FA Vase: Tadcaster beaten by Albion Sports on penalties after 1-1 draw

With just one point separating the sides in the league table ahead of kick-off, the match had all the hallmarks of a battle Royale.

But despite the hosts seeing out the match with 10 men after Ryan Conlon’s red card, the penalty lottery fell their way to send them into the third qualifying round.

Albion Sports had the first chance on 11 minutes when Nathan Cartman beat the offside trap, but Brewers captain Charlie Owen read the situation perfectly with a well-timed interception. 

Thomas Ponter had their next opportunity on the quarter-hour but on-loan defender Conor Qualter quickly narrowed the gap to avert the danger.

Sumaili Cisse was first into the referee’s book with a foul on Owen whilst Cartman saw his opportunist effort from an acute angle hit the outside of the upright on the half hour. 

Dominic Staunton also tried his luck with an optimistic 40-yard effort but could not find a breakthrough.

Having soaked up the pressure with some dogged defending, Tadcaster had their first real chance on 40 minutes when Elliot Holmes put Kieran Greenway racing in behind but, under pressure, his cross was cleared for a corner.

Elliot Andrew then sent an inch-perfect pass through to Albert Ibrahimi but his shot was blocked. 

Nevertheless, on 43 minutes Ibrahimi was fouled by Faulding, the free kick from Greenway dropping to Andrew who smashed it home in off the post to put the visitors in front.

Albion Sports came straight back looking for a quick equaliser but were thwarted as James Knowles threw himself at Cartman’s shot before Sam Green gathered the ball safely.

It was a tight first half but Tadcaster just about deserved their slender lead at the interval.

Faulding’s effort on the restart cleared the bar before Tadcaster had two failed attempts to clear a dangerous free kick on 50 minutes but were saved by the offside flag. 

Hussain shot wide from 25 yards before on 59 minutes the hosts made a triple substitution. A minute later, a short corner fell to Andrew but he sliced wide.

Tadcaster’s slight reshape in the second half was working well and keeping the hosts at bay. 

And in the 67th minute, Ben Tweed, having battled for possession, found Greenway waiting - he in turn chipped the ball into the danger area for Andrew who fired straight at Porter in the home net. 

Albion retaliated immediately with a long throw picked up by substitute Walker whose fierce shot was inches wide.

With a quarter hour remaining Ibrahimi had another chance but it needed a quick shot to maximise the chance of doubling the score.

Conlon was then sent off for a dangerous foul on Tweed which should have relieved the pressure on the Brewers.

Sam Kitchen was introduced for Ibrahimi to boost the midfield and with five minutes remaining Mason Wilson’s long-range bullet was well taken by Porter.

However, with just three minutes left to play, the hosts were awarded a penalty following Knowles’ foul on Ellis Wade, with Staunton making no mistake from the spot to level the scores. 

Even at that late stage there was a chance for the visitors. Greenway’s cross was spilled but there was nobody there to turn the ball home, whilst his next shot was blocked following a defence splitting ball from Kitchen.

But in the end, the cup tie had to be settled on penalties.

Tadcaster started well with a brilliant save from Sam Green, but Andrew then cleared the bar with the next shot. 

It remained even until Porter, saved from Tweed, the Lions going through 5- 4.

With the early exits from both the FA Cup and FA Vase, plus last week’s defeat to Horbury Town in the NCEL League Cup, Tadcaster must now concentrate on the league, in which they host Parkgate on Tuesday evening (7:45pm).