TADCASTER Albion claimed the bragging rights in their local derby against Garforth Town with a 2-1 victory at the SoTrak Stadium.

All the goals were scored in a frantic opening 22 minutes in what proved to be an enthralling NCEL premier division clash.

Considering the snow and freezing temperatures that had postponed their weekend fixture, it was remarkable that the pitch was playable.

Tadcaster started on the front foot and could have taken the lead in the first minute when Olly Norman put Kieran Greenway clear down the right flank, but there was nobody ready to meet his dangerous cross into the area.

That proved to be a warning that Garforth did not heed, with the hosts breaking the deadlock a mere two minutes later.

Junayd Cassius Gill’s shot was parried by Harry Flatters into the path of the advancing Sam Kay, who unleashed a bullet strike from 18 yards into the back of the net.

Garforth responded quickly in search of an equaliser. Their first corner was headed away to safety by Cody Collins who then needed assistance as he went down after a tackle.

But the Brewers were not so lucky from their next attack, Charlie Marshall’s free kick carrying to the other side of the pitch, where an unmarked Jordan Emery was waiting to blast it into the net.

Norman was then yellow carded for a foul on Barkway as the home side kept up the pressure.

It wasn’t long before Tadcaster restored their goal-advantage with 22 minutes played, Thirkell positioning himself perfectly at the back post to head home Greenway’s teasing cross.

The midfielder again opened up the Garforth defence when he collected a loose clearance and banged the ball back into the danger area. but there was nobody ready to capitalise.

At the other end of the pitch, former Tadcaster man Sam Barker cleared the bar from a tight angle whilst Marshall tested Joe Wilton without causing any trouble.

The visitors could not have come closer to equalising on the half-hour, but Wilton produced an outstanding save at full-stretch to deny Connolly’s powerful shot from nestling into the far corner.

Five minutes before the break, Barkway returned the compliment to Norman and was duly yellow carded himself.

And the Brewers came within a whisker of a two-goal cushion from the restart, but saw Flatters somehow deny Dan McDaid what seemed a certain goal.

Tadcaster’s 2-1 lead at half time was a fair reflection of play, but the game remained just as end-to-end after the interval.

Marshall had another chance to equalise for Garforth with 50 minutes on the clock, but Charlie Owen was on him straightaway to quell the danger, before Crosby was played in one-on-one with Flatters, the visiting shot-stopper doing well to be first to the ball.

Kay was clattered from behind a quarter of an hour later, but Thirkell’s header from Ibrahimi’s free kick was a whisker away.

Josh Hardcastle made a welcome return for the Brewers on 67 minutes, replacing Norman as the hosts came right back into the match.

Crosby then squandered another opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, again Flatters getting to the ball just in time.

Josh Brodella was handed his debut with 15 minutes remaining, with Garforth continuing to threaten.

Substitute Jason Davis blasted over from 35 yards, before Barker saw his effort from a tight angle deflected onto the netting.

Barkway was sin binned for dissent in the last minute of normal time whilst the five added minutes saw Joe Dixon come close, but Flatters did well to avoid further damage.

Victory moves the Brewers up to 14th.