Again, the players took to the pitch in near freezing conditions in the quarter final of the West Riding County Cup. There were several changes from the side which beat Bottesford in the Northern Counties East League last Saturday, but it was, nevertheless, a strong side fielded by Manager Ryan Qualter against the Division One promotion contenders. The Brewers keeper, Ali Hughes, made his return after several weeks out through injury.

In the opening moments Tadcaster had a chance when Jayden Clarke-Thompson put Olly Green away, but his shot was high. Railway then started to look the more dangerous of the two teams, Alex Burton finding the back of the net on 13 minutes but adjudged offside with Harris Eggleston going wide in the next attack. Spencer Harris and Joe Navier were both yellow carded for a scuffle.

Just before the half hour Ingham found the back of the net but again Referee Coller-Booth ruled offside. Navier missed a header from Eggleston’s dangerous cross.

On 37 minutes, against the run of play, Albion took the lead: Harris and Adam Porritt played a “one-two” before Jayden Clarke-Thompson squeezed the ball to Olly Green marauding on the 18 yard line before dribbling it between two defenders and side footing it into the corner of the net. 1 – 0.

Tadcaster started the second half on the front foot and had a chance to double their lead on 57 minutes, but the referee dismissed the shout for a penalty as Clarke-Thompson’s cross looked to be on its way. On 66 minutes, Des Okoro replaced Adam Porritt for the home side whilst Railway brought on Sam Clothier up front in place of Joe Navier. Almost immediately Lockwood was yellow carded for a late tackle on Charlie Owen.

With fifteen minutes of normal time remaining Holt found Clothier in the box, his shot resulting in a good save from Hughes who then had to block a close-range effort from Holt himself. On 81 minutes Clarke - Thompson almost scored from the edge of the box but it cleared the bar.

Luke Hinsley set up Green in the box, but Mitchell was perfectly positioned whilst as time ebbed away Tadcaster almost doubled their advantage from a pinpoint Curtis Senior corner which was cleared by Fin Darvill after Mitchell’s intervention.

Railway had the last of the action when in the dying moments Clothier collected the ball on the far side of the goal but saw his shot rebound off the upright.

A great game between local rivals sees The Brewers into the Semi Final of the County Cup where they meet Barnoldswick Town away at a date to be arranged.

On Saturday we travel to Albion Sports for another important league match. Kick Off 3.00 pm, whilst next Tuesday we welcome Barton Town to the Young Guns Arena for a 7.45 start. Barton are three points below us in the League with one game in hand – it could not be tighter!

Tony Howarth Golf Man of the Match – Curtis Senior. Attendance 159

Hughes, Owen ©, Senior, Metcalfe, Billet, Heaton, Harris (Cassama), Porritt (Okoro), Green, Norman (Hinsley), Clark-Thompson: Sub Not Used – Ibrahimi

Report from John Clothier, Photos Courtesy of David Lindsay