New Selby striker Kingsley Wetherald congratulates Jack Binns after the first goal
Pre-season friendlies may count for nothing, but Selby Town have started on a positive note after beating local giants Tadcaster Albion 2-1 at a busy Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium.
Goals in either half from Jack Binns and Tom Chamberlain put Selby into a excellent position before Liam Ormsby’s penalty halved the deficit.
Despite pressure, Selby held on to give their supporters hope that the new Toolstation NCEL Division One campaign could be a successful one.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Tadcaster and their huge band of travelling fans. However, nothing can be read into the defeat as the players only returned to training three days ago.
New manager Billy Miller, who was unable to be there as he was attending his former striker Nathan Cartman’s wedding, will be unconcerned by the result.
Joe Thornton tries to start an attack for Tadcaster
Selby goalkeeper Jody Barford was a rock for his side
Joe Thornton looks on after being denied at close range
Jimmy Beadle was one of several new signings playing for Tadcaster
Stuart Rice returned to the Tadcaster team after a year out injured
Tadcaster had lots of possession, but were unable to show their clinical side. Selby defended superbly and vastly-experienced goalkeeper Jody Barford was a rock for them.
Selby have been back training for almost two weeks and it showed in the early stages. Binns had already forced a good save out of Pete Lawrie before he fired Selby ahead with a low drive in the eighth minute.
Joe Thornton went close for Tadcaster and Paddy Miller also had a free kick palmed wide as the first half wore on.
But, a former Taddy striker struck the decisive goal in the opening exchanges of the second half – Chamberlain the recipient of a comedy of errors.
Apart from the odd break, a lot of the last half-hour was spent in Selby’s half and hopes of a Tadcaster comeback soon became alive when Josh Barrett was hauled down in the box.
Liam Ormsby converted the spot kick, but despite lots of huffing and puffing, it was the only goal Tadcaster could manage on one of the warmest days of the year.
Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo:
“Today was a fantastic performance and the result went hand in hand with that.
“We worked hard and we have a good group of players who are willing to work for each other.
“I said before the game that the result did not matter, but the result was very pleasing especially because of the performance.
“I also want to thank to everyone who came down to the Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium today because it was nice to see so many in.”
Selby Town: Barford, Banks, Stonehouse, Evans, Mortimer, Hope, Ramsey, Binns, Bunch, Wetherald, Chamberlain. Subs: Stanforth, Matthews, Forrester, Parsons, Shipley, Day, Wolski.
Tadcaster Albion: Lawrie, Bissett, Miller, Claisse, Milne, Stimpson, Baker, Thompson, Thornton, Gray, Conway. Subs: Ward, Rice, Stevens, Brown, Barratt, Ormsby, Beadle, Heath.
Referee: Mark Findlay
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 201
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