Jimmy Beadle equalises for Tadcaster at Parkgate. Picture: Ian Parker
Tadcaster Albion will be top of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division table at Christmas for the second year running.
That’s as Jimmy Beadle scored a dramatic last gasp penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw from Parkgate.
The Brewers had 14 shots on target over the 90 minutes and will still be wondering how they haven’t come away with all three points, but Parkgate deserve credit for their battling display.
Tadcaster chief Billy Miller surprisingly to some made four changes to the side that lost to Sunderland RCA in the FA Vase in midweek with Carl Stewart, Andy Milne and George Conway coming into the starting line-up as well as new signing Connor Sellars.The afternoon’s events could have been different if Beadle’s fourth minute header had not crashed back off the crossbar.
Conway was one of the four changes and the attacker had his first sight of goal in the 17th minute but his low shot from an acute angle was easily caught by Ben Brunt in the Parkgate goal.
After having a half chance, the aforementioned Tad man had a brilliant opportunity to give The Brewers the lead in the 19th minute.
Stewart was found in behind the Steelmen’s defence in an inside left position and the striker coolly pulled it back to the onrushing Conway whose side-footed strike from eight yards out was again stopped by Ben Brunt.
The home side then took a surprise lead in the 23rd minute. Ben Thornton clipped a ball into new signing Jordan Turner who fired low to the near post which snuck past Gary Stevens in the Tadcaster goal.
The home side started to become more confident as the half went on and they came close to a second with eight minutes to go until half-time as Turner was set free in behind, but the striker chipped wide after Stevens charged out and pressurised the number ten.
Brunt was keeping Taddy at bay as once again the Pargkate stopper pulled out a top save. Beadle struck a corking left-footed effort from the edge of the area which was well beaten away by Brunt.
With a minute until half-time, Tadcaster had another certain goal cleared. One long free-kick from Stevens was inadvertently flicked backwards by Wenley which flew nicely in behind and into the path of Stewart who diverted the bouncing ball past Brunt and towards the goal.
However, before the ball could cross the line it was hooked clear by Ryan Hall keeping Parkgate in the lead.
Chances came and went as Baker’s close range shot was blocked, Stewart’s volley flew over and Anderson’s header was stopped on the line as time ticked on and tension grew stronger.
It was primarily a case of attack versus defence in the second half however, with Taddy pushing forward that much it did leave them somewhat expose if Parkgate did get out and propose a counter attack. This they did in the 68th minute as Lebrun Mbeua broke clean through on goal but Stevens did superbly to charge out and thwart him.
Adam Baker, Josh Greening and Josh Barrett were all brought off the bench to try and unlock the door and break down a stubborn Parkgate side. Greening was straight into the action and had a glorious chance to equalise in the 73rd minute as a fortuitous ricochet led to the striker playing a one-two with Stewart allowing him to have a clear shot on goal, or not, as Reece Wesley stretched out a leg and got the slightest of touches to take it agonisingly wide.
With four minutes to go, Tadcaster finally had the perfect chance to equalise as they were awarded a penalty kick. Dan Clayton arrowed that same ball over the top to Stewart who cleverly flicked upwards to which was met by the arm of Wesley and the referee pointed to the spot.
Beadle picked the ball up and placed on the spot, waited, and hammered the penalty down the middle.
Even in the dying embers, Tadcaster still had chances to win the game.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Clayton, Milne, Anderson, Mycoe, Sellars (Baker), Ormsby (Barrett), Stewart, Beadle (captain), Conway (Greening). Subs unused:: Black and Thompson.
Thanks to Jay Taylor for this report.