With their play-off position confirmed, Tuesday evening saw the Brewers just over the Lancashire border at Barnoldswick for a semi-final in the West Riding County Cup. The “Barlick’s” play in the top division of North West Counties Premier Division (the same level as Northern Counties East Premier) and although twentieth in their league position, this would be another stern test. Playing conditions were good.

It was a blistering start from Albion who took the lead in the fourth minute. Olly Green outpaced the full back and as keeper Brennand got a foot to the ball it spiralled high above the six-yard box for Miguel Cassama to nod home. 0 - 1

Green won a corner right after the restart but his header from Curtis Senior’s cross was just wide. A minute later Cassama got on the end of another corner but having taken the ball across the area there was nobody there to convert it.

The hosts had their first attack on eight minutes bringing out an acrobatic dive from Ally Hughes but the pressure on the home side continued unabated; on fifteen minutes Tadcaster doubled their score after a superb run down the left flank from Charlie Owen and a teasing ball across the goal that Matty Mulhearn could not miss. 0 – 2.

The pressure from the visitors continued: Cassama went just wide on 18 minutes and almost straightaway had another chance, but Brennand was ready for the tap in. Nevertheless, an early third goal looked inevitable and duly arrived on twenty minutes after a classic “one - two” between Green and Owen saw the latter fire home from the edge of the box. 0 – 3.

Owen had another chance just after the restart but was the wrong side of the upright whilst Cassama headed Senior’s corner wide. However, just before the half hour mark it was clear that Spencer Harris was in some discomfort and would take no further part in the game, Andy Shepherd took over his position in central defence.

Brennan denied Green, on a one on one, with a good save as the game resumed whilst on 33 minutes he chested down Billy Marshall’s pass but it was agonisingly wide. Ryan Qualter went close from another accurate corner courtesy of Senior.

At half time beckoned it was clear that Barnoldswick were really back in the game – tempers were raised and Owen was amongst three players yellow carded. Just as well Referee Hakimi brought the half to an end.

AS play resumed the inevitable changes were made as Des Okoro and Oli Norman took over from Owen and Cassama, but it was Barlick who was so close to scoring as Ally Hughes ran backwards just in time to tip the ball over. On the hour, the Taddy shot stopper made a brilliant flying save to maintain the Brewers lead . A dubious Barnoldswick cry for a penalty was dismissed by the referee. With twenty minutes to go, a limping Marshall made way for Oliver Johnson.

With the home side looking for a goal, Green burst down the right flank but could not get the shot in whilst at the other end Hughes again was the difference between Hill’s flying header and a goal.

Mulhearn was replaced by Ashton Peltier with the end of the game in sight and as the it drifted into added time brilliantly headed away a menacing corner. Tempers were again on the boil as the final whistle beckoned . The last action saw Barlick throwing everything forward, but the final word went to Ally Hughes with a diving save to keep the clean sheet for Taddy.

The win sees Tadcaster Through to the final of the County Cup where they will meet last year’s winners Route One Rovers on Tuesday 21st April. Further details to follow.
On Saturday we have our final league match of the season when Handsworth are our visitors. Kick Off 3.00 pm Then on the following Saturday, 11th April, it is our Play Off Semi Final away to either Beverley or Sheffield. Further details again to follow.

Hughes, Marshall (Johnson), Senior, Metcalfe, Harris (Shepherd), Qualter, Mulhearn (Peltier), Clarke-Thompson, Cassama (Okoro), Owen © (Norman), Green

Report from John Clothier – Photos Courtesy of David Lindsay