Tadcaster Albion earned a 1-1 draw with Lancaster City in the FA Cup first qualifying round to force a replay tomorrow 8th September at the Young Guns Arena. The two teams had not met for nine years when they were both in the Northern Premier North, both results in favour of the “Dolly Blues” . Lancaster currently play in the Northern Premier League which now separates the clubs by two divisions.

A warm afternoon at the Giant Axe stadium saw Tadcaster get off to the better start out of the two teams, and in the first ten minutes had a couple of passes to test the backline.
Lancaster started getting into the game after the 12th minute with an opportunity falling to forward Steven Yawson at the back post but his effort sailed safely over the crossbar.

Just four minutes later the Brewers were tested once again with a corner headed on target but cleared off the line by Ryan Gothard who again came to the rescue with an inch perfect sliding challenge to prevent a breakaway. Unfortunately, that was the end to his involvement after an exceptional start and clearly struggling after the challenge, he was substituted off for Lewis Binns.

With the pressure now on the visitors Dylan Moonan’s header was acrobatically kept out by Harry Stead whilst the Taddy shot stopper again did well to push Charlie Bailey’s low drive to safety.

With 26 minutes gone a ball into the box caused problems and, in a scramble to clear it away Alex Clark was judged to have fouled his man giving Lancaster a penalty, blasted beyond Stead by captain Sam Bailey. 1 – 0.

The game slowed down after the goal with Stead saving a couple of good chances to keep the game 1-0 heading into the end of the half.

Three minutes after the restart Lancaster had the first chance of the half with a half-volley that was well saved by Stead, who then did well with another couple of efforts on goal coming from dangerous corners. Just after the hour Lancaster for a second time of the afternoon had an effort cleared off the line by Alex Zachariou after Stead was beaten.

With 16 minutes left a long ball found Olly Green who had been pushing the backline all afternoon into getting a chance; he muscled his way past his marker and rolled the ball past the oncoming Brad Kelly in the Lancaster net, levelling the game at 1-1.

Tadcaster had a free kick just glide over the crossbar from Adam Porritt from twenty-five yards out whilst In the final eight minutes the Lancaster attackers had two chances to win the game with both deciding to pass rather than shoot and the chances dissipating.

Nick Thompson picked up the only booking of the game after he was judged to have obstructed the restart for a free kick but the game came to a close just a minute later with Tadcaster having earnt a replay at the Young Guns Arena on Tuesday 8th September with kick off set for 7:45pm: the winner of the tie will face Bradford Park Avenue away on the 19th September

Next Saturday the long away trips continue as we travel to Carlisle City in the second Round of the FA Vase, but on the following Tuesday (15th ) we host Pickering in the league, KO 7.45 pm.

Starting XI: Stead, Porritt, Eastwood, Zachariou, Harris, Gothard, Norman, Clarke-Thompson, Green, Owen©️, Clark
Subs: Thompson(Croft), Roberts(Eastwood), Campbell-Baldwin, Croft(Norman), Binns(Gothard), Davy(Clark), Byfield

Report from Kieran Crook – Photos Courtesy of John Clothier