Evo Stik Division One North
Tadcaster Albion 1-2 Kendal Town
Jonathan Greening in action during Tadcaster’s defeat to Kendal Town. Picture: Matthew Appleby
Tadcaster Albion’s unbeaten home league record came to an end on as Kendal took all three points.
Manager Billy Miller made three changes to the side that played out a goalless draw with Goole in midweek. Michael Ingham missed out after injuring his foot against Goole so young keeper Charlie Murphy deputised.
Gregg Anderson returned from injury to captain the side and Josh Grant came in at left-back for his first start.
It was the visitors who struck first taking the lead after just six minutes. Stand-in goalkeeper Charlie Murphy flew off his line but could only clear as far as Sam Bailey who controlled and impressively fired into the corner of the net from all of 35 yards out.
Kendal were forced into an early change on a brisk Autumnal afternoon in Yorkshire as Charlie Bailey limped off with a groin injury after 12 minutes.
Two minutes later and The Brewers had their first meaningful attempt at goal as Josh Greening drove narrowly wide after sending a free-kick into the tall wall.
Despite being a goal down, Taddy were actually having the better of the play however the away side were looking much more dangerous going forward.
Substitute Thomas Kilifin had a good chance to put his side two up after sneaking in down the right but the forward stroked just wide of the mark.
With less than ten minutes to go until the half-time break Kendal doubled their lead.
Jason Mycoe tracked his man but was adjudged to have impeded the onrushing Thomas Kilifin.
Sam Bailey stepped up and struck the penalty kick with sheer power and precision to which Murphy got a strong hand to but could only push into the top corner.
It was clear from the start of the second half that Kendal were happy to soak up the pressure and hold onto their lead.
With that aside, The Brewers did begin the half with greater purpose and intent as Adam Baker and Josh Greening both saw their efforts held by goalkeeper Will Kitchen.
The second half was to be a case of if Taddy could break down the backline of Kendal who looked organised and strong.
As the attack versus defence game continued, Andy Milne almost pulled a goal back fifteen minutes into the half but saw his header/back effort stopped on the line by Kitchen.
Tad’s best opening of the match came in the 72nd minute when Baker was played in down the right-hand side and saw Kitchen off his line but the winger’s lobbed attempt was comfortably stopped by the stopper.
The introductions of Dan Thirkell, Conor Sellars and Liam Shepherd injected some positivity into The Brewers who did pull a goal back with two minutes to go when defender Milne cleverly flicked in Josh Barrett’s long throw.
But it wasn’t enough as Kendal held on to all three points as Taddy lose for the first time in the league at the i2i stadium.
The Team
Tadcaster Albion: Murphy, Barrett, Grant, Milne, Anderson (captain), Mycoe (Thirkell 63), Youhill (Sellars 63), Jonathan Greening, Corner, Josh Greening, Baker (Shepherd 80). Subs Unused: Jeff, Ibrahimi.
Thanks to Jay Taylor