Tadcaster Albion 6 City of Liverpool 1 FA Trophy Replay

A downpour greeted the players as they arrived for this Extra Preliminary Round replay between the Brewers and City of Liverpool FC. That said the pitch, as always, was perfect and the rain stopped in time for the start of proceedings. Taddy were without Donald Chimalilo for the first time this season, the young striker having a well-earned break. Adam Porritt was ineligible to play so Mitch Pattinson was at right back.

Tadcaster were straight at their opponents with a glorious ball from Alex Wiles putting Jake Day through but Paul Williams had read it well to avert the danger. Alfie Beestin found Kevin Santos in space who charged at the “Purps” defence beating three defenders before a pinpoint cross to Day who was close but just over the bar. On seven minutes Will Annan showed his pace as he darted through the City defence but Santos could not get a clear shot.

The visitors had their first attempt on goal on ten minutes when Jack Hazlehurst had a half chance but it was cleared before reaching Michael Ingham. Taddy broke away and Day hit a screamer from just inside the box – it took a slight deflection off Williams as he came in to challenge and keeper Aspinall did really week to keep it out of the net as he dived low to his right.

The pressure told with ten minutes on the clock when Jack Walters picked up a clearance, ran into the middle of the park and launched a stunning 25 yarder which Aspinall knew little about as it sailed into the back of the net. 1 – 0.

City of Liverpool came straight back with their first corner of the match falling to Williams but the shot was fractionally wide of the upright. Mitch Pattinson put Santos away with a long ball down the right but Aspinall was there first. Play was then temporarily stopped by referee Wright when Karl Clair was floored by a cross from Williams which caught him square in the face – not unconscious but nasty nevertheless.

Pattinson again opened up the Purps defence as he chipped the ball to Day for a one on one with Aspinall but the City shot stopper used his body to alert the danger. Andy Milne headed a dangerous corner away at the near post before he needed treatment for a cut on his right wrist but was able to continue.

On 22 minutes Elliot Nevitt s effort was deflected for a corner but the signs of an equaliser were all to clear as the visitors had their best phase of the match. On 28 minutes City had a good chance when Patterson, just yards out, produced almost an overhead kick but it was wide. There was a shout for a penalty waived away by Mr Wright. Clair then volleyed a good cross from the right but it just cleared the bar.

The pressure paid dividends just after the half hour mark; Hazlehurst crossed from the by line and as Tadcaster failed to clear, Nevitt managed to find space in a crowded six-yard box to push the ball over the line. 1 – 1 .

A clash of heads between Jack Walters and Jason Jeffries looked more serious than it turned out to be but the taddy full back certainly knew he had been in a collision! Otherwise it was now end to end play; Day put Alfie Beestin away down the right flank, he found Alex Wiles in space who crossed for Day now just yards from the goal line, but the header, under pressure, was inches too high.

With a minute to go to the interval The Brewers were back in front; Wiles put a dangerous ball across the goal line - it had eluded the keeper but when it fell to Luke Denson he turned it into his own goal. 2 – 1

City of Liverpool almost got the goal back in the final minute of the half as Nevitt ran at the home defence , cut inside, but was wide.

Taddy has just about edged the opening 45 but the match looked poised for a frantic second half; What actually transpired was as unexpected as it was a joy for the home supporters to celebrate.

On 52 minutes Walters went on a run through the purps mid field, beat his defender and chipped from the by line onto the head of Day who rose majestically to head it into the top of the net – reminiscent of the two players last Saturday at Widnes. 3 – 1

It was all Taddy now – Santos mesmerising through the centre of the park and Alex Wiles, dictating the mid field calm , decisive and accurate as he played a one two with Annan who hammered it home from 12 yards. 4 – 1 on 58 minutes

With half an hour to go Jake Rose was on for Alfie Beestin who had again given everything and ran his socks off. Substitute for the Purps, Jamie McDonald volleyed a cross on 62 minutes but Ingham anticipated well and produced a great save. Immediately Mbeka collected the ball and put a low cross to Annan beyond the near post who smashed it in from an acute angle . 5 – 1

Mbeka was unstoppable; two minutes later Walters put him away and this time he picked out Santos marauding for a simple tap in. 6 – 1, and four goals in 12 minutes – unbelievable!

Day lobbed Aspinall almost immediately from the restart but this time it flew wide of the far post but not by much. Dipo Olaosun replaced Annan on 69 minutes. Jake Rose shot over the bar and as we entered the last quarter of the game Olaosun put it on a plate for Day whose shot produced a terrific block from Aspinall.

Aaron Burn came on for Ingham on 77 minutes – some well needed League action for the young keeper.

City of Liverpool refused to let their heads go down but there was no way back – just damage limitation. For the first time ever, The Brewers had won an FA Trophy match!

You could not fault a single player – they had all given their best and played for each other.

Tadcaster meet Brighouse Town in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy at home this Saturday . Kick Off 3.00 pm

Ingham (Burn), Pattinson, Walters, M’beka, Evans, Milne, Santos, Wiles, Day, Beestin (Rose), Annan(Olaosun). All Subs Used
Attendance 271

Match Report from John Clothier Photos Courtesy of Mathew Appleby