TADCASTER Albion were held to a 3-3 draw against relegation-threatened Goole at the So-Trak Stadium.

The Brewers were on the hunt for a third consecutive victory in the Northern Counties Eastern League premier division, having already claimed the scalps of Pickering Town and Golcar United with matches facing postponements due to flooding at the stadium.

Mick O'Connell did boost the strength of his squad in the New Year, securing the signing of Ben Tweed on a permanent deal from Harrogate Town and with Luca Nelson adding firepower to frontline after recently returning from a scholarship in the United States.

Tweed was handed a first start, with Nelson on the bench, with worries of a replay of when Tadcaster played away at the Vikings earlier this season, as Goole came away with all three points which saw Joe Wilton red carded and standing in keeper Elliot Holmes conceding the penalty when he faced his first shot of the match. Any thoughts that this home game would be easier were quickly dispelled!

With only five minutes played the visitors took the lead through Curtis Davies who found himself unmarked just inside the six-yard area; making his debut for Goole having signed from Stocksbridge Park Steels, he calmly went for the near corner and despite getting a hand to it, Wilton could nor prevent the goal.

A wake-up call would be an under statement and from the restart Cody Collins cross flew just wide of the post, before Joe Crosby got in behind the defence but was denied by Goole goalkeeper, Jacob Rabone, whilst Conor Qualter met Olly Norman’s pull back but from close range it was cleared.

On nineteen minutes, Qualter met Collins' cross to the far post but Rabone tipped it over the bar.

It was constant pressure from Albion, met with stoic defence from Goole, but the Vikings could have doubled their advantage when Davies broke down the right for a corner which then fell to Thompson, who hit the woodwork.

It was Josh Hardcastle again causing problems on the right flank but his cross over the defence was met by Tweed and driven wide of the upright.

Sam Kitchen put Norman away on a run into the box but his pull back was just too far for the incoming Crosby.

Crosby was in the thick of things again on 42 minutes, as he worked himself into a one-on-one with Rabone but just as he let fly, the ball bobbled and sailed over the crossbar.

Just as it looked that Goole would go in to the interval ahead, Norman went on  a classic run on the right into the box and having rounded three defenders, thundered the ball into the far corner of the net moments before Referee Rose brought the half to an end. Quite inspirational timing and finishing! 

Tadcaster started the second half where they had left the first, Norman getting in close on 48 minutes.

Goole, having withstood the onslaught were getting right back into the game. Davies, in particular, was causing problems down the right. Robinson saw his shot from the 18-yard line clear the bar.

On 65 minutes Luke Stewart and Nelson replaced Tweed and Hines as manager O’Connell sought to re-energise the attack, and it almost worked straightaway but there was nobody ready to capitalise on Crosby’s pull back.

Disaster struck with 15 minutes remaining; Goole broke out quickly to put  Flanagan on a one to one with Wilton as the Viking’s captain coolly struck the ball into the corner. 

Junayd Cassius-Gill was on for Hardcastle as The Brewers threw caution to the wind and desperately looked for a way back.

It duly arrived in the 82 minutes courtesy of Norman who, having picked up a break down the left flank, took the ball into the box and gave Rabone no chance.

Then, just before the whistle for 90 minutes , Taddy had the ball in the net again but the referee was quick to stop the revelries on the basis that Stewart had blighted Rabone’s sight of Kay’s effort.

As if that was not disappointing in itself,  in added time Nicholson rose highest  to a cross in the Albion box and thundered his header beyond Wilton.

Still The Brewers refused to yield and with almost the last kick of the six minutes added time, they got their just deserts when from a free kick, Kay, again producing  a bullet header to give Rabone no chance.

Tadcaster next face Silsden in the second round of the Northern Counties East League Cup this coming Tuesday, January 16 (7.45pm), whilst next Saturday, January 20 the Brewers entertain bottom club Maltby in the NCEL back on home soil (3pm).

Tadcaster Albion: Wilton, Hardcastle (Cassius-Gill), Collins, Thirkell, Qualter, Kay, Hines (Nelson), Kitchen, Norman, Crosby, Tweed (Stewart). Subs Not Used ; Owen, Brodella.