TADCASTER ALBION 0 SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC 1.OFFICIAL REPORT FROM WEBSITE.
Brian France had to make more changes to his back line due to Kevin Milner unavailable due to work commitments, Carl Wood replaced Ryan Davies on the right side of defence with Craig Evans asked to shore up the left hand side. Mark Griffin was asked once again to play a forward role with Craig Hogg still not 100% fit, Dave Thompson covering his right wing duties.
The pitch having taken a lot of rain was not conducive of Brazilian style total football; Boro would have to adapt a more workman like performance if they were to be successful at Ings Lane. The inevitable sliding tackles were flying in on the slippery surface from early on, Gary Hepples was the first one to miss-time his challenge earning him an early yellow card. Scarborough were hoping to replicate the final minutes of the Yorkshire Amateur game, Scott Phillips breaking down the left, crossing only to see Thompsons header go wide. Tadcaster were better value for money than their recent results suggest former Scarborough FC player Alan Kamara's son Chris putting in a dangerous cross forcing Dave Bramley to palm the ball to safety. Boro were having the better of the play despite the levelling nature of the conditions, Craig Evans was taking his chance to show what he could do breaking from deep to deliver a dangerous cross.
Richard Medcalf had the best chance of the half receiving the ball on the edge of the Tadcaster penalty area, his shot on the turn just over the bar. Then disaster for Dave Thompson as he suffered a badly gashed knee just before half time, the game stopped to stretcher the midfielder off the pitch awaiting an ambulance, an injury that will keep him out of action for sometime. Overall Boro were on top but still suffering from first half fever, given that it only takes 16 minutes to score 5 goals, 45 was theoretically more than enough.
France's half time team talk didn't have the usual effect with the pitch conditions halting any form of sustained possession for either side. Scarborough did make the breakthrough when Medcalf was taken down in the box by ex-Boro man Darren Thornton. Scott Phillips maintained his 100% record from the spot slotting home his 7th penalty of the season to bring his total goal tally to 14. As play resumed The Brewers were right down the other end of field and could have had a penalty of their own, Michael Vickers tackled in the area but appeals all turned away. Boro didn't really find any momentum after the goal and were able to build on the lead, shots from both Griffin and Hepples failed to trouble the keeper.
It was then Scarborough's turn to weather the storm as Tadcaster came looking for the equaliser. Craig Evans was showing skills both in attack and defence as needed to be as he dispossessed Vickers in the area before he could pull the trigger. As the pressure mounted Darren Thornton was offered a chance to level from a free kick, Bramley opted to punch rather than hold not taking any risks. Dave Bramley would be the hero of the evening when Charles Wrigley's header seemed destined for goal; the Boro keeper flew across his area as if from nowhere to turn the ball away and retain the lead. Substitute Danny Pitts had his side's final chance to claim a point from the fixture when his shot was cleared off the line from a well placed Graham Botham.
Boro showed the resilience to hold onto their lead and claim all the points without being very pretty, the weather prevented dazzling football but Boro did all that was needed in the face of a stubborn Tadcaster side. Gary Hepples was always going to be effective in the conditions, his style of play meant that he was never too far from tackle. Hopefully on a more favourable Queensgate surface France will have his men playing the type of football needed make it 3 wins on the bounce; this fixture is promotion game on or game over.
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