared their lines and the points were shared.

The Teams

Tadcaster Albion: Ingham, Barrett, Jeff, Milne, Anderson, Mycoe, Jono Greening, Beadle (captain) (Binns 86), Sellars (Corner 69), Josh Greening, Ibrahimi (Shepherd 86). Subs Unused: Thirkell.

Bamber Bridge: James, Wilson, Hunter, Lawlor (captain), Steel, Vasey, Gregory, Potts, Bell, Dodd, Milligan. Subs: Livesey, Marlow, Linney, Doughty, Churchman.

Thanks to Jay Taylor for this report.