Tadcaster’s Josh Barrett takes on Bradford (Park Avenue) captain Jamie Price. Picture: Ian Parker
Bradford (Park Avenue) survived a late scare to reach the West Riding County Cup final with a 3-2 win over Tadcaster Albion at i2i Sports Stadium.
Avenue scored three first half goals and missed a penalty before a fightback from Tadcaster in the closing stages which saw Lewis Clarkson score twice.
The victory sets up a match between themselves and Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Garforth Town – a repeat of the 2009 which the Miners won on penalties at Fleet Lane.
The final is expected to played at Valley Parade in April – the same venue that held the final when Avenue last won the competition back in 1991 under Jim Mackay.
John Deacey’s class of 2015 are struggling in the Vanarama Conference North, but their 5-0 defeat at Boston United on Saturday was their first game in over a month.
So it was important for Deacey to field a strong side to raise fitness levels for the busy schedule ahead and all his big guns were named.
Tadcaster, who were hosting the semi-final because Avenue asked for the venue to be reversed, suffered their own crisis before the game as tough-tackling midfielder Danny Patterson was stuck on a train heading for York.
The former Shaw Lane Aquaforce player eventually made it to the ground, but had to be a half-time substitute for his own replacement Denny Ingram.
Avenue dominated the first half and the early warning signs were there as Chris Lever almost scored at the back-post.
The deadlock was soon broken. Richard Marshall’s break finished with his shot being saved by Pete Lawrie, but unfortunately for Tad, the ball nicely for new Avenue player Craig King to slot home.
Avenue, who had former Albion captain Ryan Qualter in their defence, burst Tadcaster’s bank towards the end of the first half with two quick-fire goals.
Chib Chilaka was the provider with the pass to Sam Patterson and the midfielder found the net with ease.
Poor defending allowed Avenue to hit the third goal. Matt Sparkes’ mis-cued dropped to King, who in-turn passed to Chilaka and the former Harrogate Town striker fired the ball under Lawrie.
If Tadcaster had any hope of getting back into the match, they were almost blown away at the start of the second half.
Sparkes’ rash challenge grounded King and Castleford referee Andy Smith had little option, but to award the penalty.
However, Chilaka’s low spot kick to the right of Lawrie was well-saved and pushed clear to safety to ensure Tadcaster lived to fight another day.
And they almost did with scenes reminiscent of the fightback in the 3-3 draw with Handsworth on Saturday in the final ten minutes.
Paddy Miller’s superbly flighted long ball was taken down by Clarkson, whose turn and finish demonstrated the reason why Bradford City took a chance on him last season.
The same two players were involved again for the 89th minute goal. Miller’s free kick from the right-wing was turned home by Clarkson and extra-time was a sudden possibility.
Avenue fans bit their finger nails, but there was little drama in their goal-mouth as Deacey’s men kept the ball well to wind down the clock and book their Valley Parade ticket.
Tadcaster Albion manager Paul Marshall:
“The positives we take are Lewis’s two goals at the end because they were absolutely quality finishes.
“We played a little better in the second half and got about them. They won all the second balls in the first half and to be fair all three goals came from individual errors.
“On another day they are all avoidable goals. It was a blow losing Danny Patterson.
“He was stuck on a train for four hours and didn’t get to York until half-seven. We rested a few and a few are injured so it was always going to be tough. We put Denny Ingram at right-back where he hasn’t played for a while and put George Bissett in midfield.
“It was a bit disjointed, but at half-time we put Danny on and moved George back to right-back and we looked to have a better shape.”
Bradford (Park Avenue): Danby, Pursehouse, Howarth, Qualter, Price, Lever, King (Hotte 67), Patterson, Chilaka (Barraclough 64), Marshall, Walker (Frost 64). Subs unused: Priestley, Colbeck.
Tadcaster Albion: Lawrie, Bissett (Milne 71), Miller, Claisse, Sparkes, Stimpson, Barrett, Ingram (Patterson HT), Ward, Clarkson, Dhesi. Subs unused: Morgan, Greening.
Referee: Andy Smith
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: 422
Man of the match: Richard Marshall (Bradford Park Avenue)