REPORT | No Trophy Joy Again For Albion

An inspired performance from Bloods goalkeeper Chris Thompson was the stand-out as second half goals from Domaine Rouse and Sefton Gonzales continued Albion’s Trophy hoodoo.

Simon Collins named the same side that played out a 1-1 draw with Droylsden three days prior with attacking options on the bench limited with Joe Lumsden and Corey Roper both still on the treatment table.

After a lively start by the visitors, it was Taddy who carved out the first chance on 9 minutes when Pete Davidson dangerously drove into the penalty box only for his cross to be a fraction behind Lamin Colley.

Davidson was the driving force again two minutes later when he pinched off Phil Marsh unlocking a large amount of green grass. The midfielder nicknamed ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’ opted to slide Saturday’s goalscorer Casey Stewart in who cheekily touched through the legs of Sam Baird but his shot was straight at Thomspon.

Tadcaster were certainly the superior in the opening knockings as a tame Febian Brandy free-kick was the only attempt on goal from Droylsden. Incidentally, another great chance for the hosts came from the aforementioned free-kick as Billy Whitehouse dinked into an unmarked Aiden Savory but his header from eight yards was well pushed away by Thompson.

The Bloods’ number one was starting to become a real thorn in Tad’s side as he made an outstanding save from the resulting corner. Giant centre-back Harry Coates completely lost his marker allowing for a free run to the near post and he did everything right sending a powerful header towards the corner but that man Thompson once again was determined not to be beaten flying to his left and tipping onto the upright.
Not to be outdone, Taddy keeper Michael Ingham was then called into action making a super save to keep out Domaine Rouse’s effort after a lovely chip in behind from Brandy set up the one on one opportunity.

Nevertheless it was still Thompson’s goal that was continued to be peppered as a mistake from Baird allowed Lamin Colley to gallop in on goal but Thompson again came to the Bloods’ rescue with an excellent left-handed stop.

When Thompson was eventually beaten, either the attempt was off target or the flag was raised for offside as Colley’s tap in was disallowed before Aiden Savory struck narrowly wide.

Into the second half and Albion’s intensity seemed to drop a notch or two as the away side looked to capitalise. Sefton Gonzales stung the hands of Ingham in the opening seconds before Droylsden did in fact break the deadlock on 49 minutes.

Dylan Smith’s cross got stuck underneath Paddy Miller in the six yard box and his attempted clearance was fired into the back of the net by Domaine Rouse.

Taddy were already being made to rue for their earlier missed chances and it could have got worse if Sefton Gonzales directed his free header either side of Ingham.

Despite it feeling as though the game was slipping away from the Brewers, they were still looking a threat going forward but Thompson just would not be beaten. Casey Stewart played Lamin Colley clean through with only the goalkeeper to beat but again he stood tall to save.
The Albion fans watching on were trying to gee their side on as the replay reached the hour mark, Stewart slid Billy Whitehouse in down the right-hand side but he could only find the side-netting with the angle against him.

Just like in the original tie, Casey Stewart was involved in more penalty drama as it looked as though he was fouled in the area by Marsh who nervously pointed to the ball to which referee Ben Tomlinson agreed.

With Taddy pushing for a leveller, it left the door open for Droylsden to seal the win and they had a couple of brilliant chances to do so. First Gonzales sprung clean through on goal but he couldn’t find the target before Ingham flew to his left to keep out a Liam Caddick header.

However the Bloods did effectively wrap the victory up eight minutes from time as Sefton Gonzales turned in a rebound after Ingham saved a Caddick strike.

Lamin Colley went close to netting a consolation in the dying embers but nevertheless it was too little too late for the Brewers who will look back on the missed chances in the first half.

Credit to Droylsden though for the style of football that they like to play and we wish them luck in the next round.

Full-Time: Tadcaster Albion 0-2 Droylsden

Tadcaster: Ingham©, Barkworth, Hardy (Walters 86), Rose, Coates, Miller, Whitehouse (Barrett 84), Davidson, Savory, Stewart, Colley

Unused: Mycoe, Howarth

Droylsden: Thompson, Antoine-Clarke, D. Smith, Baird, Hollins, Brewster©, Daly, Marsh (Vidal 75), Gonzales, Brandy (Caddick 67), Rouse (Zibaka 90)

Unused: C. Smith, Dickinson