Referee Christopher Akers shows Shaw Lane midfielder Steve Istead his red card in a controversial second half. Picture: Ian Parker
Lee Morris’ second half tap-in earned nine man Shaw Lane Aquaforce a potentially crucial 1-0 win over title rivals Tadcaster Albion in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division last night.
A tight first half was followed by a explosion of talking-points in the second half of the much-anticipated fixture on a difficult pitch at Shaw Lane.
Taddy’s Tom Claisse was sent off for an alleged elbow before Morris scored the winner on the hour.
Aquaforce then lost Steve Istead and Gary Stohrer to second bookable offences.
But, Craig Elliott’s men held on to complete the double over leaders Taddy and to move into second place and seven points behind them with three games in hand.
The victory meant that the effort that was put in to ensure the match went ahead was worth it.
Volunteers had worked around the clock making the pitch playable.
The home side have been besieged by pitch problems since a Rugby Union game was played there in wet conditions at the end of November.
Shaw Lane had to play their December FA Vase tie with Shildon at Oakwell because of the problems the visit of Tadcaster was their first at the complex since the first Sunday of November.
From the sides the surface looks almost perfect, but walk on it you realise how wet and soft it is.
Neither manager was happy as it meant the two top goal-scorers in the league couldn’t play their attractive style of football.
The game billed as showpiece fixture for the NCEL wasn’t a spectacle, but the atmosphere was superb.
Tadcaster, as always, travelled in huge numbers and their supporters created a wonderful family atmosphere.
They never stopped singing, even when the final whistle had signalled a defeat for their team.
Shaw Lane had the lion’s share of the chances in the first half. Matt Thornhill and Shane Kelsey were guilty of missing good opportunities.
Tadcaster had a good period towards the end of the first half which ended with quick striker David Brown having a goal-bound shot desperately blocked by a Aquaforce defender.
Morris, who scored five at Maltby on Saturday, should have put Shaw Lane in front on the stroke of half-time after firing wide in a good position.
Quite how the second 45 minutes turned out to be so eventful is anyone’s guess.
Inside three minutes and out of nowhere, former Goole midfielder Claisse was back in the dressing room.
Referee Christopher Akers was Johnny-on-the-spot with his red card after deeming that Claisse had elbowed the experienced Istead.
Tadcaster Albion striker David Brown looks to take on Aquaforce’s Gary Stohrer. Picture: Ian Parker
Tensions were raised from zero to 100 in a second and Brown was soon cautioned was delaying the restart from the free kick.
The striker was one of five players yellow carded in a short period of time.
That was the only noteworthy moments of the opening exchanges before Aquaforce snatched the winner against the run of play.
With a man-light, Tadcaster were unable to deal with a Shaw Lane free kick.
Towering captain Sam Denton headed the ball down and Morris scored from inches out.
Initially it looked like an impossible task for ten man Taddy until the numbers were evened up.
Already cautioned Istead, making his first appearance at the Shaw Lane complex, stupidly left a foot out to stop Tadcaster counter-attack leaving Akers with no options.
Tadcaster heavily missed Carl Stewart (working) and Josh Greening (injured) going forward.
Aquaforce stopper Ben Gathercole had little to deal with and the visitors’ main chance came from a silly mistake.
Substitute Anton Foster gave possession away in a silly area which opened the door for Josh Barrett.
The midfielder must have breathed a sigh of relief when Barrett blazed high and wide.
As the game ticked over into injury-time, there was still time for one more moment of high drama.
Calum Ward and Gary Stohrer, who were once team-mates at Ossett Town, entered into a foot-race which ended with them both falling to the ground 25-yards away from goal.
Akers had to make another big decision and Stohrer was given his marching orders to set-up a nervy final minutes for Shaw Lane against a side that has developed a liking for late goals.
Nails will have been bitten as Liam Ormsby stepped up to take the free kick. Shaw Lane fans then cheered as the kick sailed high and over the crossbar.
That was Tadcaster’s last chance on a night that could be looked upon as pivotal at the end of the season.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Gathercole, Stohrer, O’Brien, Istead, Holt, Denton, Fox, Thornhill, Thornton (Conway 88), Morris (Foster 72), Kelsey (Danville 88). Subs unused: Darley, Callery.
Tadcaster Albion: Lawrie, Milne, Miller (Dhesi 81), Ormsby, Sparkes, Ingram, Barrett (Gore 79), Claisse, Ward, Thompson, Brown (Gray 64). Subs unused: Morgan, Hope.
Referee: Chris Akers (South Yorkshire)
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 365
Man of the match: Luke O’Brien (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)