Tadcaster celebrate one of their goals in the 5-0 victory over Brigg Town. Picture: Ian Parker
Tadcaster Albion put in another impressive performance as they recorded their second 5-0 victory – this time over Brigg Town – in a week to send them joint top of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.
First half goals from Matt Heath, Josh Greening and Andy Milne put daylight between the two sides and the result was rounded off in the second half with another cracker from George Conway before Greening netted his second in the final minute.
Albion boss Billy Miller made just the one change to Wednesday night’s victory at Athersley Recreation with Adam Baker in from the start in place of Josh Barrett.
With the attacking talent Taddy have in their side it was only a matter of time until the deadlock was broken you felt and twelve minutes in and the first goal arose.
Brigg would have thought that they had survived when they cleared Greening’s corner however the clearance fell to Jimmy Beadle who guided back to Greening and curled in a superb cross to the back post which skipper Heath used all of his neck muscles to flick over the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
As the first half went on Taddy were in complete control and it was a matter of when not if and one soon because two as Nick Black was slotted clean through however his shot was well saved by Ryan Ramsden but Greening was in the right place right time to tap in.
Baker was clearly also eager to get on the score sheet as in the 38th minute he struck the woodwork for the second time. Jimmy Beadle intelligently slowed play down and waited to allow him to pick out Baker who opened out his body onto his stronger foot and curled one which unfortunately had just too much on it and ended up connecting with the crossbar.
As the clock struck 45 minutes Tadcaster netted their third goal of the half to give them a comfortably cushion at the break. Another Greening corner, this one was a bit strong however Milne did brilliantly to keep the ball in play and Heath almost smashed in his second if it wasn’t for the amount of bodies on the goal line.
Best Eric Cantona impression? George Conway celebrates his incredible second half goal. Picture: Keith Handley
The Zebras cleared their lines again but only to Conway. Milne was screaming for it inside the area with both arms aloft and he couldn’t have asked for a better ball in to be honest. It curled in with pace and Milne read it all the way, got in front of his man and executed a stunning diving header into the bottom left hand corner.
As the sun hid and the temperatures lowered slightly the second half got underway and credit to our visitors they came out and played some good football having their best spell of the match. However having said that the Brewers’ defence were dealing with anything thrown at them and were cutting attacks out before they had chance to materialise.
Just six minutes into the second half and Taddy should have made it number four as Greening broke the offside trap, rounded the goalkeeper but took it slightly too far and wide so ended up holding and squaring to Black who struck from the penalty spot but unfortunately was off target.
Albion were getting closer and closer to a fourth goal of the day as Liam Ormsby won his battle in midfield and sent substitute Josh Barrett through on goal however the ball seemed to run away from him slightly as he tried to poke one under goalkeeper Ramsden but it was saved.
The Zebras did continue to battle the Brewers though and kept it at 3-0 until the 79th minute and with that being said, there wasn’t a lot you could do about this goal. One superb goal in a week clearly wasn’t enough for Conway as he dribbled into the penalty area before checking and looking up and then executing the most delicious chip which perfectly flew over the goalkeeper to nestle into the far corner. The goal was like Eric Cantona’s famous strike against Sunderland in 1996 and so was the celebration as Conway didn’t go running off but quite simply stood there and admired with his hands on his hips.
Taddy weren’t quite done there as they made it a handful of goals for the afternoon as substitute and new signing Dan Clayton delivered the perfect cross to Greening who couldn’t miss as he headed in from a couple of yards and scores his second of the match to round off a perfect day and a perfect week.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Miller, Milne, Heath (captain), Ormsby, Greening, Beadle (Claisse 61), Black (Clayton 61), Conway, Baker (Barrett 75). Subs not used: Romario Vieira & Beeston.
Thanks to Jay Taylor from Tadcaster Albion for this report.